The feet support the body and should be treated with the utmost respect. Figuring out the right shoe to fit your foot can be a frustrating process. The best place to begin is with the shape of your foot. Feet are unique from person to person, thus, shoes should be as well. Buying sensible shoes designed for specific foot types is an important endeavor. Here are a few tips to buying the proper everyday footwear.
Foot Types
There are three major foot types, each with their own alignment and set of stressors. When measuring for foot type, always veer towards the bottom of the list when unsure. As an example, a normal arch may appear slightly arched but is not pronounced enough to be categorized as a high arch. This type of foot should be treated as a normal arch to avoid injury.
High Arch
The person with a high arch has an alignment called supination. This type of alignment is due to weight positioned on the outside of the foot thus causing the ankles and knees to take more stress on an outside slant. To determine a high arch, wet the foot and step on a towel. If a thin curved line connects the heel and front portions of your foot, the arch is high. A cushioning shoe supports the high arched foot best.
Normal Arch
The normal arched foot has a neutral alignment. The ankle and knee joints are not stressed one way or the other so the muscles can develop equally for a balanced stride. Determining a normal arch is the same as a high arch, however the outline will differ. A wide curving shape will connect the heel and front portions. Running in a stability shoe will insure the normal arch against injury.
Flat Foot
Flat-footed individuals have pronation alignment. Their ankles and knees bend inward, putting undo stress on muscles to keep the body level. The impression left by a flat foot will be square. Sometimes the inside line will bulge out due to extra weight on that side. Flat feet tend to have more motion than they should. Motion control shoes help balance the foot to decrease stress on the muscles.
A Time For Every Shoe
Every social engagement, sport or obligation has certain shoes associated with it. Knowing what type of shoe you need and what type is appropriate for that activity is crucial for proper foot care. The issues of a foot type will allow an individual the ability to choose healthy footwear. Physical therapist Daniel Baumstark of PhysioDC recommends staying away from high heels in general. However, there are some heels that are better then others. Franco Sarto has a wonderful line of well-made shoes that support the foot for a day at the office or out on the town. While running, walking or general sports all require specialized shoe, a good role of thumb is to shop by type. Find a shoe that fits your foot type and try it on. The most important factor to buying shoes is the fit. A shoe that does not fit well, will not perform well.
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