If the Shoe Fits

In today's society most people buy trainers and shoes because they look cool or that they match your outfit. Unfortunately, many back, shoulder, neck and knee problems can be aggravated by poor choice in footwear. As we put on more weight the arches on our feet have a tendency to be put under more strain and this flattens our feet giving us the term flexible flat feet. The problem with this is that it causes a chain reaction throughout our body at each joint to help balance out the change in weight distribution. I myself have a high arch in my left foot, this has caused changes in my knee, inversion in my hips and back which causes me pain in my upper shoulder although there is little pain in my feet. I have since invested in good orthotics and this has helped me massively and the pain has almost gone and my posture and movement is much better.

Many sports shops now have food placement analysis and can advise you on what type of shoe would be best suited to you feet or even needed recommend somewhere to get custom insoles. You can however do a simple test at home by wetting the bottom of your feet and walking normally onto plain paper. Whilst you can still see the wet outline simply draw around with a pen you can then see the natural impression your foot makes as you walk.

Having the correct footwear can make exercise so much more enjoyable and less painful for most of the population. With increased exercise you will notice the benefits including a reduction in body weight and this will also reduce the amount of pressure loading the joints which will also make exercise much more enjoyable and less painful.

Special blog post editorial from one of our FitFarms Health and Fitness instructors.

Image Credit: Flickr.com/photos/JosiahMackenzie/