Types of heels

Heels are certainly a fashion statement. You look taller and sexier. Heels change the way you walk by exaggerating the chest, the hips, and the curvature in your spine, thus increasing the pelvic tilt. This is what makes then attractive and desirable, however wearing heels comes with some issues too. They structurally shorten your calf muscles which puts more pressure on the ball of your foot even when you take them off.

Apparently, there are more than 30 different types of heels for women ranging from low to high, straight to curved. Each serves a different purpose and distributes body weight differently across.

Flats (1 inch or less)

They are comfortable, fashionable, and easier on the feet. People like them for many occasions however, most of them do not offer any arch support. The foot has to work harder to keep the shoe on, which leads to toe deformities such as hammer toes.

Kitten heels (1.5 to 2 inches)

They are easier to walk in than high heels and make your legs look longer and slimmer. However, they can contribute to corns and calluses, as well as back pain.

High heels (2.5 to 4 inches)

They strengthen the calf muscles and also make the legs appear longer, however; they can be painful to wear. They can cause many foot problems such as corns, calluses, ingrowing toenails, nerve irritation, heel pain, ankle sprains, tendinitis, hammer toe and bunions.

Extreme (over 4 inches)

They build a good pair of calf muscles and make the legs appear longer. They also tend to make the backside more noticeable! But very high heels put huge pressure on the ball of your feet (7 times your body weight) and compress the toes. They are very difficult to walk in and certainly cause a myriad of foot problems and back pain.

Constantly wearing high party heels results in painful damage to your feet. In most case this damage is irreversible. Is it worth it?

The decision is all yours!

What type of Party Heels are more comfortable?

The most comfortable heel height is lower than 3 inches, good arch support, and a cushioned sole. Ideally you should look for a shoe with a heel that is wide and chunky instead of narrow like a stiletto. Wearing a chunky heel, a wedge or a platform shoe offers more stability and transfers the weight a cross a greater area. That way you feel more balanced, which helps with overall comfort.

They say, “give a girl the right shoes and she can conquer the world”! I totally agree! The right shoes can take you anywhere so make sure they are comfortable! As a podiatrist, I would allow wearing heels only on special occasions. Whether you have Jimmy Choo or Christian Louboutin, the truth is that you only have a one pair of feet, but you can buy many pair of shoes!

If you need advice on footwear or have a particular issue with your feet, our staff at Medipod Clinics can help you. Our experienced podiatrists will treat your feet with the respect and attention they deserve. Give us a call today on 01455 246100 to chat through your needs.

We also offer a very wide range of treatments such as verruca treatments, ingrown toenail management, fungal infection treatment, heel pain management, diabetic footcare and sports injuries management. I can assure you that we will do our best to exceed your expectations. Our staff will treat your feet with the respect and attention they deserve. For more information and to get in touch, please contact us on 01455 246100. You are also, welcome to visit us at 45 Rugby Rd, Hinckley, LE10 0QA. We will be delighted to see you!

Thank you for reading – Party Heels, What’s The Damage?

Faye Vogiatzoglou
Clinical Director

http://medipodclinics.com/

The post Party Heels, What’s The Damage? appeared first on Medipod Clinics.

The right shoe should:

1. Have a stiff heel counter. Pinch the back of the shoe with your fingers. You should not be able to fold it over. If it is too soft it will not support your foot.
2. Have a small amount of torque. Hold the shoe at both ends. You should be able to twist it slightly.
3. Bend where your toes bend.
4. Provide arch support. This will help prevent heel pain and plantar fasciitis. Wearing shoes that are completely flat like flip-flops or ballet pumps greatly increases your risk of this condition. Cushioned footbeds not only feel more comfortable, but they also act as shock absorbers, reducing the impact of your foot hitting the ground with each step you take.
5. Are wide enough and long enough at the toes. It should not push the toes in or make them curl. Make sure have about 1cm space between the longest toe and the end of the shoe when you are standing. If you consistently wear heels without enough toe space, you will increase your chances of developing hammer toes, corns, bunions, and arthritis.
6. Get your foot measured by a professional. Most people wear shoes that are too small for their feet! Foot size can change as you age. As the arch lowers over time, your foot appears longer, therefore you may need bigger shoes!
7. Shop for shoes at the end of the day — that’s when your foot is at its largest and most swollen.
8. Wear the type of sock you will most likely use with the shoes you are buying. If the podiatrist has prescribed a custom orthotic, you should also try it on with the shoes

Choose styles that improve stability. The more stable and secure your shoe feels, the more comfortable you will feel. In addition to the toe space, the heel height will affect your comfort. Ideally you should go for a shoe with a low heel height. Check your heels for the following:

• Wear a chunkier heel. The wider the heel, the more stability you will have.
• Shoes that have wooden or hard plastic soles are more rigid and will be more difficult to walk in. Look for shoes with leather and rubber soles.
• Slingbacks, heels with ankle straps, peep toes, and boots are easier to walk in than mules or super strappy sandals. The more your foot moves around, the more difficult it will be to walk.
• Make sure the sole will protect you if you step on anything sharp. The primary purpose of your shoes is to protect your feet. If you wear a shoe with a thin, flimsy sole, and you step on something sharp like a tack or a nail, you could be seriously injured. Make sure the sole is thick enough and sturdy enough to keep anything from penetrating all the way through to your foot.

The right shoes should feel comfortable right away. Don’t buy shoes that pinch your feet or feel tight anywhere. There is no such thing as a “breaking in” period. Shoes should feel comfortable from the moment you leave the shop.

And Don’t Forget! Too much pain is a bad sign; take off your shoes and figure out why. If they don’t fit, no matter how much you like them, get rid of them. You only have one pair of feet, and shoes can be replaced.

At Medipod Clinics we always keep up to date with best Podiatry practice. Furthermore, we are always searching new ways to improve our service to you, and we listen to the feedback from our patients.  If you feel that you or your family will benefit from our expert advice and experience, we would be more than happy to help. Give us a call today on 01455 246100 to chat through your needs.

We offer a wide range of podiatric services, such as verruca treatments, ingrowing or fungal toenails management as well as gait analysis and provision of custom orthoses, so do not hesitate to ask for more information. With our in-depth knowledge and expertise, we can support you every step of your way by providing a highly professional service.

For more information about our standard podiatry treatment, ingrowing or fungal nails management, biomechanics service or verruca management, please contact us on 01455 246100.

We would love to help you with any issues you may be experiencing. Thank you for reading this month’s blog “Finding The Right Shoes – Top Tips”.

Faye Vogiatzoglou
www.medipodclinics.com

The post Finding The Right Shoes – Top Tips appeared first on Medipod Clinics.

So what parents should look out for when buying shoes for their children?

Look for shoes that:

• Have a stiff back. Grasp the heel in one hand and the shoe above the heel in the other hand. You should not be able to move the shoe side-to-side around the heel.
• Have a small amount of torque. Hold the shoe at both ends. You should be able to twist it slightly.
• Bend where your toes bend.
• Provide arch support. If the shoe does not have arch support, speak to a podiatrist especially if your child has a low arch.
• Are wide enough and long enough at the toes. It should not push the toes in or make them curl. Make sure have about 1cm space between the longest toe and the end of the shoe when the child is standing.
• Feel comfortable right away.
• Start rite shoes have an excellent guide to hep you check the fit of your children’s shoes https://www.startriteshoes.com/check-the-fit

How to choose the right shoes for your children’s feet

At Medipod Clinics we always keep up-to-date with best Podiatry practice. Furthermore, we are always searching new ways to improve our service to you and we listen to the feedback from our patients.

If you feel that you or your child will benefit from our expert advice and experience, we would be more than happy to help. Give us a call today on 01455 246100 to chat through your needs.

We offer a wide range of podiatric services, such as verruca treatments, ingrowing toenails management as well as gait analysis and provision of custom orthoses, so do not hesitate to ask for more information. With our in-depth knowledge and expertise, we can support you every step of your way by providing a highly professional service.

For more information about our standard podiatry treatment, paediatric treatments, biomechanics service or verruca management, please contact us on 01455 246100.

We would love to help you with any issues you may be experiencing.

Thank you for reading,
Faye Vogiatzoglou
http://www.medipodclinics.com

The post How to choose the right shoes for your children’s feet appeared first on Medipod Clinics.