Choose the RIGHT shoes!

         Look around any crowded city street and you'll see plenty of footwear that is unkind to our feet. Do you see those stiletto heels and platform shoes? It's no wonder that foot pain is such a common complaint I hear from our community members and patients. The REAL problem is… it’s not just your feet that are hurting! Improper footwear places strain on the knees, hips and back. Your feet serve three purposes: support, locomotion and shock absorption. When shopping for shoes CHOOSE a shoe that will support your body by following these simple guidelines:

 

Leave the High-Heels Behind

Women this one is for you! The higher the heel on your shoe, the greater the amount of stress placed on your forefoot. High-heeled shoes can contribute to the collapse of one or more of the foot's three arches. These shoes also place undue stress on the ankle, which can lead to ankle instability and sprains. Plus, when you wear high heels your calf muscles shorten.  So when a woman alternates between high heels and flat shoes the calf muscles will go through a constant shorten and lengthen cycle. This process can lead to pelvic imbalances and low back pain.

Consider Orthotics

I highly recommend getting custom orthotic foot supports. There are two kinds of orthotics: the simple, commercially-made insoles that are available at shoe stores, and custom formed orthotics. A custom orthotic is superior to the store bought standard since they are tailored to your individual foot. The custom formed orthotic is designed to correct YOUR particular imbalances. These orthotics are created by making an impression of each foot called a cast, and then correcting for specific misalignment's. A custom orthotic helps to prevent dysfunction of the lower body, legs, and decreases spinal stress.

At Chiropractic USA we work with a lot of athletes and long distance runners. We have noticed their focus on peak performance and because of that most have custom orthotics for every shoe they own.  I believe that everyone should have custom orthotics to reduce stress on the feet, knees, hips, and entire spine. In addition, anyone that is on their feet should make sure their shoe and foot support are right for their own body.

Ask us about getting custom support orthotics made to support your adjustments and overall spinal HEALTH.