Do You Need An Orthopedic Shoe?For those people that spend a lot of time on their feet a proper fitting shoe is a must. Tired feet can have an impact on the rest of the body and will keep you from thinking at your best. First insure that the shoes you are wearing are a proper fit. Is there room for the toes to move comfortable in both the horizontal and vertical planes? In other words, can you wiggle your toes in your shoes? If you can not your shoes are too small. Ensure your socks are well padded and designed to wick the moisture away from your foot. If your footwear meets the above criteria you may need an orthopedic shoe. An orthopedic shoe is designed to fit your foot and provide support for the rest of your body. It should have a small heel to tilt the foot slightly forward. The maximum heel should be not more than 3/4 to one and 1/2 inches in height. Taller heels may be fashionable but will not provide the comfort and support your skeletal muscular system needs to be comfortable. If your heels are too high you are out of balance and are continually fighting to stay upright. The true genius of the orthopedic shoe is something that you never see and if done right you will not feel once your foot is accustomed to the shoe. Your heel should set in a contoured heel counter. The heel counter actually cups the heel in the shoe and holds it in place as you move. Take a look at the bottom of your feet. Unless you have serious problems, your feet are not flat but are contoured. The foot bed, upon which your foot spends its day should be contoured to reflect the same shape as your foot. For many people it is possible to purchase an orthopedic shoe off the shelf that will provide the comfort and relief you seek. Today they can be purchased as fashionable shoes, sandals or even flip flops by such manufactures as Aetrex, Apex, CrocsRx, Drew, Footsmart, Orthofeet, P.W. Minor, Pedors, Propet, and PropetPed Rx. Your feet are the bottom line of your body. If they are uncomfortable your entire body will not be able to function at its peak. We all need comfortable shoes and an orthopedic shoe will provide the support to keep you feeling at your best. |