Prevent Chiropractic Problems with the Right Athletic Shoe

When shopping for athletic shoes, most of us don't taking into consideration the functional aspects of the shoe; we make our choice based on the aesthetics of the sneaker, and tolerate a large degree of discomfort as a result. Rationalizations aside, however, our footwear has a major impact on our chiropractic health. During times of physical activity, and in particular for athletes like runners, these factors can largely determine spinal well-being.

You should know that your feet are different than everyone else's on the planet, and so you must consider the specific traits of them to match up with the perfect pair of shoes for you. A reasoned choice now will spare you endless pain and stress later to your hips, feet, legs and back.

Before anything else, see if you can categorize your foot type, between flat, high-arched, and normal. What aspects of a shoe are appropriate to your foot type?

• Normal Foot: Characterized by its normal arch this foot type leaves a slightly flaring footprint that connects the heel and ball with the outside edge of the foot. As you walk, notice that there is a slight inward rolling motion, beginning from the outside of the heel. Shoes that best fit this type of foot have a gentle curve to them, and are considered stability shoes.
• Flat foot: Those who have flat feet have a low arch and almost the entire sole of your foot touches the floor as you walk. This usually means that your foot has over-pronation, or an excessive inward rolling as the foot moves from the heel to the toes. Many people who have this kind of feet develop chronic pain in the arch of their feet. The best type of shoe for this foot-type is one that has high stability and does not have much cushioning, especially in the middle of the sole. Also, it should be a molded shoe that is resistant to twisting or bending so that it controls the motion of the foot as it moves.
• High-arched Foot: This kind of foot makes a footprint with almost no connection between the ball and heel of the foot, which can be a signal of under-pronation, where the foot fails to absorb the shock of walking, and hits the ground heavily with every step. A shoe with a lot of flexibility and cushioning is best for this foot, as it softens the blow, and encourages more foot motion.
  
  

If you can't determine your foot-type on your own, you may consult your chiropractor for an assessment of your gait, and suggestions for what type of shoe might suit you best.

When you do get to a retailer, ready to make a purchase, you should bear in mind the following guidelines. What are you going to be doing in this particular shoe? For running, you'll need a shoe with more ability to absorb shock in the heel. The amount of side-to-side motion on the tennis court requires a shoe with a good deal of lateral stability. Good walking shoes will allow your foot to roll naturally, and have enough cushioning to absorb the long-term, low impact that can build up.

Timing is important: shop when your feet are at their largest, after a sustained workout or later in the day, after work. It's not uncommon for people to find themselves in ill-fitting shoes that were comfortable at an early time of fitting. Be sure to adequately simulate the conditions of your regular activity in your shoe, when trying it on. This means using your typical socks, as well as any orthotic device you make use of for posture. This is extremely important, as an orthotic device or particularly thick sock can alter the fit of a shoe up to a size or two.

This brings us to the next point — find the right shoe fit for the specific shoe you’re trying on now, and don’t go by the size you’ve always worn. When you try on the shoe, you should have adequate room to move your toes around in the toe box, and it shouldn’t feel constricting. The heel of your foot should fit into the heel of the shoe without sliding up and down as you walk/run. Ask a store associate for shoes that are specifically made for your foot-type, especially if you are flat-footed or have a foot that is high-arched. Special shoes are made to help with the stride of your walk and to make sure you keep the proper posture. If it’s possible, try to keep the shoe on for at least 10 minutes to really get a feel for the comfort.

Remember, measure your foot with an employee with each visit. Also, sand while it's being measured, as your foot elongates and gets flatter when you are in a standing position. Getting an accurate measurement of each foot is key, because your feet change individually over time, based on your weight and age. It's not uncommon for people to have differently sized feet.

When you've used shoes for a while, it's important to replace shoes with too much wear and tear. It's time to buy a new pair of shoes when the cushioning in the mid-sole is flattened, and can as a result not absorb shock any more. Heel spurs, plantar fasciitis, shin splints, and many other podiatric and chiropractic problems can result from wearing such old, worn-out sneakers.