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The type of footwear we wear regularly primarily affects the way our foot is formed. Especially women who often wear tight high-heeled shoes suffer from problems not only related to foot pain but also ingrown nails, corns, or a bunion of the big toe. These ailments intensify if we do not alternate tight shoes with comfortable ones. Over the course of life the shape of the foot also changes, and tight shoes contribute to improper formation of the arch or foot. So how should we choose the right shoes to prevent these problems?
Criteria for choosing the right (and healthy) footwear
If you are struggling with pain and an unsuitable foot shape, it is very likely caused by inappropriate shoe design. You should pay attention especially if you experience:
- blisters
- corns
- ingrown nails
- deformity and calluses on the toe joints
Shoes should be selected so that the toes do not touch the top of the toe box (not even when walking). The shoe should rest on the arch and the toes should remain free with room for movement. You should buy shoes in the evening, since toes tend to swell slightly during the day, and if you buy shoes in the morning, they may not fit you after a full day of wear.
Too-tight footwear
If you suffer from the aforementioned problems, i.e. calluses or blisters, it means the chosen footwear is not suitable for your feet. If a shoe exerts inappropriate pressure on a part of the foot, it means it is too narrow at that spot and will deform your feet during the entire time you wear it (even if it gradually loosens). You can have the shoes altered, or better yet exchange them for a larger size, although it is possible that the design will not suit you and a larger size will press on a different area.
Shoes that are too large
If you choose footwear larger than what is actually suitable for your feet, you risk that it will not provide adequate support. The foot will tend to lift excessively in the shoe to prevent slipping, which can lead to shortening of the foot tendons and chronic pain associated with plantar fasciitis. The same problem can develop if you often wear worn-out and used sneakers.
Comfrey as a remedy for foot pain
If you often suffer from foot pain caused by improper footwear, you can relieve it or continuously alleviate or treat it with comfrey (Symphytum officinale). This herb contains many beneficial substances that support the regeneration of bone cells and tissues. You can apply it orally (by taking drops), by soaking your feet in a comfrey bath, with healing compresses, or in the form of an ointment.
