Style Musings From Your Local Chiropractor
The inspiration for this article came at the end of a girl's night when we hobbled back to our hotel, with shoes in hand, in agony. I thought there must be a better way to combine fashion and function. As a chiropractor who loves fashion, it has always been a struggle to find a comfortable and drool-worthy shoe. Most shoes are either practical and ugly or gorgeous and made to suffer. How many times have you taken a pause when completing your outfit, only to think, how long will I be on my feet? Are these standing shoes or sitting at dinner shoes? Maybe some of you reading this article have already given up because of the bunions, foot pain, or low back pain you have from the poor footwear of your youth. Now that we are slowly moving towards a pre-pandemic normal life, the desire or need to dress up is returning. Weddings, baby showers, date nights, work functions all need options, and I really struggled to put on my heels after a year of wearing sneakers.
Studies have shown that wearing heels can cause a variety of back and foot-related pain. In practice, I have seen women complaining of plantar fasciitis, tight calf muscles, knee pain, hip pain, and lower back pain which can all be attributed to how their feet and ankles are moving. What many people don't know is the heel of your foot is one of 26 bones in the foot and ankle. In fact, the heel bone is built specifically to resist impact and support your body weight. When you lift your heel in a shoe, you shift your center of gravity forward off the heel and place all your weight into your forefoot. The forefoot is a group of tiny bones that were never meant to be the weight bearers of your body. All this pressure is placed on the forefoot, and after an hour or two, your foot feels like it's on fire. From a chiropractic perspective, extended wear of heels causes your pelvis to tip forward, resulting in poor alignment of the hips and spine. Additionally, improper support in the arches leads to rotation of the leg and abnormal pressure on the knees, hips, and ultimately to the back. Your feet are instrumental in your spinal health!
There are a couple of tips when looking for a back and foot safe shoe:
Look for arch support, and if there is none, then you could always get one from your local drug store to see if it provides more support.
Flats are always a better option than heels but, if heels are a must, try something chunky and under two inches in the rise.
Some shoes may have a removable insole, and this is a great opportunity to use a custom-fit orthotic or a high-end drug store purchase.
Your feet change as you grow but also during the time of day. Always shop at the end of the day when your foot is at its largest.
The ball of your foot should fall in the widest part of the shoe.
When you bend a shoe, it should only bend at the toe box.
If you can twist a shoe, it probably does not offer enough support, especially in the arch.
Never buy a shoe that is too tight or small because you are expecting it to stretch.
Your heel should fit into your shoe with a minimal amount of slipping.
Most people have one larger foot, so always fit the shoe to that foot.
The top of the shoe should be flexible and not stiff to allow for proper foot movement when walking.
Flats can be devastating to those with flat feet. It is often recommended to change your heel height from day to day.
Avoid flip flops, always opting for something that has an ankle strap or a broad strap across the top of the foot.
So how can we mix these tips and still look fabulous or work-appropriate? This is Stylebook, so let's tie my article to local retail. Here's my hit list that I am totally coveting from The Shoe Hive.
Softwave is a new line that Elizabeth just started carrying. An elevated loafer/sneaker with removable insoles so you can fit in your custom orthotics. Sidebar, they are also eco-friendly because they are chromium-free. So that means they don't use the harmful chemicals for tanning their leather - that's an awesome bonus.
Marion Parke shoes are not only gorgeous but comfortable. Many are not aware that Marion Parke was, in fact, a podiatric surgeon. She had the insole of her shoe designed with proper foot biomechanics in mind. Her footwear insole shapes to your foot, centers your weight and increases your stability. The design was made to prevent hip rotation and knee strain. She has a variety of heel heights coming in block and stiletto, but these block heel slingbacks are perfect for a fall return to work wardrobe. I also loved the brown suede booties. In fact, these shoes are so comfortable you probably don't have to pack your metro sneakers and can opt to wear them all day.
Another comfort line at The Shoe Hive is Paul Green. Paul Green also has a wide toe box, soft soles, room for inserts, and heel cups that form to your foot. My favorite option was the combat boot which is a little more casual with the knit detail.
The moral of the story is that you don't have to sacrifice function for form. Keep these tips in mind when you are on the hunt for a professional or fun shoe, and your body and feet will thank you.
