As the summer turns to fall, the weather is about to start to cool down. This means that soon, we’ll actually be able to go outside for longer amounts of time without sweating buckets. For those that enjoy a brisk walk, we might be approaching the best time of the year to get out there and be active.
Having an active lifestyle is admirable, but we realize that it can be difficult for some people who experience foot or ankle pain on a daily basis. Generally speaking, any foot or ankle pain is considered abnormal, so it’s important to see your doctor and potentially even a podiatrist to find out what the issue is and to help fix it. One way to do this is by choosing the right footwear for daily use.
In this article, we’ll go over the potential underlying causes of your foot pain as well as the best shoes for walks this autumn. Remember that seeking help for your foot pain is best done sooner rather than later. Your quality of life often depends on your ability to move around normally. If your feet are bothering you, your quality of life will inevitably decline, which is why it’s so important to address these issues.
What are Walking Shoes?
While it might seem like a silly question, most people don’t realize that walking shoes and running shoes are different. Usually, you’ll see a sneaker on a rack and assume that it shares the same benefits of comfort and quality as shoes deemed “walking” or “running” shoes. This is not necessarily true.
In fact, there are several features that are unique to a walking shoe. These include:
- Heel collar – creates a cushion for the ankle and provides a proper fit
- Insole – cushions inside the shoe that provide support for your arches
- Midsole – helps reduce the impact of your foot coming into contact with the ground, usually made of gel or foam
- Toe box – provides room and protection for your toes
- Achilles tendon protector – reduces the stress put on your Achilles tendon
Because walking and running do different things to your body, it’s easy to deduce that shoes made for walking or running will be different from each other. Wearing these types of shoes during the right activity allows you to keep your muscles and joints healthy and protected.
Best Walking Shoes For Women
You want to find the best shoes that are going to allow you to walk without experiencing any foot pain. Shoe choice can be very important when it comes to foot health. For many women, years of wearing ill-fitting or uncomfortable shoes like high heels can create chronic foot pain. The best way to figure out what’s right for your feet is to contact a specialist.
Depending on your specific condition, you’ll need shoes that can address the true issue at hand. While getting a pair of comfortable sneakers for walking is a great start, it probably won’t make the entire problem go away. In order to do that, you’ll likely need the help of orthotics.
Orthotics are foot inserts prescribed by a podiatrist that address the condition of your feet. Custom orthotics are regarded by many as the best way to treat day-to-day foot problems. They can take care of a number of issues including:
- Providing support
- Restricting the improper movement of the feet
- Reducing pain
- Assisting in the mobility of the feet
Orthotics are designed to fit your specific needs. The specialists who prescribe you the orthotics will be able to find the best fit for all conditions, including:
- Flat feet
- Heel pain
- High or low arches
- Ankle pain
- Pain in the ball of the foot
- Bunions
- Big toe pain
If you have any of the issues listed above, we advise you to seek professional care. Not only will you be able to manage your pain, but you will also be able to do the activities you once enjoyed without the fear of injury or excessive stress on your feet.
Best Walking Shoes For Men
Taking a closer look into orthotics, you’ll notice that they are primarily designed to adjust or correct the way you walk. If you are experiencing foot pain, something about the way you walk is probably off. Orthotics work to alleviate foot pain by readjusting the muscles in your feet so that you are putting the right amount of pressure in the right places when you walk.
Orthotics and orthopedic shoes can save you from surgery later down the road. When we allow ourselves to continue walking around without the right support, our feet degrade at a faster rate. Plus, the other benefits include improved balance, improved support, and the prevention of other injuries caused by improperly performed activities like running or walking.
While the aesthetic value of a shoe is important, you also want to consider what the inside of your shoe feels like to you. Custom orthotics are specially crafted to fit the individual needs of your feet. For the best results regarding foot pain, you’ll want to consult an expert who can assess your needs and create the best insert for you.
In Need of Custom Orthotics?
At Foot and Ankle Specialists of Illinois, we provide comprehensive foot care to those in the Algonquin, Huntley, Carpentersville, and surrounding areas of Illinois. If you’re looking for a podiatrist, don’t hesitate to check out our website or book an appointment with us. We treat many conditions, including bunions, heel and arch pain, diabetic conditions, and even nerve pain.
Our professionals are committed to working with you to create the best solution to your chronic foot pain, whatever the cause may be. Often, we are able to help our patients through orthotic prescriptions as well as other remedies like anti-inflammatory medications. Foot and ankle health are the basis of a person’s overall well-being. This is why it’s so important to consult a specialist when finding the right shoes for you. For more information about foot health, check out more articles on our blog.
