A growing interest in walking as an inexpensive but effective way to exercise has put the spotlight on feet again. You may have noticed that your older feet are more sensitive than they used to be. Despite complaints of painful feet, style conscious individuals continue to choose “glamorous footwear,” even though they risk further pain and the possibility of a serious fall.
Lee Ji-yoon (McClatchy-Tribune Business News: February 10, 2011) reminds us that one-third of people over 65 are injured in fall related accidents every year. In order to prevent accidents that are related to walking, experts insist that choosing the right shoes and walking properly are important considerations.
For your health, you should be fitting your shoes to your feet, rather than fitting your feet into the wrong shoes. After years of wearing high heeled and pointed toed shoes people are suffering the consequences. Back pain, sprains, knee discomfort, bunions, corns, calluses, ingrown toe nails and other indignities, do not just happen.
If your sense of balance has been compromised you need to be especially mindful when you purchase new shoes. Podiatrists recommend polyurethane soles to prevent slipping. An incline of about 10 degree is proper for the heel. If the heel of your shoes is worn out they should be discarded, even though it is hard to deep-six a shoe that still feels good. The ideal shoe has a broad based heel with the height no greater than 4 centimeters. The bottom should be flat and cushioned for comfort and stability.
When buying shoes try to choose a store that offers a large selection and has a well-trained staff. This is easier said than done. You have probably noticed that shoes stores these days have rows and rows of unattended shoes. You can consider yourself lucky if someone will point you in the right direction. Persevere. Ask for help. You should have your feet measured every time as the width of your foot may change from time to time. Different shoe manufacturers size shoes differently too. They know that people, especially women, are very vain about their feet and will buy a smaller sized shoe. Always try shoes on. Always try on both shoes and fit them to your larger foot. Walk around the store so that you know that your toes have room and your heels fit snuggly.
What is the story behind a correct walking posture? You have been walking for years, why should you have to pay attention to your walking posture now? After long years of slouching and slumping and bone changes as you get older, you may have noticed that you aren’t striding along quite as confidently any more. Stand straight and look 5-6 meters ahead of you, not at the ground. Walk in a straight line and have the outside of your heel touch the ground first, and then move your weight from the whole foot to the front part. Remember when your mom had you practice walking with a big book on your head? Practice walking that same way now. It is easier than it sounds. If you are standing tall and have a good pair of shoes you could be walking around for a very long time.
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