Why Flat Shoes may not be Best Choice for your Feet

  Slim-heeled, lightweight slip-on shoes are coming back into style. They're popular because they're easy to wear, comfortable and flexible. Plus, celebrities often wear them, making them even more appealing. Here are some reasons why flat shoes should not be worn

• Lack of Stability: Footwear with flat soles as good as walking bare-feet lack the stability and support to maintain foot and ankle in alignment. This is likely to increase the risk of ankle sprains or other injuries, particularly during physical activities more so on uneven terrain.

• Lack of Arch Support: Many flat footwear lack adequate arch support, which lead to over pronation and strain on the plantar      fascia, the band of tissue that supports the arches. Over time, this can contribute to conditions like reduce/flatten arches, develop bunion, heel pain, bony spur, etc.

• Toe Box Construction: Some flat footwear have narrow toe boxes, which can compress the toes and lead to issues like bunions, claw toes, hammertoes, and ingrown toenails. A tight toe box restricts natural toe movement and can cause discomfort or deformities over time.

• Overpronation and excess supination: Flat footwear fail to control pronation at mid foot especially for those who have flat    or reduced arches and may worsen supination by causing increased outward rolling of the foot. Such erratic foot movement lead to altered gait and posture.

Orthotic insoles, preferably customized in prescribed shoes by podiatrist can help correct foot; ankle and lower limb alignment in turn improve gait and posture. This will lead to live life pain free and prevent future deformities. Remember “Foot is a foundation of your body” takes immense load through out the life span.