What Makes a Good Shoe?

Posted by drjills on in Ball of Foot, Callus

Did you know that one of the primary causes of foot problems is the shoes your wear? At Dr. Jill’s Foot Pads, many of our most popular products are used to treat discomfort that was caused, at least in part, by poor footwear choices. In addition, the majority of people are wearing shoes that are not the correct size for their feet. When it’s time to purchase your next pair of shoes, get your feet professionally measured and decrease your risk of foot health problems by looking for the features on the checklist below:

  • Toe box that is roomy enough for you to freely wiggle all your toes
  • Thick sole to act as a good shock absorber
  • Adequate arch support
  • Made of breathable material strong enough to firmly hold the heel in place and provide ankle support
  • Flexible enough to allow the forefoot to flex naturally when walking

Consequences of Poor Footwear Choices

The wrong shoes can cause be a source of severe foot pain and discomfort. Some areas of concern include:

Ball of Foot Pain—lack of insole cushioning or a sole that is too thin can result in too much impact on the ball of your foot. Our Gel Ball of Foot Cushions provide a soft, padding between your foot and the shoe. It’s also helpful if you suffer with a neuroma or dropped metatarsal head.

Crooked Toes—shoes that have a very narrow, pointy toe box cause digits to be squished together for long periods of time. This can result in permanent toe deformities such as bunions, hammertoes and crooked toes. If your toes have already started to show signs of becoming crooked, switch to roomier styles and use our Wrap Straps which can be custom cut and fitted to re-position two or more toes.

Calluses—although a callus may show itself on the surface of the skin of your feet, the source is often pressure that causes a problem deep within the foot. The callus is an attempt to protect an area that has become vulnerable. Our U-Shaped Foam Pads can be used anywhere on the foot where a callus has formed. Gel Callus Cushions are another effective way to offload pain from the callused area.

You can order all of our products easily online. If you need assistance, don’t hesitate to contact us by calling: (866) FOOT-PAD (366-8723). We look forward to serving all your foot comfort needs.