Foot Problems?..You Could Be Wearing the Wrong Shoes.

Many common foot ailments are related to choice of shoes, especially in women. Of the 356 women involved in a survey by the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Association (AOFAS), 80% had some kind of foot pain. That's no surprise when you consider that 88% of them were wearing shoes that were smaller than their feet! Footwear that is too tight, too loose, excessively airtight, or shaped in unnatural ways can cause or aggravate problems.

Buying Shoes

Any injury to the foot interrupts the kinematic chain (the foot bone's connected to the ankle bone, and on up), hampering mobility.
High heels and pointy-toed fashion shoes are natural adversaries to your feet. Although the angle of high heels may make your legs look long and graceful, it also increases pressure on the toes and
upsets your balance. Keep your use of high heels to a minimum, and opt for flats instead.
Remember to check shoes for air flow—do they have porous fabric or air holes so that your feet won't swelter inside? The toe should be more rounded than pointed, approximating the natural shape of
the foot.
With one hand on the heel and the other on the toe, try to bend the shoe—does it give? If it doesn't flex, it's probably too stiff. Next place the shoe on the floor and push it forward—is there any resistance?
Shoes with poor tread design or smooth bottoms can lead to slips and falls.
Be sure to shop for shoes at the end of the day, when your feet are 5%-8% larger than in the morning. Measure both feet, since they are often different sizes, and always fit to the larger size. Allow 1/2” of
room between your longest toe and the end of the shoe. Take a test stroll across the store to verify that the shoe flexes when you walk, and that your heel doesn't slip in and out.
The most important test of all is completely subjective: Are they comfortable? A particular pair of shoes may look great, but if they're going to leave you sore or limping, leave them in the store. Be kind
to your feet—they've got to carry you a long way.

Courtesy of Courier-fashion.com