Foot-Friendly, Orthopedic, Comfortable and Fashionable Shoes

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By: jane baron

Heel lifts are used to correct both health and cosmetic issues. Uneven legs are fairly common but usually make no difference to a person’s health if the difference between the legs is less than ¼-inch. Anything more than ¼-inch should be examined by a doctor in order to prevent future complications in the back, hip and knees. In fact, uneven legs are often discovered only after a patient complains of back or knee pain. And no wonder! If your legs are more than ¼-inch apart in size, then each step you take is putting uneven pressure and stress on your body as it attempts to compensate for the discrepancy. For people with uneven legs, heel lifts or orthopedic inserts spell major relief. They give your shorter leg the extra boost it needs to be on par with its partner.

Heel lifts are also used by people who want to add a few extra inches to their frame. Many more men use heel lifts cosmetically than women. The goal is to give the person an extra couple of inches while allowing the mechanism behind this added boost to go undetected.

Heel lifts can be made out of cork, plastic, vinyl or wood. They are usually attached semi-permanently to the shoe with contact cement or tape. Heel lifts can be applied just to the heel area, or they can be an insert for the entire shoe. In this case, the inserts are tapered so that they are thin in the front where the toes are and increase in thickness as they approach the heel area. It is not uncommon to use a heel lift in the heel area only and then cover the lift with a flat, regular insole.

Although heel lifts usually reverse negative side effects of uneven leg length, they sometimes lead to additional health complications. This is generally true for heel lifts that attempt to provide more than ½ -inch of extra-height. People who use heel lifts need to be careful that their mid-foot is getting the kind of support it needs. They also need to watch out for foot injuries and deformities that result from the downward slope of the foot. Heel lifts can sometimes cause toes to be crammed into the shoe’s toe-box, which can lead to complications such as hammertoe, bunions and calluses in the metatarsal region. The risk of these injuries and deformities developing can be reduced by wearing protective socks.

Author Resource:-> Jane Barron works for OddShoeFinder.com,a free online website that helps people find mismatched footwear.Get more information on club foot, club feet or corrective shoes.

Article From Articlebliss

Bet you would like one of these…

When you step into the shower after a long, hard day, you can now take a seat and rest your feet with the Bath Butler Teak Stool from footsmart.com.

The compact, triangular teak stool will easily fit in most showers and has a built-in footrest and storage basket that pull out for easy access…which can also be rotated out from under the stool so you can put your foot up and store shower items.

Makes an ideal gift this Christmas for those with foot and lower-back problems.

15% off Drew, Aetrex, Propet, Orthofeet, and FootSmart Stretchies- Ends on the 11th

That guy must really H A T E his shoes..;)

Wandering the vast landscapes, ancient man had to endure hot sand, freezing snow and rugged terrain in order to search for food and other resources. Protecting bare feet from harsh elements made shoes an ingenious advancement. As time went on, shoes became more specialized and a variety of styles were created to tackle specific tasks that were to be undertaken. This led to the birth of the shoe fashion industry that created the demand for shoes that emphasized individuality, personal identity and social class.

It was not uncommon for an aristocratic woman in ancient Greece to have more than 20 pairs of shoes and a servant to care for them. This is no different than the stereotypical, shoe-obsessed Carrie Bradshaw character with over $40,000 worth of shoes but no place to live. British women spend over 1,000 pounds per year on shoes and 10% of British admit women to having at least 100 pairs of shoes. Even the obsessed realize that shoes are important to our health and survival. They know that poorly maintained or shoes that don’t fit well can cause pain, blisters and other serious conditions.

There are many reasons to ignore the pressure to consider shoes a disposable product including:

* Saving money.
* Making a very expensive pair last longer.
* Preserving a favorite pair that is no longer made.
* Reusing a pair for a younger child.
* The opportunity to donate your shoes when you no longer wear them.
* Keeping shoes out of landfills.

The basics of maintaining the condition of shoes depends on the materials used to construct them. Follow the guidelines below to keep your favorite pair of shoes in good condition.

1. Leather is a very common, durable, and aesthetically pleasing material used in all kinds of shoes. If not taken care of properly, leather is known to dry out, crack, and fall apart. It is recommended that leather shoes be periodically polished to maintain a healthy level of moisture. Polishing also provides a protective layer that repels water and dirt, keeping your leather shoes impeccably clean and presentable. Shoe polishing products are very easy to find, but if they are not within arms reach, petroleum jelly or castor oil are great buffers with castor oil providing more effective waterproofing.

2. Suede and nubuck are very similar to leather in look and texture but they are incredibly delicate and easily damaged by water. To prevent suede and nubuck from becoming damaged waterproof them.
When these shoes get dirty a soft bristled brush can be used to lightly lift away dirt. There are other products made to clean these materials such as a suede bar which is a product made of rubber used to rub out dirt marks like an eraser. But common household items like masking tape can be used in a similar fashion and are remarkably effective. Sometimes these materials get so dirty that the only way to clean them is to scrape away the top layer of the material. Consider using a shoe repair shop for this type of maintenance.

3. Shoes made of textile or canvas are not as hard to keep clean. These include your common sport shoes, tennis shoes, or casual walking shoes. These shoes are normally machine or hand washable which makes life very easy. Keeping your shoes clean in general will leave them in wearable condition making you less likely to throw them out. The only drawback to a textile or canvas shoe is that its durability is nowhere near leather. These shoes are produced with the intent of being a disposable product and they do not repair well. Taking care of them by interchanging them with other pairs of shoes will lower the wear and tear compared to a situation where they are used on a daily basis.

There are other generic methods of keeping your shoes in good shape. Using a shoe horn will allow you to avoid breaking down the collar of your shoe, which is the area that wraps around your foot above your heel. Also, a more expensive pair might make it worth the effort of finding a good repair shop.

Even those not obsessed with shoes can benefit by keeping them well maintained. You can reduce the environmental impact by keeping shoes out of a landfill as long as possible, you will save money and you will be happy to know that your favorite pair of shoes that are no longer made can be worn for years. Your shoes are vitally important in your everyday life, so there is no shame in taking a little extra care of them.

(c) 2008, Odd Shoe Finder.

Kent Basson is the founder of OddShoeFinder.com an online website that helps people find mismatched or single shoes. The site was created after Kent’s sister suffered a foot injury that resulted in her having to buy two different sized shoes. After searching the web, he discovered the problem is far more common resulting in millions of unused, mismatched pairs of shoes that can now be given away, sold or purchased at http://www.oddshoefinder.com

By Marnell Jameson, Special to The Times

WHEN Peter Valk, a race walker and walking coach, fires up a new team of walkers, the first thing he tells them is, “It’s all about the feet.”

Valk, 53, of Calabasas, walks 30 miles a week. Over the last five years, he has crossed the finish lines of 13 marathons to support Team in Training, a fundraising effort for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. (He is a leukemia survivor.) He coaches others to do the same.

“Shoes,” he says, “are a walker’s single most important piece of equipment. When you’re walking 26.2 [miles], you want a shoe that’s a help, not a hindrance.”

No one shoe is right for everyone. And, of course, a shoe has its limits: If walkers do too much too soon, they will get injured regardless of their footwear.

But the right walking shoe can save you some grief. Ideally, it should provide cushioning, support and just enough flexibility, and should also correct stride problems, says podiatrist Bob Baravarian, chief of foot and ankle surgery at Santa Monica-UCLA Medical Center and Orthopaedic Hospital. The right shoes can prevent or mitigate the three most common overuse injuries walkers suffer: plantar fasciitis (pain in the heel), Achilles tendinitis (pain from the back of the heel up the calf), and posterior tibial tendinitis (sore arch or inner ankle).

“Instability causes most of the foot problems we see. Something in the shoe causes the lower leg to be less stable than ideal,” says Charlie Hoover, co-owner of Phidippides, an elite running shoe store in Encino. (He’s been fitting shoes to walkers and runners for 27 years.) The proper shoe, he says, can correct 90% of those problems.

Plantar fasciitis usually occurs when the shoe allows the foot to roll in too much toward the center. To correct this problem, the inner edge of the shoe, in particular, needs to be firmer.

Walkers who suffer posterior tibial or Achilles tendinitis often need a more supportive shoe that keeps the foot from rotating too much from side to side.

The ideal shoe for you is one that supports your particular foot and walking mechanics. Here’s how to choose:

Work with a pro. Go to a store that specializes in running and walking shoes and has a knowledgeable staff. Tell the salesperson about any foot problems you know of, and what kind of walking you do in terms of speed, distance and surface. Expect to spend between $70 and $90.

Know your foot. If you overpronate (roll in), supinate (roll out), have a claw toe or hammertoe, a bunion or a calcaneus bump on the back of the heel (also known as a “pump bump” because it’s common among women who wear pumps a lot), ask for a shoe that accommodates your foot issues. Different shoes will emphasize motion control, stability or cushioning. Ask the salesperson which of these types of shoes he or she is recommending for you, and why.

Motion control shoes are more rigid, and have more support on the inner section of the shoe to help prevent feet from pronating. These are good for folks who tend toward flat feet or who are overweight. Stability shoes are a little more flexible, lighter, and are good for those who only pronate a little and so don’t need heavy support. Shoes with more cushioning are good for people who supinate, because their feet tend to be rigid.

If you have bunions or toe problems, you want a roomy toe box. Speed and race walkers sometimes pick shoes that have less stability, cushioning and durability, a trade-off they make to get a lighter shoe that aids fast-paced training.

Test for stiffness. A walking shoe should generally be a little stiffer than a running shoe, says Baravarian. Too much give in the shoe causes rocking and rolling that can stress tendons and ligaments in the ankles and legs. Fold the toe up toward the heel: It should bend slightly near the ball of the foot. Try to twist the shoe as if wringing out a wet towel: It shouldn’t twist much.

Look for dual density midsole. You want two types of dense foam between the shoe’s sole and upper. Walking shoes are like tires; you can have a good tire, but you still need built-in shock absorbers for a smooth ride.

Check for comfort. Walking shoes should feel great right out of the box. You shouldn’t have to break them in. In the store, you should feel no pressure points anywhere on the foot.

Check vanity at the door. Ladies, be prepared to wear a walking shoe a half to a full size larger than your normal shoe. You don’t want the shoe to be too wide, but you want it a bit longer in the toe area. Don’t worry about what the shoe looks like. “People come in with a preconceived idea that they want something not too bright and not too bulky,” Hoover says. “Color is irrelevant, and bulk in a shoe usually means it offers good support, which you want.”

Buy late in the day. Your feet are likely to be swollen a little. Bring the socks you plan to walk in.

Take a test walk. Most specialty stores will let you try the shoe on their treadmill or sidewalk. Take your time.

Need more support? If you’ve fitted your shoe carefully and still have shoe trouble, you may need orthotics, Baravarian says. Some orthotic insoles are available over the counter, or you may need to get custom orthotics by prescription from a podiatrist, orthopedist or chiropractor. Orthotics can add cushion, support or motion control.

Check the expiration. Don’t wait too long to buy your next pair. Most experts say after 300 miles, it’s time.

In the not-too-distant future, Baravarian says, shoe companies will take the guesswork out of buying walking shoes. As shoes get smarter, they will figure out what you need based on your walking and foot mechanics — and adjust. Soon, they’ll do everything for you but the walking.

Socks matter too.

So you bought a good walking shoe. Here are a few more tips for keeping your feet comfy.

• Wear the right socks. Look for synthetic, moisture control fabrics that wick away sweat; cotton gets wet and stays wet.

• Get the fit right. Socks should be thin and form fitting; avoid any that bunch up inside the shoe. Newer styles have strategic cushioning under the heel and toe and are thinner around the middle of the foot. Some now come with no toe seams, which eliminates another pressure point.

• Use antiperspirant — on your feet. To prevent chafing, fungus and blisters, spray it on your feet before your walk. It’s better than powder.

• Prevent blisters. When you feel one coming on, treat it with Body Glide. Available in a rub-on stick, this non-gooey, odor-free ointment minimizes the rub.

(Source: — “Walking in LA” Marnell Jameson, Los Angeles Times March 12, 2007)