A study in the American Journal of Sports Medicine in June of 2008 evaluated in-shoe pressure in 22 athletes with high arch (cavus) feet. Two neutral-cushioned running shoes (Asics Nimbus 6 and Brooks Glycerin 3) and a control shoe (Dunlop Volley) were used and the pressures were collected using the Novel Pedar-X system. Compared with the control shoe, both neutral-cushioned running shoes significantly reduced peak pressure. The Brooks Glycerin was the most effective at reducing forefoot pressure and the Asics Nimbus 6 was most effective at reducing rearfoot pressure. The Asics Nimbus shoe was considered the most comfortable shoe, but both neutral-cushioned running shoes were more comfortable than the control shoe. Continue Reading »
According to research at the 55th Annual Meeting of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), individuals wearing flip-flops alter their gait and may experience lower leg pain as a result. ???????? ????? ????????The study compared the gait of 39 college age men and women wearing flip-flop style sandals and athletic shoes. Both the flip-flops and the athletic shoes used in the study ranged in price and style. The flip-flops ranged in cost from $5.00 - $50.00. The participants in the study walked along a platform which measured the vertical force as the heel and foot hit the ground. Their stride length and leg angle were also evaluated.
The temperatures are warming and it’s time to start thinking about shorts, t-shirts, beaches, BBQs and sandals. It’s tempting to slip on those sandals you bought on sale last Fall and head out for a day of fun in the sun. But, this can prove to be a problem for your feet, especially your toes. Although there are many styles of sandals, most have straps crossing the toes. There is very little material holding your foot on the sole of the sandal, compared with an enclosed shoe, which means that each strap of the sandal places more pressure on the foot. This is especially true in the area of the toes. Even an expensive pair of sandals can cause rubbing and irritation on the toes when you first wear them. The straps generally have prominent stitching and this stitching can cause rubbing, irritation and blisters. Continue Reading »
People who recreate outside during the winter, whether it is running, cycling, skiing, skating or snowshoeing, need to protect their feet by wearing appropriate socks. Many will spend top dollar for boots and shoes, but then choose cheap cotton socks to wear with them. When wearing the wrong type of socks, the feet are at risk for blisters, calluses, corns, foot fungus, toenail fungus, heel bursitis, bruising and cold exposure. Continue Reading »
One visit is all you need for ordering as many pairs of custom made shoes by the Left® Foot Company of Finland. And the price? About $300 per pair of shoes. The process starts with the customer pulling on neon yellow and green checkerboard socks and stepping on an imaging platform. A 3-D scanner images the feet producing a 3D copy of each foot and then transfers the information to an ordering system. The 15 different measurements taken are then analyzed and individual characteristics of the foot are taken into account. The information is then used to design the custom shoe. Continue Reading »
In the wintertime it’s easy to enter the house and kick off your wet, snow or mud covered shoes and slip into some nice, soft, comfy slippers. After being on your feet all day, nothing feels better, right? Not so fast. For those with foot problems, especially those with heel pain, this could spell trouble. Continue Reading »
Gravity Defyer shoes are built with a hidden spring in the heel of the shoe. Shoes with springs or coils are designed to ease joint pain, especially at your feet, ankles, knees, hips and back. Some individuals swear by these shoes, especially those suffering with heel pain. Gravity Defyer shoes are not the only shoes on the market with springs built into the heel. Z-CoiL® Pain Relief Footwear™ is another brand of shoes with built in coils at the heel, but need to be fit at a retail store or a podiatrist’s office. Stress is taken off the heel and the arch with coil shoes and the shock absorption can help relieve stress at the knees, hips and back. The downside is that any heel over 1 1/2″ will transfer weight to the forefoot. With coil shoes, this depends on the design of the shoes and the size of the spring. Another downside with higher heel coil shoes is the increased chance of ankle sprains.
The bottom line: for relief of heel and arch pain, knee, hip or back pain, this type of shoe may be beneficial. For individuals with forefoot problems or unstable ankles, this type of shoe may not be the best choice, but may be dependent on the size of the spring and the height of the heel.
It is easy to mourn the loss of those long, warm summer days as we move into the Fall season. Cold, crisp mornings make winter seem just around the corner and many will put away their hiking boots until next Spring. But, Fall is one of the best times for hiking. The colors are vibrant and the summer haze is gone - along with the crowds. Although the mornings will be cool, most days bring perfect hiking weather.
The urban dictionary has defined “mandals” as sandals for men. It has become more and more common to see men in sandals during the summer. In the past, men wore flip-flops only for their yearly beach trip and sported regular shoes the rest of the year. Over the past few years, the expanding fashion line of sandals for men has had trouble keeping up with the demand.
There are positives and negatives to the increase use of sandals in men. Many of the sandals on the market now are much more supportive than the traditional flip-flops. Some sandals are water proof and great for outdoor events, such as short hikes, trips to the beach and river trips. Continue Reading »
Summer is on it’s way, along with shorts, tank tops, bathing suits, BBQs and, of course, sandals. Sandals, the main choice for footwear during the summer months, are easy to slip on and off and cool enough for those hot summer days. The flip-flop trend has taken off and new styles range from flimspy, flat and casual to high-heeled, high-priced and dressy.
Unfortunately, along with flip-flops come foot injuries. The flip-flop style sandal has almost no arch support and little beyond the two simple straps on the top, attempting to hold the foot on the sole of the sandal. The result is overworked tendons and an over stressed arch. Ankle sprains tendonitis, arch pain, plantar fasciitis, calluses and blisters are all common problems which can also develop as a result of wearing flip-flops. Flip-flops are not the only culprit, many sandals do not offer much arch support or shock absorption and have little material to keep the foot on the sole. The combination of flip-flops and high heels tends to be the most problematic summer sandal choice.
There are many sandals available today which are comfortable, supportive and stylish. When looking for a sandal, following these simple tips: Continue Reading »
1. Consider buying your shoes at a specialty running store. The shoes may be a little more expensive, but you should be able to talk with a trained professional who knows about shoes, socks and foot types.
2. Have your feet measured while standing with your socks on. Socks can change the size of your feet enough to make a difference in fit. The measurement should include the heel to toe measurement, the heel to the ball of the foot measurement and the width taken while standing.
3. Make sure the shoe bends at the toes, and only at the toes.
A study in the American Journal of Sports Medicine in June of 2008 evaluated in-shoe pressure in 22 athletes with high arch (cavus) feet. Two neutral-cushioned running shoes (Asics Nimbus 6 and Brooks Glycerin 3) and a control shoe (Dunlop Volley) were used and the pressures were collected using the Novel Pedar-X system. Compared with the control shoe, both neutral-cushioned running shoes significantly reduced peak pressure. The Brooks Glycerin was the most effective at reducing forefoot pressure and the Asics Nimbus 6 was most effective at reducing rearfoot pressure. The Asics Nimbus shoe was considered the most comfortable shoe, but both neutral-cushioned running shoes were more comfortable than the control shoe. 
