ALL THINGS FEET RELATED FOR LADIES

Tuesday 31 May 2011

SHOE INTERVENTION FOR SANDAL SEASON

It's sandal season and time for a shoe intervention for the good health of your feet.  Many women seem to think that the style of sandal as seen in the image to the left will bring relief and freedom for bunions and hammertoes, when in fact this style of sandal will only exacerbate these conditions and contribute to further foot problems.

As discussed in a previous shoe intervention post, much like flip-flops, these thin soled sandals without arch support or protection from pounding on the pavement contribute to quick callus build up, cause the feet to pronate (roll inward), and aggravate existing foot, ankle, knee, hip and back problems. In addition to all of that, they don't allow you to walk with a normal gait - toes scrunch up, gripping for support as there is nothing to stabilize the foot upon movement. Oh yes, and then there is the extreme foot fatigue that comes with walking in this type of sandal for extended periods. 

These photos make you wonder about
the intelligence of the individuals
wearing these sandals and what
happened to their self-respect.

Below is an example of one of the
ways you can develop claw toes or
hammertoes.
Now the aesthetics - if the above information doesn't deter you from wearing this style of sandal, how about the extreme grotesqueness of how bunions and toe deformities are displayed in them. These sandals are in fashion, but they are not a smart  or attractive choice. The same applies to the high heel version, including all of the points above.



SANDAL TIPS
  • Look for sandals that offer some arch support and cushioning in the footbed 
  • Avoid strappy sandals that cut across the bunions, put pressure on them, or allow them to poke out between straps
  • A strap over the instep will hold the foot back against the heel and prevent it from slipping forward, and will also prevent the heel from slipping out (note, flimsy straps on ill fitting sandals won't do the job)
  • The shape of the sandal should be as close to the shape of your foot as possible
  • Sandals for extensive walking should have arch support and shock absorbing soles
  • Avoid extreme heel heights - but if you won't, then at least avoid walking in them for extended periods, or consider platforms or wedge heels as they take some pressure off the balls of the feet 

If you haven't already, check out this post: Celebrity Feet, A Shocking Eye-Opener.

Coming in the next post, tips on how to camouflage bunions with the right style of sandal and maintain some dignity . 

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