Could your shoes be causing you heel pain?

Everybody loves buying new shoes, and showing them off as well! Your new pair of running shoes add another dimension to your morning jog, while a gorgeous pair of heels add a dash of confidence to that job interview you’re going to. Unfortunately, fashion trumps comfort when it comes to shoes for most of us. We only consider what looks good against what should be worn. If your shoes fit incorrectly or don’t provide enough support, it can cause soreness, pinching and even heel pain. This can affect your daily working and impact your otherwise active lifestyle. In this article, we will discover how different kinds of shoes can cause heel pain and how you can correct the problem.

Walking and Running Shoes

Sports shoes are of different types, designed to suit different sporting activities. There is never one specific shoe when it comes to sports – there are different shoes for long distance running and different ones for on-ground workouts at the gym. Then there are specific shoes suited to your level of training and the terrain you train on. Shoes designed for walkers and sprinters must offer good heel and arch support so that there is minimum stress on the foot as you train. This also minimises the chances of developing ‘plantar fasciitis’. The shoes designed to combat this problem are built to support, align and distribute stress evenly across the foot, so that the heel is not under pressure. A reputed sports shoe store will have different styles of shoes and be able to guide you on the ones you need to buy. If you want additional foot support as you train, you can opt for special insoles to absorb the shock of impact and reduce pressure on the joints. The right shoe lets you train harder without giving you the additional problem of achy feet.

High Heels

High heels are the modern woman’s go-to footwear for style. But high heels are high maintenance for the wearer – in terms of the pain and discomfort they put your feet through. Almost every woman today has at least one pair of heeled shoes, but they may be worn sparingly because they make the feet ache. The trick is to buy a pair of well-fitting shoes that are snug but which allow your big toe to move inside the shoe as you walk. When you buy a new pair of heels, wear both of them and walk around in the store – most of us have one foot larger than the other, so this is important! These days, you get special gel insoles designed for women’s footwear, and these can be worn inside high heeled shoes as well. The insoles are discreet and give you a weightless feeling, just like you get when you are wearing a cushy pair of sneakers.

Sturdy Work Shoes

We may not realise it, but most of us spend a large part of the day on our feet. From homemakers to police officers, many of us do a lot of walking and running around through the day. This means that most of us, especially those who are out of doors for work, must need sturdy footwear to protect the soles and heels. However, some kinds of ‘sturdy’ shoes can actually cause the feet to get tired at the end of the day. These shoes must be strong on the outside and cushioned on the inside, so that they can absorb shock every time your feet hit the ground. Gel insoles can also help those who are on their feet all day. As with walking and running shoes, your work shoes must also offer good arch and heel support so that the heel does not become inflamed.

So whether you intend to walk, work, run or go dancing, only the right pair of shoes can help you carry out the activity without wearing your feet down. Serious athletes are advised to change their footwear every five to six months. Rotating your different pairs of shoes also makes your shoes last longer. Finding the right fit is most important when you’re buying new shoes, and never forget to try on both shoes when you’re buying them. Insoles can also provide extra cushioning between your feet and the ground so that your feet don’t ache.