I’d classify this particular study as a Duh study if it weren’t so serious. After all, we do know that certain types of shoes can cause problems, such as bunions, hammertoes and fallen arches. We also know that more women have foot problems than do men. So do we really need a study to tell us that we’re doing it to ourselves?

Researchers in the United States studied 3372 people (1900 women) to evaluate the health of their feet. The study findings were published in the journal Arthritis Care & Research. The study subjects were asked about the types of shoes they wore both now and in the past and if they had any pain in their feet. If they did have pain, they were asked to qualify the pain – describe where it was, when it happened and how often it occurred.

The groups were divided according to their ages when they wore certain types of shoes and the shoes were divided into groups as well:

• good (low risk shoes including athletic and casual sneakers)
• average (mid risk shoes such as hard- or rubber-soled shoes, special shoes and work boots)
• poor  (high-risk shoewear that lack support and sound structure, including high-heeled shoes, sandals, and slippers).

As expected, the researchers found that more women reported general foot pain (29%) than men (19%). The women also had more pain in the hindfoot, which is typical of shoe-related pain, particularly from high heels.

Types of Problems Caused by Shoes

Bunions are (MedLinePlus.com):

Although bunions may run in families, narrow heeled shoes are the most common cause.

Hammertoes are (MedLinePlus.com):

Fallen arches are:

• The arch of your foot is flat on the ground aligned with the heel and ball of the foot

Plantar fasciitis is:

• Inflammation of the band of tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot

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Image: PhotoXpress.com

Post from: Blisstree

Poor Shoe Choices Now Mean Foot Pain Later

However, for some women, the high heels are hard to let go. Wearing high heels when you’re not pregnant is bad enough (Foot injuries put celebs on crutches), but when your balance is thrown off, your center of gravity changes, and your weight increases, you’re going to have even more problems with high heels. Many women actually end up with chronic pain because of their lengthy use of high heels.

I have to admit, before Nicole Richie gave birth, I saw her on Access Hollywood wearing really high heels -I remember thinking “how the heck can she walk on those when she’s due to deliver any day!?” Please don’t think I’m criticizing her – I’m not. She looked so happy and healthy that it wasn’t my call as to what shoes she wears, but it just seemed so impossible to me. The shoes in this photo aren’t as high as the ones I saw, but they’re not flip flops either.

Anyway, it seems that Angelina Jolie isn’t feeling as good about her feet, and according to this article, Angelina Jolie proves that pregnancy can be hell on feet, she has been having her heels lowered to a more comfortable level for her changing body.

I think that it’s great a celebrity is doing that because foot pain is something that can follow you for life – and if a celebrity that some women look up to is making an effort to take care of her feet and reduce foot pain, then maybe others will follow her example.

In some cases, reducing foot pain may mean wearing lower heels, in others, it may mean wearing higher heels – or shoes if you tend to go barefoot. It seems that being completely flat isn’t so good for your feet either: 2 types of shoes that cause foot pain

Here are some other posts about foot pain and foot care:

• Foot pain keeping you down?

• Foot pain causes a lot more than just discomfort – any podiatrists out there?

• Press release: New Treatments for Plantar Fasciitis

• Video: Orthotics for foot pain

Images: Newscom

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Post from: Blisstree

Angelina Jolie sets a good example – she’s taking care of her feet, reducing foot pain

03/07/2008

Sore Step Relief: New Treatments for Plantar Fasciitis
Ranging from conservative and surgical relief to those gadgets seen on television

San Francisco, CA

The foot is the part of the body critical for maintaining function, balance and coordination while walking. However, thousands of Americans step out of bed every morning with an excruciating throbbing sensation in the foot and heel, affecting their quality of life. For many, plantar fasciitis has become a “real pain.”

Plantar fasciitis is one of the most frequently seen conditions by foot and ankle orthopaedic surgeons. It is an overuse injury affecting a band of tissue (fasciia), which supports the arch and extends from the heel to the toes. Simply, it is a degenerative “wear and tear” of a tissue within the foot.

Click here to read the rest of the press release.

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Post from: Blisstree

Press release: New Treatments for Plantar Fasciitis