People have a tendency to choose their shoes based on appearance and their outfits, rather than on the amount of support they provide. They may not realize that their shoes could be what’s causing their back or foot problems. Wearing the right comfort shoes in Rochester Hills, MI with the right arch support can make a huge difference in how you feel all over, not just your feet. Read on to learn about how important arch support really is to your overall health.
All about arches
Our arches are one of the most important structural features in our feet and absorb the brunt of the stress of walking, which can be about 200,000 to 300,000 pounds of stress every mile we walk. Arch height, type and shape vary greatly from person to person, so it’s important to find the right comfort shoes in Rochester Hills, MI that offer personalized arch support to avoid a variety of chronic pain and musculoskeletal problems as you age.
The height of arches varies immensely, with many people having “flat feet,” or little to no arch. There are also people who have very high arches. You can tell how your arch lies on the scale of what’s typical by watching your bare footprints. The higher the arch, the skinnier the middle strip is from the heel to the ball of your foot. The shape of your arch can change over time, as is commonly seen in pregnant women, whose feet may flatten some with the extra pressure on their feet. It’s especially important for pregnant women to choose the right comfort shoes in Rochester Hills, MI to avoid additional back problems. Those with rheumatoid arthritis may also have a flattening in the arch, and they may benefit from additional arch support.
Finding proper arch support
Both low and high arches can benefit from properly fitting comfort shoes in Rochester Hills, MI that supply the appropriate arch support. Properly fitting your shoes to your arches can prevent many problems that result from ill-fitting footwear or pronation, which is caused by excessively low or high arches. Overpronation results when people with low arches tend to rotate their feet too far inward when walking forward. Overpronation forces the knee and hip out of alignment, which puts additional pressure through the knee, shin, thigh, pelvis and back. This can lead to ankle injuries, inflammation, bunions, heel pain, misalignments of the hip and low back and other injuries. People with low arches should look for shoes that are designated for “motion control,” which give additional stability to the inside of the foot where the arch collapses.
People with high arches, meanwhile, may experience underpronation, which is the tendency to roll each foot too far outward with each step. People with high arches should look for shoes that are designated as “cushioning,” which have a curved shape that encourages the foot to roll inward. Orthotic inserts can be custom made for your arches, whether you have excessively high or low arches.
Haig Shoes is the premier footwear destination in the area, supplying top-quality comfort shoes in Rochester Hills, MI with arch support no matter what your arch shape may be. Stop by today and see how we can help you with your unique arch support needs!