Head Back to School on the Right Foot

Back to school of course means lots of back to school shopping.  Pens, pencils, papers, notebooks, and of course a new pair of tennis shoes will need to be purchased.  Be sure you make the right purchase and start the year off right.  Follow these back to school shoe shopping tips and start the year right.

1.  Shop for shoes in the afternoon.  This is when your feet are most swollen and you will get the best fit.

2.  Bring the socks you plan to wear with your new shoes.  Different socks can change the way a shoe fits.

3.  Measure your feet each time you shop for shoes; especially if you're still growing!

4.  Remember size is a guideline, not a rule.  You may wear a a size seven in one brand and an eight and a half in another.  Get the sizes that fit.

5.  Shoes should not have a 'break-in period'  Your shoes should feel comfortable enough to walk out of the store in!

6.  Only you can tell if a shoe fits. 

7.  See a podiatrist if any foot troubles arise.  Call our office at 419-423-1888 to schedule an appointment.

Get Doctor Approved Shoes

"My feet are killing me!"

Have you muttered that complaint more times than you can remember? If you're ready to do something about the pain, your're ready to visit Step Alive Shoes.

One quarter of the bones in your body are located in your feet, and your feet are the foundation and support for the rest of your body. If you are experiencing foot, ankle, knee, lower back or shoulder pain, it very well may stem from a problem with your feet.

A properly fitted, supportive shoe, combined with an accommodative shoe insert, can put your feet in balance, and in turn, improve the alignment of the rest of your body.

At Step Alive Shoes, our trained specialists will fit you with shoes and inserts designed to address your particular foot shape and problems.

Why are properly fitted shoes important to your overall foot health?

Proper footwear is an integral part of any comprehensive foot care plan. In fact, the success of any treatment plan you rdoctor may prescribe can be enhanced or undermined by your choice of shoes.
The Step Alive Shoes staff, trained in foot pathology and properly fitting shoes, will help you make choices that will support your foot care plan, acommodate any foot problems, or simply offer both comfort and style.

90% of all people are wearing improperly fitted shoes. Most foot problems are caused or aggravated by improperly fitted shoes.

Beware of Transition to Fall Shoes

Unfortunately, the days of summer are dwindling. Today is the last day of July and in late August big yellow school buses will back and hauling kids to and from school.  We are all very aware of the changes in the trees, the weather, and our schedules that occur from summer to fall but what about the change in your shoes?  Women experience more foot pain in the fall due to the change in footwear.  This is because of the transition from sandals and open toed shoes into boots and sneakers.  Always wear properly fitting shoes and avoid shoes with no support or shoes that are worn out.  Also, keep these ten tips for foot health from the American Podiatric Medical Association.

Top Ten Foot Health Tips

1. Don't ignore foot pain—it's not normal. If the pain persists, see a podiatric physician.

2. Inspect your feet regularly. Pay attention to changes in color and temperature of your feet. Look for thick or discolored nails (a sign of developing fungus), and check for cracks or cuts in the skin. Peeling or scaling on the soles of feet could indicate athlete's foot. Any growth on the foot is not considered normal.

3. Wash your feet regularly, especially between the toes, and be sure to dry them completely.

4. Trim toenails straight across, but not too short. Be careful not to cut nails in corners or on the sides; it can lead to ingrown toenails. Persons with diabetes, poor circulation, or heart problems should not treat their own feet because they are more prone to infection.
5. Make sure that your shoes fit properly. Purchase new shoes later in the day when feet tend to be at their largest and replace worn out shoes as soon as possible.

6. Select and wear the right shoe for the activity that you are engaged in (i.e., running shoes for running).

7. Alternate shoes—don't wear the same pair of shoes every day.

8. Avoid walking barefooted—your feet will be more prone to injury and infection. At the beach or when wearing sandals, always use sunblock on your feet just as on the rest of your body.

9. Be cautious when using home remedies for foot ailments; self-treatment can often turn a minor problem into a major one.

10. If you are a person with diabetes, it is vital that you see a podiatric physician at least once a year for a check-up.

If you are experiencing foot pain do not hesitate to schedule an appointment with our doctor.  Your feet do a lot of work!  They deserve to be treated well.  Call us at 419-423-1888 or visit our website to request an appointment. 

Find Your Fit

The right shoes are extremely important for several reasons.  Improperly fitted shoes can cause blister and skin irritations, pain in your knees, back, and other joints, and of course pain in your feet.

Everything from serious foot disorders to more common foot and ankle conditions can be exacerbated by one, avoidable cause: inappropriate, poor quality, and/or ill-fitting shoes. Any podiatrist will tell you that a quality, properly fitted shoe pays big dividends for your feet—now and in the future.

The most important quality to look for in shoes is durable construction that will protect your feet and keep them comfortable. Shoes that do not fit properly can cause bunions, corns, calluses, hammertoes and other disabling foot disorders.

The Fitting

Here are some tips to help reduce the risk of foot problems when shopping for shoes:

• Don't force your feet into a pair of shoes in order to conform to the shape of the shoe. The shoe needs to conform to the shape of your foot.
• Fit new shoes to your largest foot. Most people have one foot larger than the other.
• Have both feet measured every time you purchase shoes. Foot size increases as you get older.
• If the shoes feel too tight, don't buy them. There is no such thing as a "break-in period."
• Many high-heeled shoes have a pointed or narrow toe box that crowds the toes and forces them into an unnatural triangular shape. As heel height increases, the pressure under the ball of the foot may double, placing greater pressure on the forefoot as it is forced into the pointed toe box. Limit heel height to two inches or less to protect your feet.
• Shoes should be fitted carefully to your heel as well as your toes.
• Sizes vary among shoe brands and styles. Judge a shoe by how it fits on your foot, not by the marked size.
• There should be a half-inch of space from the end of your longest toe to the end of the shoe.
• Try on new shoes at the end of the day. Your feet normally swell and become larger after standing or sitting during the day, which makes for a better fit.
• Be sure to try on both shoes. Walk around the shoe store in the shoes to make sure they fit well and feel comfortable.
• When the shoe is on your foot, you should be able to freely wiggle all of your toes.

Tips for Buying Golf Shoes

Golfing is a great way to get some exercise, spend time outdoors, and have fun.  However, the sport requires you to spend a lot of time on your feet walking from hole to hole and actually playing the sport.  Golf can loose it's allure if your feet are in pain for all nine holes. Common foot injuries and problems associated with golf are related to overdoing it, particularly if an underlying structural problem exists in your feet. This includes tendonitis, capsulitis, and ligament sprains and pulls, which can keep a golf enthusiast off the green. Improper shoes can bring on blisters, neuromas, and other pain in the feet. Podiatrists see these problems daily and can treat them conservatively to allow for a quick return to the sport.
Check out these tips for getting a properly fitted golf shoe and get back in the game.

Golf shoes come in a variety of types, from the traditional oxford-style to sandals and even boots. Whichever style you choose, look for shoes that are lightweight, well-cushioned in the soles and heels, made from a breathable material, water resistant and offer traction. The middle of the shoe should feel a little tighter than your everyday shoes to support your swing. Be sure to try on golf shoes with the socks you will normally wear to make sure to get the right fit.
More serious golfers may be interested in purchasing spikes. Just give yourself time to adjust to walking wearing spikes and make sure you know the policy for wearing them on each golf course. Spikes give added traction and help stabilize the foot during play. Spikes are made from different materials. Soft, polyurethane spikes that are less damaging to the green and lightweight, but don't offer as much traction as a heavier material. Carbide or ceramic spikes are for serious golfers who spend a lot of time on the greens. They are made of durable materials that often outlast the shoe's upper. Metal spikes often last the life of the shoe, are very durable, give good traction but must be carefully maintained to prevent rust.

If you are experiencing any foot pain that is slowing your game down, don't hesitate to call our office at 419-423-1888 to schedule an appointment.  Foot pain is not normal and shouldn't be interfering with your life.