- For daily wear choose a wide-toed shoe with secure fastenings, a heel height of no more than 2cm to 3cm (half an inch to an inch), plus a firm but flexible sole.
What foot pain can tell you
# A pain down the back of the lower leg could be Achilles tendinitis. Constantly wearing high heels, platforms or wedges can shorten your Achilles tendon. Answer: Stretch out your calf muscles regularly.
#Pain in the balls of your feet could be metatarsalgia caused by wearing thin-soled shoes daily. Answer: Use gel insoles to relieve the pressure on the balls of your feet. Ensure any high heel is centred under your natural heel, rather than further back, to better distribute your weight.
# A bony bump on your big toe is likely to be a bunion. You can get one even if you only wear trainers (there is a genetic element in this) but high or tight shoes make bunions painful and inflamed. Answer: Orthotic inserts take the pressure off a bunion by supporting the arch of the foot - get custom advice from a podiatrist.
#Hurting heels could be plantar fascitis, caused by wearing thin-soled ballet pumps or flip-flops with little arch support or shock absorption. Answer: Choose pumps with shock-absorbing rubber soles and a small heel to save arches. Save flip-flops for the beach.
#Painful toes could be due to corns, neuromas or hammer toes. Remember that pointy shoes and those that show 'toe cleavage' squeeze your toes into an unnatural shape. Answer: Go for a wider toe-box, especially if wearing high heels.
Source: Feature in Good Housekeeping, July 2017
