Are My Shoes Causing Foot Pain

Do you feel a burning, aching, or sharp pain in the bottom of your foot? Is there a feeling of persistent and prolonged discomfort while or after wearing certain shoes? Any foot pain that you feel is not a normal experience and should be looked into deeper. Your shoe choice is important, as they should provide the utmost quality in support and comfort throughout the day to maintain excellent foot health. There are several factors that could lead to discomfort if your shoes are causing your foot pain so continue reading to learn about common underlying causes of foot pain, different types of foot conditions, and the choices you have to promote better foot health.

COMMON CAUSES OF FOOT PAIN

Even though foot pain is a common feeling, it is by no means a "normal" feeling and should not be happening if you are wearing supportive footwear and practicing proper foot care. Take a deeper look into your footwear, daily activities, and hobbies to see if your feet are affected.

• Improper footwear
• Prolonged pressure
• Excessive strain and/or impact
• Weight gain such as obesity or pregnancy
• High-impact activities such as running, jumping, or dancing
• Standing or walking on hard surfaces for a long period of time
• High arches
• Flat feet

COMMON FOOT AILMENTS

Untreated foot pain can lead to foot conditions such as plantar fasciitis, bunions, ball of foot discomfort, and more. If you are experiencing any of these foot ailments, make sure you reach out to a physician to properly diagnose you.

Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar Fasciitis is a common type of inflammation that results from prolonged pressure and excessive strain on the foot. The pain is felt prominently in the arch and/or heel in one or both feet, and most commonly in the morning when taking your first few steps or after sitting for a long period of time. To help relieve plantar fasciitis, it is recommended to wear supportive shoes with arch support and practice foot stretches.

Bunions

A bunion is a prominent bump that is located on the inside of the foot around the big toe joint. It is commonly caused by improper footwear that is too narrow or tight in the toe box area. Symptoms of bunions are inflammation, swelling, soreness, and/or pain on/near the bunion area. This condition can develop an abnormality in foot function or arthritis. To alleviate this condition, it is recommended to wear shoes with a wide toe area to accommodate the abnormality by not adding more pressure on the bunion.

Ball of Foot

Discomfort Discomfort in the ball-of-foot area can be caused by improper footwear, shoes with narrow toe box areas, flip flops, and most commonly, high heels. You may feel uncomfortable walking, which can lead to extreme discomfort. Excessive pressure on the ball-of-foot area for a prolonged time can result in a condition called Metatarsalgia. Metatarsalgia is when one or more metatarsals can become inflamed. Orthotics with built-in metatarsal pads can alleviate the pressure prominent in the metatarsal area while also providing cushioning and shock absorption.

HOW TO PRACTICE PROPER FOOT HEALTH

The best way to practice proper foot health is to examine what kind of shoes you are wearing and if you can enhance them. Changing your footwear and stretching your feet is the best way to help alleviate foot pain since you can't change the shock your feet experience from high-impact activities or from hard/concrete surfaces.

Upgrade Your Foot Bed

Since everyone's footwear comfort level is different, not all shoes will fit or feel the same way. If the insoles inside your shoes are flimsy, old, flat, or uncomfortable, an orthotic is highly recommended to improve the quality of your footwear and experience. Aetrex Orthotics are designed to support the apex of your arch while providing the alignment you need to help reduce overpronation. The quality and design of Aetrex orthotics help alleviate foot injuries that are caused by persistent stress by absorbing shock, providing premium cushioning, and transferring pressure away from high-impact areas. All you need to do is remove the unsupportive insole from your shoes and replace it with Aetrex Orthotics to feel real support!