26 bones, 16 joints, 20 muscles. Love them or hate them, our feet are the foundation of our bodies. They allow us to walk, jump, and run. Each foot is a series of arches, along the sides and on the sole of the foot.
These arches compress when the foot hits the ground, then sink, distributing the force of the body’s weight on the ground. When the foot lifts again, the crushed arches bounce back and return to their original position. However, sometimes these arches do not form properly, or collapse.
A host of problems can result: flat feet, high arches, plantar fasciitis, fractures, hallux valgus or even ankle sprains. And all of these problems have one thing in common: pain.
Stiletto heels, the sworn enemy of feet
That’s why Dan Baumgardt, a lecturer in the School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience at the University of Bristol in the UK, explains in The Conversation the importance of good footwear. Properly fitting shoes are essential to good foot health. The best shoes are those that support the arch of the foot and do not force the feet or toes into unnatural positions. ” he said.
Stiletto heels, for example, elevate the heel of the foot, preventing it from making proper contact with the ground. In addition, by squeezing the toes into the tips of the shoes, they crush them, which can lead to deformities such as hammertoes or hallux valgus. Sometimes these deformities become fixed or very painful and may require surgery.
The trap of flat shoes like ballet flats and espadrilles
If you already avoid high heels to protect your feet, don’t fall into the opposite trap. Shoes with completely flat soles, such as some ballet flats and espadrilles, are also not very good for the feet. “, continues Dan Baumgardt. These shoes do not support the arch of the foot, which can lead to back, hip and knee problems, as well as plantar fasciitis.
According to the specialist, 13 to 36% of people suffer from foot pain, especially women. It is therefore high time to choose suitable shoes that support the plantar cost and avoid unnecessary pain.
Source: www.topsante.com
