Do you experience heel pain? For many people, heel pain is related to plantar fasciitis. Other factors including heel spurs and injuries can result in heel pain, too. If you have heel pain, check out these tips on choosing the right shoes for heel pain.

One of the most important things that you can do to combat heel pain is to wear shoes that are comfortable and supportive. Many people experience foot pain simply because they are wearing shoes that are bad for their feet. One major culprit is high heels. Avoid wearing high heels as possible. If you must wear high heels, choose a pair that has a heel that is two inches or less, and choose a wider heel rather than a stiletto. A wider heel gives you more support and is usually more comfortable. Limit your wear time to no more than two hours a day.

Fit is a very important aspect of choosing the right footwear. Everyone should have their feet measured at least once a year to make sure that they are wearing the right size shoes. Most people continue to buy shoes in the same size that they have worn since they were in their late teens.

Our feet don’t stay the same size forever, though. They can increase by as much as a size or two as we get older and the ligaments in our feet relax. Pregnancy and weight gain can affect the size of the feet, as well. When you go shopping for new shoes, have both of your feet measured. (It’s not unusual for the feet to be two different sizes.) Be sure to check the width of your feet, too; you may need a wider shoe to give you a more comfortable fit.

Look for shoes that give you plenty of arch support. If you have high arches or flat feet, you may need more support than a standard shoe provides. In that case, you may want to consider wearing custom orthotic devices, or custom arch supports, which are created from a mould of your feet to give you a perfect fit.

Feet and Fitness

Protect your feet from heel pain by warming up and stretching before you exercise. Start your workouts slowly and increase over time. If you run, don’t increase your distance by more than 10% per week. If you have an injury, take some time off so that you can rest and heal. It can take as long as six to eight weeks for an injury to heal.