The Tribune

By Bernadette Gibson Baby boomers might be surprised to learn that many of their generation are wearing the wrong size shoes. Overtime, feet can widen or flatten, and fat padding on the sole of the feet can wear down. Weight gain or loss, activity and lifestyle changes, and foot problems can also contribute to changes in shoe fit. It is important to be fitted by a professional occasionally, rather than simply choosing the sizes you have worn in the past. Stress on the feet can lead to many major health problems. There are many things that contribute to feet widening and flattening such as wearing flip flops. Most flip flops are awful for your feet as they lack the support necessary to control and support the foot. However, you can very well wear a flip flop designed to give the appropriate support for your arch type (high, medium or low), and having a 'heel cup to stop the heel from spreading and at the same time adequately supporting the ankle. A supportive flip flop combined with a properly designed 'foot bed' will put your foot in its natural position for walking and standing. By putting your foot in balance, the alignment of other joints will be improved. Properly aligned joints means less stress and strain and pain. As the feet widen or flatten, due to improper footwear or weight gain, they are often squeezed into the same sized shoes. This is extremely dangerous as it can interfere with your blood circulation and can pose a major health problem such as a stroke. In today's business world, while it is important for you to look your very best by complementing that perfect outfit with a cute pair of high heel shoes or for the men trendy looking shoes, it is absolutely necessary to note that these magnificent creations often lead to foot pain at the end of the day. While I understand that certain occasions require you to wear shoes with less support, I would recommend that you follow these simple tips to get away with looking your best while feeling great: Try to choose shoes with a reasonable heel height of 1.5 to 2 inches. Look for shoes that provide ample toe room (beware of pointed toe styles) and contain a back strap or enclosed back. The same holds true for men with the exception of heel height. If you are having trouble achieving the appropriate fit with shoes you already own, take them to a local specialty footwear store or Pedorthic facility and they can modify your shoes to fit your feet. Purchase a slim arch support that your shoe can accommodate. Specialty footwear stores and Pedorthic facilities have options that will fit almost any shoe. In conclusion, it is important to note that as the body changes in size so do the feet. We often fail to recognize this fact, even though we are wearing larger sizes in dresses and slacks. Believe it or not, your feet have changed in size and shape in some cases due to the stress of ill fitting, tight, and too small shoes over the years. However, kudos goes to the few who always did and continue to pay attention to their feet in wearing properly fitted footwear. Bernadette D. Gibson, a Board Certified and Licensed Pedorthist, is the proprietor of Foot Solutions, a health and wellness franchise that focuses on foot care and proper shoe fit. Please direct any questions or comments to nassau@footsolutions.com.