Summer concerts can be heard every Wednesday from 6 – 8 PM at Jazz and Blues at the Station in downtown Collingwood now through the end of August. Next week features the Joel Johnson Blues Band. It’s fun to gather, enjoy great music, and people watch. For instance, you’ll probably see lots of people in jeans, T-shirts, and athletic shoes, but every once in a while a women will come tottering by in 4-inch stilettos or a guy in western gear and pointed cowboy boots. You wonder how much they suffer the next day from their improper footwear.
It’s true that the wrong shoes can cause you lots of trouble. For instance, high heels put way too much pressure on the ball of your foot, leading to problems like metatarsalgia and neuromas. When the heels are also narrow, you risk twisting your foot and ending up with an ankle sprain. Friction from the rigid backs can lead to a bony bump called Haglund’s deformity on your heel, which can become red and inflamed. Finally, the change in balance and the way your bones move can throw off all the joints above them—ankles, knees, hips, and spine.
It’s not just heels, though. Flat shoes can also cause a lot of problems, too, especially if the soles are hard and stiff. Most ballerina-type shoes offer no support for your arch, leading to problems like plantar fasciitis. If the stiff soles don’t bend where your feet do, it can also throw off your stride. Although flip-flops may offer some cushioning, they are even worse than flats because the offer no support and you need to keep curling your toes to hold them on. Like heels, they can cause pain all the way up your skeletal system.
If you’ve had it with pain from wearing the wrong shoes, what type should you look for? We recommend the following characteristics:
- Good arch support
- Enough cushioning to ease pressure on your foot bones
- Bend only where your foot does
- Heels are less than 2 inches tall and a bit chunky
- Not too tight, with rounded toes
If you need help choosing the right style of shoes for your feet, call Abbott Foot & Ankle Clinic in Collingwood, ON at (705) 444-9929 and set up an appointment. We are always glad to do what we can to keep your feet healthy and comfortable.