Tired, sore or aching feet

Many people will suffer from tired, sore, or aching feet at some point during their life. The causes can be prolonged standing, walking or running, overly tight shoes, or the effects of getting older.

Too much walking or exertion is something that resting will resolve, however if the cause is the result of wearing fashion shoes or simply getting older, the solution may require the use of orthopedic shoes.

Causes and contributing factors

Age is a major cause of foot problems and there are a number of reasons for this. The feet age just like every other part of the body, and the result of this aging is a thinning of the fatty pads on the soles of the feet. Add to this the fact that feet become flatter and wider as we get older and it becomes obvious that the value of good shoes increases in line with age.

Other aging factors include drier skin and this can affect the feet and how they perform. It also makes them become more vulnerable to foot problems.

All of the above are simply part of the natural aging process, however some additional medical problems can also cause the feet to ache. These problems can include arthritis and poor circulation.

A major contributing factor to foot pains and aches is the wearing of cheap, badly designed and poor foot supporting shoes. This type of shoe is most commonly worn by women and falls into the fashion shoe category. Shoes of this type are bought because of their appearance and they are often poorly crafted and they squeeze the feet into unsuitably small and uncomfortable spaces. Aches and discomfort resulting from wearing this type of shoe are quickly relieved when the shoes are removed, however over the long term they will have a detrimental affect on the feet. This damage may only become evident in later years when the problems associated with older feet become exacerbated.

Another cause of foot problems is weight. The feet, the foundations of the body, are designed to carry a healthy normal sized person and this means that being overweight places an additional stress on the feet. Aside from causing the feet to flatten and widen, this can also result in fallen arches, a very uncomfortable foot problem.

Solutions to foot ache

For serious foot discomfort it is advisable to see a doctor or chiropodist as there may be an underlying problem that needs diagnosing. However in most cases the problem can be helped and, in many instances, removed by wearing better footwear.

The type of footwear that should be worn is a pair of shoes that fit correctly, offer suitable support and remain comfortable when worn for long periods of time. Shoes of this type may be known as orthopedic shoes, comfort shoes, or easy fit shoes, but what all of these terms mean is that the shoe in question has been manufactured with foot health as its primary goal.

To find out more about orthopedic shoes you can use the following links which will give you an introduction to, the anatomy of a shoe (i.e. the components of a good shoe), the properties of orthopedic shoes, orthotic shoe inserts (these can be fitted into shoes to assist with or support a foot problem), and finding your correct shoe sizes.

Please use the main index (left) for further information about orthopedic shoes.