Category: Foot Care

Summer is just around the corner, which means you can finally put your leather boots away and slip on footwear that’s more appropriate for the humid weather. You’ll be tempted to grab a pair of breezy flip flops from the back of your closet.

Flip flops sound like the best choice for summer fashion, but in reality, they’re terrible for your feet. If you want to get ready for hot weather and trips to the beach, you should ditch your flip flops and find replacements that are better for your body.

What’s wrong with flip flops?

Essentially, your average flip flop doesn’t offer any support for the foot. The material is thin, flat and offers very little grip. The only thing holding it together is a thong strap wedged between your big toe and second largest toe.

Another one of the reasons why flip flops are terrible for your feet is that your toes have to clench and grip the sole of the shoe so that it lifts with each step. This design flaw puts a lot of strain on your toes when you’re walking for long distances. It gets worse when the terrain adds more resistance, like sand, or when you’re trying to move at a faster pace.

If you wear flip flops regularly, the toe strain could cause a problem called plantar fasciitis — this is the inflammation of the ligament that connects the heel of the foot with the toes. The pain can be so powerful that it can be hard to get out of bed and walk to the bathroom first thing in the morning.

Here is a short list of health problems other than heel pain that flip flops can cause over time:

• Ankle sprain
• Bunions
• Tendonitis
• Corns
• Hip pain
• Knee pain
• Changed gait

What can you do instead?

Ditching your cheap flip flops doesn’t mean you have to put on heavy boots or running shoes. You should go to a foot clinic to see an orthopaedic footwear specialist to help you find summer-friendly options that won’t leave you rubbing your heels after taking a long walk through the park or icing your arches after a trip to the beach.

There are lots of brands out there that take arch support and comfort in mind when they design summer footwear. Look for sandals from trusted companies like Mephisto, Birkenstock and NAOT.

If you really like the look of flip flops over sandals, the company FitFlop offers options that will be much kinder to your body than any pair that you can pick up at a beach-side kiosk. Their shoes come with ergonomically designed iQushion mid soles, anatomically shaped foot beds, slip-resistant soles and adjustable back straps for additional stability.

It’s true that flip flops can be a convenient wardrobe choice. They’re portable, easily replaceable and they’re oh-so-cheap. You could get a pair for under $5. But, the physical problems they cause are not worth their low price.

This summer is your opportunity to take better care of your feet!

You have your next trip all set and ready to go- flight and hotel booked, tourist attractions noted. Maybe it’s to explore the beautiful romantic floating city of Venice, or experience the unique street food markets of Seoul, or capture the breathtaking scenic views of Banff’s glacial lakes. Wherever it is, you wouldn’t want your feet to stop you from enjoying your much-anticipated vacation. Continue reading to find 3 ways to help ensure your feet are in the best shape when exploring new cities.

1. Compression Socks

Do your legs and feet swell when you stand or sit for a prolonged period? Do you experience painful, aching, tired, or heavy legs? If you are familiar with any of these symptoms and/or have varicose veins on your legs, it may be your body’s way of telling you your circulation is compromised, specifically your veins. Your veins work to bring the blood back to your heart; however, when their valves become ineffective, blood starts to pool wherever gravity pulls and lead to the symptoms noted above.

To counteract this, compression socks work to compress the limbs and effectively reduce the diameter of the distended veins. To put it simply, they help to push the blood back to the heart and therefore, improve circulation. Improving blood flow will in turn, control and reduce symptoms so you can focus on enjoying your vacation and not on your feet.

If you don’t have any issues with your circulation but plan on taking a  particularly long flight to your destination, consider getting compression stockings as a preventative measure. Talk to a chiropodist today about the different compression hosiery available.

2. Proper Footwear

If you’re going to be on your feet walking around a new city, it is in your best interest to make sure you are doing it in the right pair of shoes. Your footwear is an essential part of good foot health and can be the causative or exacerbating factor of foot pain and foot injuries.

Running shoes that provide good support, shock absorption, and stability are always the best choice when walking for prolonged periods of time. One way to check for this is to take the shoes in your hands and try to twist and turn the shoe or bend it in half. A good pair of runners should not be too flimsy in structure and be the correct size.

Click here to read up on the best footwear for your foot type.

Whenever possible, try to limit the use of shoes such as flip flops, heels, and ballet flats. Always consider the activity when picking out your shoes for the day.

3. Custom Foot Orthotics

Custom orthotics are a medical device prescribed by a licensed chiropodist following a biomechanical assessment and gait analysis. If you’re experiencing foot pain, see a chiropodist to find out the root cause of your pain before you go on your vacation. There is a good chance it may be due to faulty biomechanics that need to be addressed and corrected. Increasing walking time and therefore the stresses applied to your feet while on vacation may only make the problem worse.

Nothing will dampen your spirits during a beautiful summer like a foot infection. You won’t feel like taking a long stroll by the beach when you have a painful plantar wart on your sole. You won’t want to head to a pool party when you have a bad toenail fungus. And you won’t want to go for a hike through a national park when the itch of your athlete’s foot is driving you up the wall.

If you don’t want to deal with a foot infection for the entire season, you should follow these simple rules:

1.    Don’t Go Barefoot at the Pool

The best method of prevention of foot problems in the summer is to cover up your feet with high-quality shoes because the ground is covered with bacteria, fungi and viruses that can infect your feet. Areas that are warm, wet and have lots of visitors will be especially risky. So, you should sport protective footwear when you’re walking across the deck of the community swimming pool or using the locker room showers at the gym.

Get a pair of waterproof shoes that you can wear to the swimming pool deck, public showers and locker room. After every use, you should rinse your shoes with warm water and dry them. You should also start washing your feet and drying them with a towel after going to these locations in case any contaminants got onto your feet. Then, put on a clean pair of socks and outdoor shoes.

2.    Don’t Go Barefoot at Home

You should break the habit of walking around barefoot, even at home. Other residents in your home could unknowingly transfer a contagious infection like athlete’s foot to the floor that you’re walking on every day. Wearing a pair of comfortable slippers or socks will protect your feet and prevent a frustrating cycle of infection.

If you’re worried about slippers or socks being too warm to endure in the summer heat, you can look at Feet First shoes and sandals from companies like Birkenstock, FitFlop and NAOT.

3.    Change Your Shoes and Socks Often

You should change your shoes and socks often if you want to avoid problems like toenail fungus and athlete’s foot. As previously stated, bacteria and fungus thrive in warm, moist conditions — this includes inside of your sweaty shoes and socks.

Whenever your socks get sweaty, change them and put on a cleaner pair. Don’t wear one pair of shoes every single day, especially if you’re exercising in them. Give them a chance to air out.

If your shoes are starting to smell like foot odour, let them dry in the sunshine to kill off the bacteria. You can also put your shoes in the freezer to destroy any leftover bacteria clinging to the material, as long as you remember to put the shoes in a plastic bag first.

4.    Don’t Share Your Shoes

Do you remember being told never to share hats in school because one of the other children could have lice and give it to you? You should give your shoes a similar treatment because sharing shoes with other people puts you at risks of contracting a toenail fungal infection or a bad case of athlete’s foot. Keep your shoes, boots, inserts, socks and everything else you put on your feet to yourself.

When you follow these essential rules, your feet will stay healthy and infection-free all summer long. You can go back to enjoying your favorite activities, whether it’s going for a walk through the neighbourhood park or taking a quick dip in the community swimming pool.

Your feet hurt, and they hurt all of the time. Before you think about booking a foot massage or taking an Epsom salt bath, you need to take a look at your shoes to see if they’re the reasons behind your aches and pains.

Check to see if they’re worn down

If you’re experiencing foot pain, the first thing you need to do is check your shoes to see if they need to be thrown out and replaced. Over time, the support and structure that you need in a shoe will break down and your feet will suffer the consequences.

Shoes don’t have an expiration date printed on the heel, so you have to look for proof that your shoes are breaking down:

• The tread on the sole is worn down and smooth
• The heel on one shoe has gotten lower than the other’s heel
• There are holes in the mesh
• The lining is splitting open
• They look like they’re falling apart

You should also ask yourself when you first bought the shoes. Any pair that has been in your closet for over a year could be replaced, depending on their quality and how often you wear them. The more often you wear a pair of shoes, the sooner you will need to find replacements. For instance, a pair of running shoes will degrade faster than other styles because they’re used often, and they pound more pavement than the average sandal or slipper.

Check to see if they’re the right size

Another reason why you may be experiencing foot pain is that your shoes aren’t the right fit for your feet. Try to look for signs that they’re too big or too small.

If they’re too big, your heel will slip out and the shoe will slide around while you’re walking. The friction from the material moving up and down your foot can give you blisters and bruised toenails.

If they’re too small, you won’t be able to take them off without undoing all of the laces. They shouldn’t take too much effort to pull off. You may notice numbness or strain on the top of the foot, or a burning sensation when you’re running.

Don’t assume that discomfort is normal for brand-new shoes. A pair of dress shoes should be comfortably snug but not tight or painful when you first try them on. “Breaking them in” will only stretch the leather so much. If they’re too snug, come to Feet First Clinic to get them stretched out so that you don’t have to suffer pinching or blisters. Other shoe styles can’t be “broken in” in the same way.

When you buy new shoes, have your feet measured and make sure that they fit properly right off the bat.

Check to see if they’re the right shoes

Certain types of shoes won’t offer you good support or structure. If you depend on these styles too much, you’re going to deal with painful foot conditions. For example, high-heeled shoes can cause hammertoe and mallet-toe because the toes get crowded into the toe box and instinctively curl.

The first step in choosing proper footcare is taking the shoes that are causing you discomfort out of your closet and tossing them away for good. Replace them with comfortable and supportive shoes that can ease the pain and improve your foot conditions — if you act quickly, you might see a major turnaround!

If you don’t know where to go after throwing out your bad shoes, we can help you find great replacements and put your best foot forward with our impressive line of stylish orthopaedic footwear.

Your shoes are the likeliest cause behind your foot pain. Take some time to investigate if they’re too old, too big, too small or too unsupportive to stay in your closet. Then, go shopping to get yourself some footwear that is kinder to your feet.

Running/walking is a simple activity. There’s very little gear required.

Footwear is the exception. Shoes are your most important piece of gear, providing protection over the course of several hundred kilometres and helping lessen the impact and damage to your body. Most people go through a few pairs every year, and some even every month.

As you pile on the mileage, your shoe’s structure, and thus effectiveness, break down over time. Your shoes won’t feel the same out of the box as they do after 300-500 kilometres. It’s important to know when you need a new pair of shoes to help avoid injury and that starts with knowing what to look for in your footwear.

Below are some signs that your shoes could be due for an upgrade, and what to do to help lengthen their lifespan.

Culprit #1: A reduction in bounce as well as aches, pains, and sore joints.

Typically, running shoes can last between 500-750 kilometres. Over time, the cushioning breaks down and it no longer provides the same amount of energy return as it did right out of the box. If you feel your shoes are feeling flat, and don’t have that same type of bounce, it’s likely time for a new pair of shoes.

There are however ways to extend the lifespan of your shoes.

Try: purchasing two or three pairs of shoes at a time, and alternate use. Giving your shoes a day or two in between runs allows the cushioning to return to form, and lengthens its life. Purchasing in bulk can also be beneficial if your favourite shoe is discontinued or altered, which is commonplace as new iterations of models are released every year. Plus, bulk purchases can lead to lower shipping costs – per unit – if ordered online.

The type of shoe and amount of cushioning also plays a role. Minimalist shoes have less cushioning and thus you’ll feel the effects at a faster rate.

Your weight can also come into play. The heavier you are, the greater the load, and thus the quicker the foam cushioning will compress and break down.

As you can tell, there isn’t one reason why your shoes wear down over time but in fact many.

Culprit #2: Wrinkles across the foam on the mid-sole and heel of the shoe.

You may notice a shoe is breaking down by feel. Additionally, as is the case here, there are visual cues that make apparent the condition of your footwear. When your shoes’ foam begins to crease and wrinkle, it’s a sign that your shoes are beginning to age. However, this cycle is totally normal and doesn’t necessarily mean your shoes are toast.

Try: running on softer surfaces more often to alleviates the impacts that go through your shoes. Running on grass, gravel, and dirt is easier on your shoes – and your body – versus asphalt or concrete.

Culprit #3: Uneven wear patterns

Try: avoid wearing your running shoes casually throughout the day because added hours break down shoes at a faster rate. Your gait while walking is different than running too so you might be wearing your shoes out in unusual and unwanted patterns if you use your primary trainers as hybrids.

Uneven wear patterns are not necessarily a bad thing, but you should take them into account because it might be easier to troubleshoot an injury. Look for areas that are bare of tread like a car tire.

Culprit #4: Damaged heel counter and frayed edges.

The heel cup around your Achilles can break down, which can lead to chafing and blisters.

Try: avoiding tied laces when putting on and taking off your shoes. The laces are there for a reason. If you consistently slip your shoes on and off while tied, you’re likely adding more pressure to the heel counter and the inner material of the shoe. Tie and untie your shoes before and after each use.

Avoid using the dryer if your shoes get wet too as heat can break down the upper material as well as the cushioning of the shoe.

Culprit #5: Tears in the upper.

Look for rips around the toebox, as well as along the sides of your feet as that’s where the upper attaches to the midsole, leaving the seam vulnerable. To avoid blisters, and other foot problems, it’s important to find a shoe that fits right for the shape of your foot.

Try: changing to shoes that better suit you. These days, many brands offer wide versions of most models, and some brands are known for making wider shoes including Asics and Altra, both of which provide roomier a toe box compared to other brands.

Need help deciding on a pair of new shoes? Need a gait analysis done? Visit the clinic today.