http://articles.familyshoesplus.com/rss.xml A blog about familyshoesplus.com daily 365 1901-01-01T00:00+00:00 http://articles.familyshoesplus.com/?a=35932 <p>by Gregg Hall</p><p>No one really knows why shoe infatuation is associated with the female gender. It's not like we make that much of a fuss over men and their Nike Jordans, so why pick on women and their shoes? For some, there is just something about slipping into a nice 4 inch strappy heel for a night on the town. Ironically, the shoes that women love so much are actually putting a toll on their feet, as well as the rest of their body. <br /><br />What is the culprit? Foot doctors and surgeons have been alerting the public for years now about the harm that shoes with high heels can cause. The worst of the bunch are the ones that present narrow toes. These can lead to health problems without a woman even knowing the damage they have done to themselves. Some cases even result in deformities of the foot that just will not go away. There is even evidence that suggests that high heels also cause arthritis of the knee, as well as other joint disorders. Who would have ever thought that a shoe could bring down your health? <br /><br />This has led to the efforts of numerous foot experts, who wish to bring better healthcare measures to women who simply cannot part with their shoes. Several orthopedic foot and ankle specialists have gotten together to approve a variety of products that will help in foot care. They will also assess which shoe selections are reasonable for the maintenance of knees, ankles and feet. <br /><br />High heeled shoes have been the leading cause bringing women to visit orthopedic doctors, who seem to be seen by these type of doctors four times more than their male counterparts. The constant wearing of shoes with high heels or narrow toes have led to a high incidence in corrective foot operations. This is what happens when women choose fashionable footwear over health and many of them aren't even aware that they are doing it. <br /><br />The results of repeated narrow or high heeled shoe wear of today's latest fashion trends have been compared to the Chinese practice of foot binding. Although women who endured this practice showed signs of joint problems, they never sustained any bone deformities. It is usually the front of the foot that reveals common foot problems. Years of wearing improper footwear lead to bunions or other infractions of the toe. These signs often surface in middle aged women. These problems are caused by increased foot compression and pressure when wearing narrow shoes or high heels. <br /><br />To avoid these foot problems, women don't need to discard their love of shoes, but instead make wiser choices when it comes to footwear. That means settling for a shoe that is light and comfortable and doesn't have a tight area for the toes. Also, women must stray from tempting selections with a high heel. In the long run, your feet will thank you for your efforts.</p><h3 class="popup">About the Author </h3><p>Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Florida. Find more about this as well as family shoes at <a href="http://www.familyshoesplus.com/">http://www.familyshoesplus.com</a></p> 2006-09-30T14:37-04:00 http://articles.familyshoesplus.com/?a=35931 <p>by Gregg Hall</p><p>Did you know that one of the oldest examples of footwear in the world is the sandal? Not only is it a common fashion statement for today, but it also flourished as foot protection throughout ancient times. Even the kings of Egypt wore sandals on their feet, alongside the people that they ruled. Sandals are not to be thrown on the foot like a slipper; there are certain ways to secure a proper fit. Since the toes are exposed with this type of footwear, this makes it somewhat difficult for some when it comes to choosing the right size and fit. <br /><br />There are many different kinds of sandals on the market, offering a wide range of colors, styles and comfort. While some sandals are created to accompany colorful beachwear, there are other kinds that can be worn, such as with the sultriest of dresses. Other types of sandals are fashioned for adventurous individuals tackling hiking trails and other sports. In all these instances, you should find a pair that is comfortable, meaning taking care of your feet should come before fashion. <br /><br />The best sandal for you is one that offers adequate support. Comfort and maintaining foot care are the most important factors to keep in mind. Take special care to the arch of your foot because this is the body part that helps to keep your posture, as well as allows you to properly walk. Try to purchase sandals that offer good arch support for your foot. You will find that some selections offer built in support while others, such as brands made from cork, will conform to your foot the more you wear them. <br /><br />The sole of your sandal should be one that is a little bit bigger than your own foot. You know you have chosen right when your toes do not fall over the edge of your sandal. Beware of sandals with hard soles because they may cause pain in the long run. Sandal soles should also be thick. After all, this is the only thing keeping you from touching the ground. Thick soles provide much needed protection. <br /><br />When purchasing a sandal, you should go for the ones that have straps that fit securely onto your foot. This is what keeps the sole from staying against your foot. Adjustable straps are a convenient feature to have on a pair of sandals, rather than an elastic strap that may stretch out over time. Choosing the right sandal for your foot is as easy as picking out thick soles, adjustable straps, good arch support and above all else, a comfortable selection. After all of that is squared away, you can focus on the fashion forward statement you'd like to make with your footwear.</p><h3 class="popup">About the Author </h3><p>Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Florida. Find more about this as well as family shoes at <a href="http://www.familyshoesplus.com/">http://www.familyshoesplus.com</a></p> 2006-09-30T14:34-04:00 http://articles.familyshoesplus.com/?a=35089 <p>by Gregg Hall</p><p>Children can be very hard on shoes and they tend to wear them out much more quickly than the rest of the population. As a parent it is our duty to constantly monitor our children's shoes and inspect them for uneven wear, stressed seams, holes in the soles, etc.<br /><br />One sure sign that the child's shoes do not fit properly is bulging out from the sides and toes curving upwards. If you discover worn out toes or heels then you know you definitely need to buy new shoes.<br /><br />We have assembled some tips to help you when shopping for shoes for your child; hopefully this will help you with your mission.<br /><br />The first thing you need to do is always shop for shoes in the afternoon or evening because feet swell during the day and the shoes will fit differently in the afternoon than in the morning.<br /><br />Always have your children's feet measured each time you buy shoes. The child's feet should be measured while standing and you should always have both feet measured since one foot will usually be larger than the other. Always buy shoes to accommodate the larger foot.<br /><br />When fitting the shoe to your child leave approximately a half inch of clearance between the end of the shoe and the edge of your child's toes. At the same time do not buy shoes that are more than one size too large for your child. Buying shoes that are too big can cause your child's foot to slip within the shoe and make them trip. Also, be sure that the heel of the shoe rests comfortably around the back of the foot while at the same time, not too tight.<br /><br />The shoes you are buying for the child should feel good and fit properly now. Don't buy the shoes with the thought that they will feel better once they get broken in.<br /><br />You should buy shoes for children that have laces so that they can be adjusted and tightened properly. Also, buy children's shoes from breathable materials such as canvas to help alleviate odor and promote comfort.<br /><br />You should buy shoes for children with flat bottoms and sturdy, flexible soles with a patterned grip to prevent slipping.<br /><br />By following the guidelines above you will have a much more enjoyable experience shopping for your child.</p><h3 class="popup">About the Author </h3><p>Gregg Hall is a business consultant and author for many online and offline businesses and lives in Navarre Florida with his 16 year old son. Get a great selection of <a href="http://www.familyshoesplus.com/">children's shoes</a> at http://www.familyshoesplus.com</p> 2006-07-16T17:49-04:00