I used to be on the train yesterday, and I overheard someone talking about their anatomically appropriate shoes. At first I didn't think anything of it--they must be talking about some corrective footwear for someone with severe foot problems. But then it acquired me thinking. What are anatomically correct shoes?
What They Are:
Merely put, anatomically correct shoes are shoes that fit your feet. and provide a perfect blend of comfort and support. This kind of footwear is also known by a few other names: ergonomic shoes, orthopedic shoes, or orthotics--all of those names are interchangeable. Orthopedic shoes mold to the natural curves of your feet--they reinforce the natural design and movement of your feet. They need to also feel as natural and comfortable as a second skin.
You would possibly say, "That's all well and good, but what do anatomically appropriate shoes do?" A superb pair of orthodics should have the next options:
Arch Help: A quality pair of orthopedic shoes provide firm arch support. They curve to meet your instep, stopping or correcting flat feet. Proper arch assist eliminates ankle soreness and the pain on the inside of your feet. Good arch assist in an ergonomic shoe gives you better balance and improves your posture--which might right knee, hip, and back problems.
Heel Help: Well made ergonomic footwear conforms to the curves of your heel. They should support and cradle your heel and provide shock absorption very heel strike as you walk or run. They need to middle your heel and prevent it from sliding around inside your shoe.
Flexibility: Properly fitting orthopedic shoes should have a natural flex and bend to them; they need to have the same motion as your feet. This flexibility comes from a balance of support and cushioning. It also comes from the integration of the heel and arch helps for maximum effectiveness.
Comfort: Above all else, anatomically right shoes are comfortable. Shoes which can be really ergonomic are the world's most comfortable shoes in your feet. The reason they're so comfortable is because they provide help in along the your whole foot--from the heel to the toe--they conform to the distinctive curves of your foot, and they bend and flex naturally just like your toes do.
What They Are NOT:
Anatomically correct shoes usually are not your grandmother's shoes. Sure, they are orthopedic shoes--they DO appropriate for foot problems and ease foot pain. The reason they're "orthopedic" is that they restore your feet to their natural state. Individuals care for their toes by wearing ergonomic shoes. They do this because anatomically appropriate shoes not only treat foot injuries, in addition they forestall them. A quality pair of ergonomic shoes will not be just practical--they are trendy and comfortable too.