Heel Pain? How to get the right footwear?

You need to be careful about the kind of footwear you purchase. Here are some tips

Our feet are among the most n e g l e c t e d parts of our bodies. We cram them in shoes with shapes that seem alien, then stand on them, for hours on end.

And just about any foot condition can be made worse by poorly fitted shoes. When shoe shopping, here are some helpful hints from specialists:

Purchase shoes at the end of the day (when your feet are larger) to be sure they won't be too tight.

If you can't wiggle your toes, the shoes are too tight. Narrow or pointed-toed shoes have the least amount of room and can aggravate conditions such as bunions and hammertoes.

Try on shoes with socks.

Walk around the store in the shoes before purchasing. Do not expect shoes to stretch to fit your foot.

Shoes should have good arch support. Those that bend in the mid-sole area can lead to arch pain.