While it is tempting to put our feet in shoes simply because they are attractive, this is not the kindest thing for our feet or the rest of our bodies. And, the long term consequences of wearing ill-fitting shoes can be tragic.
When shoes do not fit properly, it can lead to a variety of foot disorders like blisters, callouses, bunions, flat feet, circulation problems, hammer toes and Morton’s Neuroma.
These conditions are all painful and any time you have pain in your feet, it causes your entire skeletal system and the muscular structure that it supports to become imbalanced. It can also change the way you walk and alter your posture.
Aching feet also cause you to feel tired more quickly. It can cause your ankles, hips, knees and back to ache, as well.
Ugly and painful callouses and bunions form when shoes are ill-fitting and rub on the feet as you walk. Blisters can be dangerous if they become infected. Some studies connect bunions with the development of arthritis. You may actually be able to stop the growth of a bunion on your foot simply by switching to a different pair of shoes.
It is very important for people who have diabetic neuropathy or other circulation problems in their feet to have shoes that fit them well. They must be careful of blisters and they must not wear shoes that impede their circulation.
Flat feet or fallen arches, can be a hereditary condition or it can be caused by ill-fitting shoes. The right shoes can actually help to improve this condition when it occurs because the muscles and ligaments that should be supporting the arch of the foot fail.
Hammer toes are caused by ill-fitting shoes. Women’s high-heeled shoes with pointed toes are a likely cause. Women are about nine times more likely than men to suffer from hammer toes because of the design of many women’s shoes.
Morton’s Neuroma is a condition that is caused by the nerves in the foot being compressed. This is often caused by shoes that fit too tightly It is an extremely painful condition for which many people resort to surgical solutions.
Most of these conditions are completely avoidable if you wear proper-fitting shoes. Regardless of the type of shoe you choose, try to find the very best, most comfortable fit. If you have a pair of uncomfortable shoes, limit your wear of them, give them away or toss them in the trash. The health of your feet is very important.