If your feet aren't happy, then you're not going to be happy. Tired, achy, painful feet are more than an inconvenience. They can ruin your whole day, interfere with your work or your favorite activities, and make it hard to even get around. The good news is that most people don't have to put up with poor foot health as a result of poor quality shoes. There is a lot you can do to improve your foot health simply by wearing better quality shoes.

 

Bad Shoes Cause Poor Foot Health

Poorly designed shoes are a major cause of foot problems. As if that's not bad enough, low quality shoes can harm far more than your feet. They can cause pain throughout your body -- a whole litany of problems including back pain, muscle spasms, spinal discs breaking down, headaches, and joint problems. And the problem is getting worse. Doctors who treat feet are seeing more patients now who are having problems caused by their shoes. Some blame women's fashions. With stylish heels rising ever higher, and with the soles of ballet flats becoming ever thinner, more people are wearing shoes that are likely to damage their health.

 

What to Look for in Good Shoes

If you're ready to improve your foot health, start by shopping for a good pair of shoes. You should be looking for high quality, healthy style, and excellent fit.

Quality

Better quality shoes, including running shoes, will often be designed with an eye towards comfort and foot health. The same is rarely true for cheaper brands. Consider the money you spend on quality shoes to be an investment in your health. As a bonus, higher quality shoes will often last longer than cheap shoes, so in the long run, you may actually save money by buying better shoes.

Style

High quality running shoes, especially those that have rigid heel cups and midsoles, offer the best support for your foot and promote a healthy alignment for your entire body. But few people want to wear running shoes all of the time. The trick to maintaining foot health while also being stylish is to limit the amount of time you wear your cute, but potentially harmful shoes. If you are going to be wearing heels at work, wear running or walking shoes for your commute, and change into your heels when you arrive. Whenever possible, limit heels to about one-and-a-half inches high. And take a look at the many shoes on the market now that are both attractive and good for you.

Fit

A good fit is crucial to avoid foot pain and other problems. When shopping, make sure to "test drive" your shoes by walking around in them to see how they feel when you are moving. Check to see that there is plenty of room for your toes, and that nothing in the shoe rubs or pinches your feet. Investing in good quality shoes is an easy way to increase the quality of your life.

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