Learn why purchasing better quality footwear can offer your feet and body the support they need to keep you healthier for longer. Proper body alignment can benefit your overall health substantially and we can help you figure out if your footwear is contributing to poor spinal health. Having spoken to a lot of clients about their struggles with both back and foot pain, I thought it was only right to address the importance of good quality footwear for proper healthy body alignment. Our free guides on specific foot conditions available here may also be of benefit to you if you already know the cause of your discomfort. The fact is, not only does a Goodyear welted Percy Stride men’s Oxford shoe eradicate the throwaway culture within the footwear industry, but they can also play a pivotal role in helping you live a healthier life too. Here’s how.
The consequences of choosing the wrong footwear
According to Dr Elijah Davis, a podiatrist with Mosaic Life Care: “People don’t realise that your feet are your foundation. If your feet are out of alignment, your body has to compensate. Your ankle has to tweak a little. Your knee has to tweak, your hips, your back”. “When you are active, these little misalignments will lead to issues later on.” The reality is, your feet support your skeleton, helping you to move and balance. If you don’t ensure your footwear is right, you could end up damaging a key component that could impact the way you live your life on a daily basis. Is this something you’re willing to risk? Shoes that are good for your feet and back are hard to come by and custom shoes and insoles can be costly, but your first step in the direction for better posture is better-constructed footwear. To put this into context, here are a few examples of how certain shoes can affect you. Point shoes – while smart men’s shoes with a pointy finish may make your feet appear smaller, they can actually cause you a lot of problems further down the line – including toe pain, bunions, and hammertoes. Shoes with heels – as more men wear boots with heels, what a majority of them don’t realise is that it causes your lower back to move forward. As a result, this throws your hips and spine out of alignment, creating added pressure on the knees and the balls of the feet. Trainers – while making athletic trainers lighter may seem positive, the lack of support can lead to arch pain, heel pain, and pain through the mid-foot after walking or exercising.
How to find a pair of quality shoes good for your feet and back:
The qualities of a good pair of men’s shoes include:
Minimal or no give in the outer heel counter
The heel should be rigid and stable when you are walking or running
The sole shouldn’t bend easily at the back of the shoe
A firm sole to the ball of the foot
An ability to feel the arch of the shoe with your foot
You should be able to push off from the big toe while walking or running
The outside heel shouldn’t have any give
The heel height (if applicable) should be symmetrical and not worn away
If you want to find the true size of your feet, you should measure them at the end of the day when they are at their largest. Feet tend to swell over the period of the day which is why shoes that fit the first thing in the morning, after a few hours tend to blister and hurt. We also release a huge amount of water out of our feet every day, so it's always important to keep the insides of your shoes fresh and clean for overall hygiene.
You should always leave a little bit of space between your big toe and the end of the shoe as well.
The main thing to remember is that with quality footwear, like Percy Stride’s men’s Oxford shoes, you’ll be able to feel the arch support contacting your foot as you step through and push off your big toe. By keeping your feet securely in place and having that structure throughout your day your body is less likely to misalign and more likely to keep your posture.
If you feel like your shoes are deteriorating, always try consulting your local cobbler before throwing them away, as they might be able to repair the sole for a minimal cost.
If you suffer from a foot condition that affects footwear selection please see our FREE foot care guides available here. We have looked at conditions such as wide/narrow feet as well as diabetes, arthritis, and plantar fasciitis; what shoes and services are available for your needs, and how to manage your condition.
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If you are interested in our foot health and body alignment informational blogs check out: Fixing Flat Feet - How to make dress shoes more comfortable.