I just read a wonderful article from MyGloss.com every woman should familiarize herself with: How To Curb High Heel Pain. Author Aly Walansky gives great tips any fashionista will love. My favorite tip from the article? Invest in good heels… yep- shoe shop ’til your heart (or feet) are content!

No more excuses, ladies- get out there and find heels that are good for your feet! They do exist (visit one of our stores to see) and your feet will thank you by staying healthy.

We want to hear from you… what’s your secret for curbing high heel pain?

And with 80% of women complaining that their shoes are painful,this video couldn’t have come at a better time!

Hans Christian Johannsen, Certified Pedorthist and Manager of Foot Solutions of Vancouver, BC stars in this video and explains just what you can do to help relieve that nagging pain in the ball of the foot.

Unfortunately for us, looking good comes at the price of pain.

“Vanity, vanity. We may have come a long way, baby, but for many of us fashionistas, high heels are the new corsets. What our grandmothers’ generation did to their innards, we’re doing to our feet – pushing and squeezing them into a shape nature never intended so we can look more feminine and sexy….read Lisa’s entire article on PINK Magazine’s website

Too good not to share! Lisa’s 5 Tips for Avoiding The Stiletto Syndrome

1. DON’T OVERINDULGE. If you insist on going over 3 inches, don’t wear them for more than a few hours at a time or more than a few days in a row.

2. CREATE A SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT. Podiatrist Jaquelina Sutera recommends a stable heel that holds your own heel firmly in place and, if possible, an ankle strap.

3. SOFTEN THE SLAM. Padded shoe inserts like Dr. Scholl’s Sole Expressions reduce the pressure on the ball of your foot and your heel, thereby reducing strain.

4. PREVENT HANGOVERS. After a day in heels, you should stretch out your Achilles tendon. Five quick minutes of stretching will keep it from tightening over time.

5. SEEK PROFESSIONAL HELP. Most women don’t see a podiatrist until they’re already in pain. If you’re a frequent heel user, have a professional monitor your condition.

Achilles Tendonitis
Causes: Constant hill running, shoes with soft heel counters, shifting from dress shoes to running shoes.
Symptoms: Pain and tightness felt in the lower calf muscles, which may be more prevalent in the morning.
Solutions: Ice massage, calf stretches, proper rest, and a softer running surface. Also try to update your shoes often.

Plantar Fasciitis
Causes: Common causes include standing for long periods of time, over-pronation (flat feet), high arches, improperly fitting footwear
Symptoms: Pain felt along the bottom of the foot from the heel to the arch. Pain is often worse in the morning and at the end of the day.
Solutions: Arch supports, night splints and a program of stretching combined with early diagnosis to provide relief.

Shin Splints
Causes: Calf and achilles tightness due to the lack proper stretching before and after exercise. Unsupportive or worn out shoes may also cause shin splints.
Symptoms: Sharp pain felt around the shin bone. It is very common in people who exercise too much, too soon, and too fast. Untreated shin splints can become painful stress fractures.
Solutions: Ice massage, supportive shoes and a softer running surface can help shin splints. To prevent them, thoroughly stretch before exercising. Never run or exercise cold muscles.

Take a look at this slideshow from WebMD explaining the most common foot problems seen today, along with some helpful solutions. While I’ll spare you pictures of these top foot problems, WebMD shows some up close photos of each of the 10 foot problems. Nothing overly graphic, but just be prepared to see the pictures.  Still have questions or aren’t sure why you foot is in pain? Contact us anytime.

6 Reasons Your Shoes Are Painful

1. They’re Restrictive - By wearing shoes for fashion’s sake, your feet are prevented from moving freely.

2. They’re Too Tight - A seemingly obvious reason…but did you know 90% of Americans wear improperly fitted shoes?

3. They’re Too Stiff – Leather shoes often have a layer of synthetic material to make them more durable, making the shoes too stiff for our feet.

4. Some Shoes are Too High – How high is too high? Rule of thumb… if they hurt, don’t wear them!

5. On the Other Hand…Some Shoes are Too Flat - Those ballet flats may seem more comfortable than high heels, but the flimsier versions of these slip-ons don’t give your feet the protection they need. Typically, we’re on sidewalks and concrete, and we haven’t really evolved to be [walking] on this hard, flat environment. The flat shoe itself isn’t unhealthy for the foot, he adds, but many styles don’t provide enough cushioning for your weary soles.

6.  Some Shoes are Too Pointy – You might look sexy, but pointy shoes aren’t at all good for your feet, and are one of the leading causes of bunions!

Now that you’ve learned the secrets to avoiding painful shoes, take a look through your closet and put your shoes to the test.  You can read the entire article ‘6 Ways Your Shoes are Painful’ for a tip on shopping for healthy shoes.

As you may know, plantar fasciitis occurs when the plantar fascia get stretched to the point where they develop micro tears which get inflamed. The two main causes are a falling arch and excessive pronation. Any plan for treating plantar fasciitis must address these 2 issues 24 hours a day. The longer you allow the fascia to heal, the stronger they get. Each time you tear them you start the healing process all over again.

An aggressive plan for treating plantar fasciitis will include all of the following:

• Night Splints. When you sleep at night your feet relax and the plantar fascia heal in a relaxed position. When you wake up and take that 1st step you stretch the plantar fascia and they tear causing great pain. Wearing a night splint allows the fascia to heal in a stretched position so the first step is not painful.

• House Shoes. Anyone with PF knows that first step in the morning is the worst. That first step tears the fascia and sets you up for a painful day. You need to support your arches and protect your plantar fascia with a good house shoe. Hardwood floors, tile bathrooms, marble kitchens are murder on your feet. Orthofeet and Moszkito are two brands of flip-flops and slippers that actually have an arch, much more so than any similar brands. Orthofeet is actually an orthotic built into a flip-flop, it is medially posted and has an incredible arch.

• Orthotics. To protect your feet during the day, any plan for treating plantar fasciitis should include some type of orthotic. A good orthotic will both control your arch and accommodate your level of pronation. There are many over-the-counter inserts available that range in price from $10 to $300. A good pedorthist will analyze your feet and gate and match an orthotic to your feet. The best thing you can do for your feet is to have a custom orthotic made. These can be expensive, but they are well worth it when it comes to comfort.

• Shoes/Sneakers. Does anyone really know what a “good pair of shoes” is? Doctors say this all the time. Go get a good pair of shoes. When treating plantar fasciitis, a good pair of shoes has the following characteristics; strong heel and medial counters to control the ankle and help stop pronation, a strong shank to supply midfoot stability, and for sneakers, some degree of dual density EVA outsoles with medial flares to support the arch and the ankle.

• Socks. Yes, even socks can make a difference. A good supportive sock with a tight wrap around the arch can provide additional comfort by helping to hold the arch in place.

Treating plantar fasciitis is not a part time job.
The more aggressively and consistently you take care of it, the higher the likelihood for success!

Despite the painful injury, fans made it clear what they thought of Matt Ryan’s turf toe-one fan writes on Twitter “Matt Ryan out 4 Sunday’s game with Eagles. “Turf Toe,” R U kidding me?”

But former UGA football star David Pollack comes to Matt’s rescue on Twitter:  “I used to call everyone a sissy who got turf toe until I got it, it stinks and man it is painful. Every time you push off it kills”

A closer look at Turf toe-what exactly IS it??

Turf toe is an injury to the ligaments of the great toe joint when the joint is overstretched, or hyper-extended.  Although it is most commonly associated with football injuries, it can occur with any sport prone to rapid changes in direction of running (like soccer or tennis).

What causes Turf toe?

Turf Toe was thought to be related to the unforgiving properties of artificial turf, but improper shoe selection and foot mechanics may also be risk factors.  Worn out athletic shoes may also be a cause because lack of support as the shoe breaks down- allowing too much freedom of motion in the forefoot.

What About Treatment?

Have your foot evaluated by a foot specialist for treatment and rehabilitation,  and proper shoe selection for the future.  Proper shoe gear can reduce the risk of turf toe injury and at times, a carbon fiber foot plate with a Morton’s extension (shown below) can be used to reduce joint strain.

Choosing a reputable store with a Board Certified Pedorthist on staff can make a significant difference in the treatment of this painful condition with the right type of shoes and prescribed orthotics.

Now you know more about Matt Ryan’s toe than you probably ever cared to, but at least you can help prevent it from happening to you!  Next time you hear someone giving Matt flack for a toe injury, let them know about turf toe!

1. Massage your feet. This will help release tension, increase circulation and rejuvenate the skin. For a more relaxing experience, have someone else massage them for you!

2. Soothe your soles. Soak your feet for at least five minutes in a container filled with warm water. You can even pick up some scented salts to add. After the soak, pat your feet dry and apply lotion or cream to hydrate your feet.

3. Elevate your legs to help reduce swelling. Our feet normally swell as the day progresses. If you feel your shoes getting tight as the day wears on, be sure to loosen them. It’s always best to shop for shoes late in the day to account for the swelling.

4. Exercise your feet. Rotate ankles by cupping the foot under the back portion of the heel to brace the foot and leg; turn your ankle slowly five times. This loosens the ankle joint and relaxes your feet. Another great exercise is to trace the letters of the alphabet with your foot and ankle. This puts all the joints through a full range of motion. Pointing your toes helps to alleviate toe cramps and strengthen calf muscles. While standing, do toe raises, toe points and toe curls for five seconds; repeat 10 times.

5. Wear comfortable shoes when you’re shopping. If you do develop a blister, be sure to treat it properly.  Ideally, you should visit your foot professional to manage a painful blister, especially if you are diabetic.  If you’re not in a position to make that visit, carefully pierce the blister’s roof with a sterile needle. Dress the blister with an antibiotic cream or ointment and cover it with a bandage.

Give Atlanta a few more tips for a healthy and happy shopping experience…What’s your secret holiday shopping tip?