Dress Shoes and Comfortable, Together at Last: Leading Podiatrist Offers Tips for Selecting Foot-Friendly High Heels and Dress Shoes

Today’s dress shoe trends are prompting women to squeeze their feet into shoes that are too tall or narrow, creating heavy pressure on their bones, joints, nerves and blood vessels. This not only results in discomfort while wearing the shoes, it can lead to long-term foot health disorders.

(PRWEB) July 6, 2005

It’s no secret that women love to wear high heels and when they do, style is usually valued over comfort. However, today’s dress shoe trends are prompting women to squeeze their feet into shoes that are too tall or narrow, creating heavy pressure on their bones, joints, nerves and blood vessels. This not only results in discomfort while wearing the shoes, it can lead to long-term foot health disorders. So, what can women do to maintain comfort while wearing today’s trendy dress shoes?

“Celebrities often set the stage for today’s style trends, especially regarding footwear,” says Dr. Paul Kasdan, a leading podiatrist and founder of OurFootDoctor.com. “High heel and pointed dress shoes are a leading cause of foot disorders such as plantar fasciitis (pain in the heel or arch) in women and can lead to posture problems. While it’s not necessary to avoid these styles of shoes completely, they should be worn in moderation.”

Dr. Kasdan explains that the number one reason for discomfort is an improper fit. According to a spring 2005 survey administered by OurFootDoctor.com* , 64 percent of female shoe buyers did not have their feet measured before purchasing them and continued wearing the same size shoes for several years. As people age, their feet widen and lengthen. In addition, dress shoe sizes are not consistent throughout styles. Therefore, feet need to be measured and shoes need to be tried on each time a purchase is made.

In addition to these characteristics, Dr. Kasdan offers a simple list of tips for trying on dress shoes:

• Mind shoe material. The upper part of the shoe should be made of soft leather and the outer sole should be as thick as possible.
• Accommodate arches. Dress shoes should have a well-padded inner sole, providing support for the arch.
• Watch those heels. The height of the heel should be 1/2 to one-inch higher than the sole; anything greater will cause the foot to slide forward, creating discomfort.
• Encourage wiggle-room. It is ideal for the toe box, or area where the toes lie, to be rounded, not tapered or pointed.
• Shop in the afternoon. Feet swell as the day progresses, so it is important to try on new shoes later in the day as opposed to early.
• Try a shoe insert. Eliminate the common problem of slipping out of dress shoes by using a very thin orthotic, specially designed for women's narrow flats and high heels. Try OurFootDoctor.com’s OrthoFeet Women’s Bio-Sole High Heel Dress Inserts or Superfeet DressFit Inserts, which evenly support feet and relieve foot pain and pressure.

For more tips to keep your feet healthy, visit http://www.OurFootDoctor.com.

About OurFootDoctor.com

Founded by Dr. Paul Kasdan in 1999, OurFootDoctor.com is a division of OurHealthNetwork.com (http://www.OurHealthNetwork.com) which provides a reliable source of information relative to foot ailments and other medical problems, and is a convenient option for affordable high quality healthcare products, most notably custom-made orthotics. OurFootDoctor.com has reached out to more than 40 million Americans who suffer from foot ailments. For more information visit http://www.OurFootDoctor.com.

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