How to Choose Shoes - The Texas Foot Specialists

Go for Comfort

Shoes are an essential part of our everyday wardrobe. But if this is something that you would be wearing often then choosing comfort over style is the better choice. A quick look into your lifestyle will give you valuable insight into what type of footwear to use.

Flat Feet and High Arches

Make a quick assessment if you have flat feet or a high arch by doing this simple test. Get your feet wet and stand on a piece of paper. Check the silhouette or foot print left on the paper. If the footprint leaves an impression with your middle feet clearly visible then this indicates a flat foot. If a thin line connecting the ball of the foot to the heel is visible, then it can indicate a high arch.

Wearing the Right Shoes for Flat Foot and High Arches

Wear shoes that take into account your foot structure. This does not only mean wearing the right shoe size but shoes that provide additional support for flat foot or high arches. Flat foot sufferers should opt for inserts that give additional support to the middle of the feet. People with a high arch on the other hand should go for slightly elevated heels and good arch support. If you have questions visit a podiatrist. Dr. Bruce Miller and Dr. Gregory Mangum are Podiatrists who specialize in helping people with foot disorders and injuries.

Shoe Equipment

Choosing the right sport equipment involves choosing which shoe works best in enhancing performance. Sports shoes are designed to provide optimum support for specific sport activities. Running shoes for marathons and basketball shoes for cushioning the impact of jumps and running across the court.

Give your feet a breather from high heels

Proper foot care does not prevent us from wearing high heels. It only asks us to avoid wearing high heels constantly for long periods of time.  Turning it down a few inches helps decrease the pressure of our weight bearing down on our heels and feet.

An essential part of foot care is wearing appropriate foot wear. This goes beyond wearing the right shoes size. Your shoes should also take into account your foot structure and the type of activity. Wearing sandals in public showers for example protects your feet from coming in contact with infection. Another example is wearing running shoes that help absorb the impact of your feet pounding against the ground. 

The Texas Foot Specialists located in Sugar Land, Pasadena and Houston, we specialize in helping people with foot disorders. To schedule an appointment call Sugar Land (281) 242-4448, Pasadena (281) 991-0600 and Houston (713) 664-6677.

Heel Pain - Texas Foot Specialists

Heel pain is a relatively common affliction that affects many people, and celebrities are no exceptions. Victoria Beckham, former Spice Girl and wife to international football star David Beckham, suffers from bunions and chronic heel pain as a result of her disdain for flats and refusal to wear any other shoes apart from high heels.

High heels are one possible cause for heel pain, but there are many reasons why one might experience discomfort in the heel area.

Dr. Gregory Mangum and Dr. Bruce Miller are podiatrists who specializes in helping people with heel pain and plantar fasciitis.

What Causes Heel Pain?

One of the leading causes of heel pain is Plantar fasciitis, which is often caused by inflammation of a thick band of tissue that connects your heel bone to your toe, clinically called the plantar fascia. This tissue runs across the bottom of your foot to create the arch.

Another reason why you might experience pain in the heel area is Achilles tendinitis, which can be diagnosed by your doctor via an MRI or an ultrasound. If you experience discomfort alongside the back of your help, that is a common symptom of Achilles tendinitis, but if the pain is on the bottom of your heel, you’re more likely to have Plantar fasciitis.

How can I prevent heel pain?

The foot contains 26 bones, the largest bone of which being your heel. If you take proper precautions, you can avoid discomfort and pain.

• Make sure your shoes provide support for your feet and fit correctly
• Stretch before you exercise
• Maintain a healthy diet- obesity can trigger various issues with the feet, so by maintaining a healthy diet, you avoid putting that extra stain on your feet.

Wear proper shoes- while you may enjoy living on the more fashionable side of life, high heels can cause deformities that in turn, trigger pain.

How is heel pain treated?

Orthotic devices can elevate your arches and provide cushioning to aching heels
If several months of treatment don’t work, or your tendon has torn, doctors may suggest surgery to repair your Achilles tendon

• Doctors can prescribe strong anti-inflammatory and pain medication 

The Texas Foot Specialists located in Sugar Land, Pasadena and Houston we specialize in helping people suffering with foot conditions.  To schedule an appointment call Sugar Land (281) 242-4448, Pasadena (281) 991-0600 and Houston (713) 664-6677.