Selecting An Athletic Shoe That's Right For You!

There are so many brands and styles of athletic shoes that it can become a daunting task to know which shoe will serve you best during your athletic activities. The American Podiatric Medical Association has done extensive research on athletic shoes and offers their recommendations for the best shoes on the market that will give you the best protection and comfort. Their recommendations are as follows:

Neutral Shoes for the High Arched Foot:
Adidas Supernova Cushion or Supernova Classic
Asics Nimbus or Cumulus
Brooks Glycerin, Dyad, or Epiphany
Mizuno Wave Creation 5 or Wave Rider 7
New Balance 1022 or 880
Nike Pegasus
Pearl Izumi VisIQ
Saucony Trigon Responsive

Stability Shoes for the Medium Arched Foot:
Adidas Supernova Control
Asics Gel-Kayano 10, Creed, GT 2090, or Gel 1090
Brooks Trance, Adrenaline GTS 5, or Vantage
Mizuno Alchemy or Wave Mercury 4
New Balance 991, 855, 765, or 716
Nike Structure Triax, Moto, or Althea
Saucony Hurricane or Omni


Motion Control Shoes for the Low Arched Foot:
Adidas Brevard or Cairo
Asics Gel Foundation Plus
Brooks Ariel or Addiction
Etonic Pro3 MC2
Mizuno Legend or Renegade
New Balance 587
Nike Durham
Saucony Stabil MC


For a more thorough explanation of how to choose an athletic shoe, click on the link below.

http://www.apma.org/MainMenu/News/FeatureArticles/HowtoChooseanAthleticShoeThatsRightforYou.aspx

As always, you may call the office to set up an appointment to have Shoe Specialist evaluate your feet and make the appropriate athletic shoe recommendation.

It's The Holiday Season...Well, Soon, Anyway

In preparation for the upcoming holiday season, take heed of the following important tips offered by the American Podiatric Medical Association:

Lots of holiday shopping usually means lots of walking, sometimes running and it can all add up to painful feet! A survey by the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) shows the number one way women (Hey! Men Shop Too!) soothe their soles during the holiday madness is by moisturizing their feet. Stretching and massaging the feet are also on the list of favorite foot fixes. APMA offers a few more ways to keep your feet merry this holiday season:

Point Your Toes – Avoid toe cramping by raising, pointing and curling your toes for five seconds each and repeat 10 times. You won’t even break a sweat!

Massage Your Feet – Women (and men) like it because it works! Release tension, increase circulation and rejuvenate the skin after a long day on your feet. Get out the lotion and rub those toes!

Elevate Your Legs – Reduce swelling by lying down and lifting legs above your heart.

Rotate Your Ankles – Relax your feet by rotating your ankles, cupping your heel and turning each ankle slowly five times. This loosens the ankle joints.

Wear Smart Shoes – No high heels! (Or flip-flops, or sandals...) If you know you will be on
your feet all day, wear comfortable shoes with arch support and a padded sole.

SAVE YOUR FEET DURING BLACK FRIDAY!!!

If you would like to be fitted for a custom pair, our Shoe Specialist will be more than happy to set up an appointment with you to assist you in ordering your specialized! You can call the office at 419-423-1888 to set up an appointment. Please be sure to explore both our clinic website and on-line store. We strive to provide you with the most up-to-date information and footcare products so that you can have the healthiest feet possible!

Tips to Avoid a Flip-Flop Fiasco

Following the recommendations listed below, which are provided by the American Podiatrtic Medical Association will ensure that when you wear flip-flops, your feet will remain protected and healthy!

Shop for a flip-flop made of high-quality, soft leather. Leather minimizes the potential
for blisters and other types of irritation.

DO’S:
• Do look for flip-flops that hold APMA’s Seal of Acceptance, such as those made by SOLE
and Orthaheel. Evaluated by a team of APMA podiatrists, these products are shown to
allow for the most normal foot function and promote quality health.
• Do gently bend the flip-flop from end to end, ensuring it bends at the ball of the foot.
Shoes of any kind should never fold in half.
• Do wear a sturdy pair of flip-flops when walking around a public pool, at the beach, in
hotel rooms and in locker room areas. Walking barefoot can expose foot soles to plantar
warts and athlete’s foot.
• Do ensure that your foot doesn’t hang off of the edge of the flip-flop.

DO NOT'S
•Don’t re-wear flip-flops year after year. Inspect older pairs for wear. If they show signs of
severe wear, discard them.
• Don’t ignore irritation between toes, where the toe thong fits. This can lead to blisters and
possible infections.
• Don’t wear flip-flops while walking long distances. Even the sturdiest flip-flops offer little
in terms of shock absorption and arch support.
• Don’t do yard work while wearing flip-flops. Always wear a shoe that fully protects feet
when doing outside activities such as mowing the lawn or using a weed-eater.
• Don’t play sports in flip-flops. This practice can lead to twisting of the foot or ankle, as
well as sprains and breaks.

Baby's First Shoes

It is ill-advised to force a child to walk. When physically and mentally ready, the child will walk. Comparisons with other children are misleading, since age for independent walking ranges from 10 to 18 months.

When a baby first begins to walk, shoes are not necessary indoors. As a toddler, walking barefoot allows the youngster's foot to grow normally and to develop its musculature and strength, as well as the grasping action of toes. Of course, when walking outside or on rough surfaces, babies' feet should be protected in lightweight, flexible footwear made of natural materials.

If you have any questions or concerns about what appropriate footwear to provide for your child, please call the office to set up an appointment (419-423-1888).

Take The 1, 2, 3 Test!

When purchasing new shoes, or checking if your shoes are still in good condition, use the following quick guidelines:

1. Look for a stiff heel cup. Press on both sides of the heel - it shouldn't collapse.

2. Check toe flexibility. The shoe should bend with your toes. It shouldn't bee too stiff of bend too much in the toe box.

3. Select a shoe that's rigid in the middle. Does your shoe twist? Your shoe should never twist in the middle.

(These tips are suggested by the American Podiatric Medical Association)

If you would like to be fitted for a custom pair, our Shoe Specialist will be more than happy to set up an appointment with you to assist you in ordering your specialized! You can call the office at 419-423-1888 to set up an appointment. Please be sure to explore both our clinic website and on-line store. We strive to provide you with the most up-to-date information and footcare products so that you can have the healthiest feet possible!

Sport Specific Shoes

Below is information that will help you to choose the appropriate shoe for your athletic activities. For each sport listed, the particular physical requirements and injuries are listed as well as the special attributes shoes should have to prevent injuries.

SPORT: Basketball
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENT: Running, jumping
POSSIBLE INJURIES: Ankle sprains, plantar fasciitis, tendonitis
SHOE ATTRIBUTES: Thick stiff sole, high ankle support, shock absorption

SPORT: Tennis
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Lateral movement, shifting of weight
POSSIBLE INJURIES: Ankle sprains, plantar faciitis, corn, calluses
SHOE ATTRIBUTES: Support on both sides of the shoe, flexible soles

SPORT: Running
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Leg extension, force on the ball of the foot
POSSIBLE INJURIES: Shin splints, heel pains, blisters
SHOE ATTRIBUTES: Shock absorption, control, bendable, room for orthotics

SPORT: Soccer
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Running, lateral movement, jumping
POSSIBLE INJURIES: Heel pain, shin splints
SHOE ATTRIBUTES: Multiple cleats in the heel, enough room for thick soccer socks

Five Shoe Buying Tips for Children

The following steps are recommendations from the American Podiatric Medical Association:

1. Take your child shoe shopping. It's important to have your child's feet measured before buying shoes. Letting a child have a say in the shoe buying process promotes healthy foot habits down the road.

2. Shop for shoes later in the day. Feet tend to swell during the day; it's best to be fitted while they are swollen.

3. Buy shoes that do not need a "break-in" period; shoes should be comfortable immediately.

4. Always buy for the larger foot. Feet are seldom precisely the same size.

5. Have your child try on shoes with socks or tights, if that's how they will be worn.

Walking & Your Feet

Walking improves cardiovascular fitness. As an aerobic exercise, walking gets the heart beating faster to transport oxygen-rich blood from the lungs to the muscles. The heart and lungs grow more efficient with a regular walking regimen, reducing blood pressure and the resting heart rate. Walking is even a central element of medical rehabilitation. Recovery from many ailments, including heart attack, is facilitated by a regular walking regimen.

When you do walk, it is important to be wearing the appropriate shoe for protection, support, and comfort. The Advanced Footcare Clinic has an in-house shoe specialist that is more than willing to assist you in selecting the right shoe for you. Please call the office - 419-423-1888 - for an appointment!

Selecting the Right Shoe for You!

Buying Tips
1. Have your feet measured while you’re standing.
2. Always try on both shoes, and walk around the store.
3. Always buy for the larger foot; feet are seldom precisely the same size.
4. Don’t buy shoes that need a “break-in” period; shoes should be comfortable immediately.
5. Don’t rely on the size of your last pair of shoes. Your feet do get larger, and lasts (shoemakers’ sizing molds) also vary.
6. Shop for shoes later in the day; feet tend to swell during the day, and it’s best to be fitted while they are in that state.
7. Be sure that shoes fit well—front, back, and sides—to distribute weight. It sounds elementary, but be sure the widest part of your foot corresponds to the widest part of the shoe.
8. Select a shoe with a leather upper, stiff heel counter, appropriate cushioning, and flexibility at the ball of the foot.
9. Buy shoes that don’t pinch your toes, either at the tips, or across the toe box.
10. Try on shoes while you’re wearing the same type of socks or stockings you expect to wear with the shoes.
11. If you wear prescription orthotics—biomechanical inserts prescribed by a podiatric physician—you should take them along to shoe fittings.

If you would like to be fitted for a custom pair, our Shoe Specialist will be more than happy to set up an appointment with you to assist you in ordering your specialized! You can call the office at 419-423-1888 to set up an appointment. Please be sure to explore both our clinic website and on-line store. We strive to provide you with the most up-to-date information and footcare products so that you can have the healthiest feet possible!

Choosing Shoes
by Frida Wolfe


New shoes, new shoes,
Red and pink and blue shoes.
Tell me, what would you choose,
If they'd let us buy?

Buckle shoes, bow shoes,
Pretty pointy-toe shoes,
Strappy, cappy low shoes;
Let's have some to try.

Bright shoes, white shoes,
Dandy-dance-by-night shoes,
Perhaps-a-little-tight shoes,
Like some? So would I.

BUT

Flat shoes, fat shoes,
Stump-along-like-that shoes,
Wipe-them-on-the-mat shoes,
That's the sort they'll buy.

You don't have to be disappointed by unattractive and bulky diabetic shoes! We have a wide assortment of stylish diabetic shoes that will certainly match your tastes!

If you would like to be fitted for a custom pair, our Shoe Specialist will be more than happy to set up an appointment with you to assist you in ordering your specialized! You can call the office at 419-423-1888 to set up an appointment. Please be sure to explore both our clinic website and on-line store. We strive to provide you with the most up-to-date information and footcare products so that you can have the healthiest feet possible!