Shoes: footwear designed for your wellbeing by office coordinator Amanda at SPD

With my family’s upcoming annual trip just around the corner, I always find myself looking for new shoes, so we aren’t coming home with aching bodies. Below is an article from “Got sneakers” on the benefits of shoes and why it’s essential to invest in a good pair of shoes.

When you can walk into any store and pick from among hundreds of different colors, sizes, and styles of shoes, it’s easy to take proper footwear for granted. However, this is not the case for many people living in impoverished regions like the Caribbean, West Africa, and Central America. Over 600 million people worldwide don’t own a single pair of shoes.

It is very unfortunate because the importance and benefits of shoes can’t be overlooked. Having protective footwear with the correct fit is essential for overall health and comfort.

1. Shoes Prevent Foot Problems

Going without shoes for too long or wearing ill-fitting shoes can cause:

- Corns

- Ingrown toenails

- Fungal nail infections

- Athletes foot

Over time, more serious problems can develop. Bunions can form, resulting in pain and disfigurement of the feet. A prolonged lack of proper footwear support can cause arches to collapse and can cause severe joint pain.

2. Shoes Alleviate Pain

Part of the job of shoes is to absorb impact as we walk, but bad shoes (or no shoes) can throw the whole body out of alignment. If shoes don’t have enough padding or don’t allow for an even stride, pain is an almost inevitable side effect.

The ankles, knees, hip joints and lower back are all affected by the wrong shoes. Widespread pain limits mobility, making it difficult to perform normal daily tasks.

3. Shoes Protect Against Infections

In many areas of the world, sanitation is weak, and disease is widespread. Going without shoes in areas without proper disposal methods for animal and human waste makes people more susceptible to parasitic worms and other foot infections. These diseases can be debilitating or even lethal.

Going barefoot puts humans at risk for hookworm, tick bites, and injuries. Stepping on broken glass or rusty nails, having a nasty encounter with a prickly bush or winding up with an itchy rash from poison ivy are also concerns.

Often shoes can be pricey, but in reality, it’s a small investment that can make a huge difference in your overall wellness.

This blog is brought to you as a wellness point by Amanda, our office coordinator at the South Lincoln Dental Office - Southpointe Dental

Learn more about living a healthier lifestyle:

https://nebraskafamilydentistry.com