Have you found your sole mate?
As people movers, feet endure the raw deal of managing your weight, stamina and -- where girls are concerned -- sadistic penchant for suffocating, pointy-toes shoes, while receiving irregular, if not minimal, doses of gratitude in return. But they don't suffer silently -- you'll notice the aches soon enough. Perhaps it's the strain of having to sit and reach or the offensive build-up of stubborn callus and grime that shirks reality of bunion-ridden feet that inappropriate shoes and careless foot therapy provide. So, do yourself a favour -- have a seat. Put your feet up. Find your sole mate.
According to the experts at Scholl, an average person walks about 115,000 miles in a lifetime. Imagine that -- and the damage uncomfortable shoes can do to feet after walking all those miles. According to a member of the Podiatrist Association (Singapore), the ideal shoe should provide support and comfort, have:
» A heel counter firm enough, so that it doesn't collapse when you press firmly on it;
» Laces, an adjustable strap or buckle;
» Low heels with a wide base and
» No pointy toes.
But fashion and ignorance persist, nominating the trendy individual and the weekend athlete as two of today's contenders who are most likely to suffer from some kind of chronic foot disorder. After splurging on a pair of heels, you're more likely to blame your aching soles on the distance walked than on the three added inches between heel and ground. But towering above others will numb more than just your insecurities -- bunions, trapped nerves, toe deformities and knee and back pains are just a few of many casualties inflicted when excessive amounts of stress is absorbed by the ball of the foot and the base of the toes, unlike modest one-inched heels that allow the entire foot to absorb impact. If you must teeter around, do so in two-inchers, while limiting yourself to sit-down dinners or a movie.
Unlike sports people who purchase specialised footgear for their specific sport, weekend athletes often stick to the same pair while dabbling in several. The result -- more often than not -- is a foot problem or two. There is a shoe for every sport to protect and relieve feet from the different stresses of each while enabling full performance from the sportsperson. For example, tennis shoes accommodate side-to-side motions, while basketball ones require more shock absorption. In general, a good pair of sport shoes should have ample room in the forefoot, adequate ankle support, straps or laces, a firm heel and sole (avoid air or spongy soles) and a good grip.
The prime function of a foot's arch is to absorb its impact to maintain body balance and provide spring and propulsion for each step. Flatfeet (archless feet) therefore only becomes a problem when it causes feet to function inefficiently, resulting in pain in the arch, heel, knee and lower back and calf areas. In such cases, corrective insoles are prescribed to prevent flatfeet from further overworking certain joints and msucles. Ingrown toenails curl and dig into the skin when light shoes press the sides of the nail downwards or when nails are cut short into the corners or peeled off at the edge. To avoid ingrown toenails, cut your nails dtraight across, stopping a quarter of a centimetre before skin and nail meet.
Juvenile Hallux Abducto Valgus (juvenile bunions) occurs when friction from tight or narrow shoes force the big toe to curve towards the other toes, causing its joint to swell, making walking both difficult and painful. At this point, wide-toed shoes or slippers should be worn to lessen excessive pressure on the joint and the chances of corns from developing. Corns grow when your skin reacts to pressure or friction by thickening and often appear on the joints of toes as tiny red spots. While DIY over-the-counter remedies relieve discomfort temporarily, you should leave any paring to a Podistrist.
Athlete's foot -- also known as "Hong Kong foot" -- is a fungal infection which occurs when you wear damp socks and shoes for long periods of time. Failure to dry your feet properly after a shower or bath also plays a role. While it's a condition that afflicts mostly athletes, anyone can get it. It develops most commonly in the spaces between the toes and skin changes vary from flaky scales to more serious cases of peeling or splitting of skin, itch and bleeding on scratching. The infection may even spread to the soles and top of the feet or even toenails Anti-fungal creams used two or three times a day for two to three weeks should cure the condition. Now that you're more acquainted with your feet, match-make your foot type with the respective sole-mate to give you a head start at finding the perfect fit instead of short-changing your feet with anything marginally acceptable.
» Feet with higher arches require more shock absorption and a narrower heel, while low-arched feet need more supprt with stable, wide heels.
» Fit shoes at the end of the day, when your feet may swell.
» One foot is usually a half to a size larger than the other. In such cases, shoes should be bought to fit the larger foot.
» When standing up, there should be a measured thumbnail's width from the longest toe to the end of the shoe.
» When trying on new shoes, walk around the shop on both carpeted and hard surfaces at different paces to ensure that the shoe provides comfort under such conditions. What's the point in ruining a pair o shoes by binding your feet in plasters just to walk in them comfortably.
» Select a shoes to conform to your unique foot size and shape, activity level and comfort needs.
» Don't take marked sizes on shoes for granted -- shoes materials, construction and manufacturing alone cause sizes to vary. There are also no industry-wide standards among shoes, so try several brands and styles to account for each difference before settling on one.
» If you're unsure about your foot type, try a quick "wet test" by wetting your foot and stepping on a surface to leave an imprint. The imprint will tell you if you have a flat, normal or a high-arched foot, after which you can select a shoe build to match.
» If you have trouble finding a comfortable fit because of problems, such as bunions or hammertoes, find a store that has a pedorthist, a specialist trained to match problem feet with appropriate shoes. In extreme cases, you may be advised that the best solution is a custom-made shoe. Although this option is more expensive than regular shoes, it is less expensive and less traumatic than foot surgery.
Maybe it's because they're way down there that people don't realise that you should care for your feet as you would any other part of your body -- with common sense. Pampering your feet simply involves washing your feet daily -- especially in between your toes -- and using moisturizing cream (but not between your toes) daily to keep them supple and prevent dry, cracked skin that is common around the heels. If your feet are painful, don't ignore their cry for help. Pain is always a warning sign. Seek professional help from a podiatrist who is a member of your local Podiatry Association.
