Humans walk about 5 times the circumference of the Earth in an average lifetime. Yet we rarely pay attention to our feet and shoes, despite the fact that they bear the weight of the entire body and are the primary movers of the human body.
The most important thing to look for in a shoe is stability. Running requires good stability and cushioning throughout the full range of motion. Next, the shoe should provide for an easy push-off phase (basically the off phase of running). Lastly, it should be snug enough, especially around the heel and midfoot, with some room to wiggle the toes off for your comfort.
Quality rather than quantity matters when choosing the right shoes. Proper running shoes are fundamental in maintaining correct running technique as well as preventing injuries. It maintains proper biomechanics of the foot as well as all other joints associated with the foot during walking.
Benefits of wearing the right shoes
: The benefits of scientifically designed comfortable footwear definitely outweigh the cost of investing in it. Repetitive issues of chronic episodes of musculoskeletal issues of back pain, knee pain, foot pain, in fact even neck pain and headaches would subside if a wrong shoe was a cause for them . A simple change in footwear can provide quick relief from chronic knee and back problems.
The right pair of shoes helps keep your body safe from injury. Shoes are undoubtedly the facilitator of fitness. Without the right fuel, you can damage the car engine, similarly, without the right fit of shoes, you are also at risk of serious injury.
Good quality shoes made for the wearer’s feet provide unparalleled fit and comfort. Every shoe ages and breaks in after constant use. Every good quality shoe is made to last and stand the test of time. Research shows that good shoes determine a person’s outlook as well.
Whenever a patient comes to the doctors with any kind of problem from head to toe, the first thing they do is to check the arch of his foot and the shoes he is wearing. 95% of the time they are unsuitable, and thus a change of shoes immediately helps in reducing the pain by 30-40%.
Wrong pair of shoes affects the body
Tight pointed shoes can lead to corns, bunions and other foot deformities such as hammer and claw toes, cross-over toes and ingrown toenails. Elderly people are more likely to fall due to ill-fitting shoes.
High heels can cause back pain, headaches, ankle injuries, sprains and plantar fasciitis. Wearing flat-soled shoes that don’t have minimal arch support can prevent feet from functioning optimally and can lead to knee, hip, and back problems.
A lack of arch support is the most common cause of a painful heel condition called plantar fasciitis, which sometimes progresses to a calcaneal spur. Wearing inappropriate footwear forces the body’s joints to compensate for faulty foot actuators, causing long-term functional and structural changes in the body.
How to choose the right shoes?
Human feet swell as the day progresses, consequently, feet are larger in the evening than earlier in the day, thus measuring your foot size later in the day. Try on the shoes you wear regularly.
Online shopping regularly tempts people to buy the cheapest available options to look trendy. But when it comes to feet, their quality matters more than the number of shoes in the wardrobe.
When buying shoes, check the size of your feet while standing, as in this position your foot will go for maximum stretching. When you rotate your ankle up/down, in and out, the shoe should not come out. You should be able to move your toe up and down.
Providing ample padding at the same time as needed, a snug fit at the heel and midfoot helps walk those miles with ease. A quick way to assess one’s arches is to stamp on wet sand or draw your foot on a piece of paper. One can get a fair idea about the arc pattern.
If you have a history of injury or have aches and pains, it is best to seek specialist advice such as a foot, ankle, or lower limb specialist such as a podiatrist, so that a thorough musculoskeletal assessment can be done and you can take a Professionals can get a footwear prescription.
Source: Medindia
