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Foot Care | Embracing Comfort & Mobility in Your Golden Years

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Introduction As we age, our feet undergo various changes that can affect our mobility and overall well-being. Seniors often encounter foot health challenges such as arthritis, decreased circulation, and balance issues, which can impact their quality of life. However, with proper foot care routines, appropriate footwear choices, and targeted exercises, seniors can maintain healthy and happy feet throughout their golden years. In this blog, we'll explore common foot health concerns among seniors and provide valuable tips to promote comfort, mobility, and independence. Foot Health Challenges Faced by Seniors: Arthritis: Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are common conditions that affect the joints in the feet, leading to pain, stiffness, and limited mobility. Decreased Circulation: Reduced blood flow to the extremities can result in cold feet, slow wound healing, and an increased risk of infections. Balance Issues: As we age, balance ...

Guide to Choosing the Right Footwear

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Introduction Finding the perfect pair of shoes can make a world of difference in your comfort, performance, and foot health. Whether you're a casual walker, a dedicated athlete, or someone with specific foot conditions, understanding the features to look for in footwear is crucial. In this comprehensive guide, we'll walk you through the process of selecting the right shoes for different activities and foot conditions. From arch support to appropriate sizing, let's dive into the world of footwear and take a step towards happy and healthy feet. Consider Your Foot Type Before you embark on the shoe-shopping journey, it's essential to determine your foot type. The three common foot arch types are low arches (flat feet), normal arches, and high arches. Understanding your foot arch will help you find the appropriate level of support and stability in your shoes. Arch Support If you have low arches or flat feet, look for shoes with adequate arch support t...

Essential Tips for Optimal Foot Care

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Introduction: Our feet are the unsung heroes of our bodies, tirelessly carrying us through life's adventures. Yet, they often receive the least attention and care. Neglecting foot health can lead to discomfort, pain, and even long-term issues. However, with some simple practices and a little TLC (tender loving care), you can ensure your feet stay healthy, happy, and ready for any journey that lies ahead. In this blog, we'll explore valuable tips and routines to help you take care of your feet. Maintain Proper Hygiene: Good foot hygiene is the foundation of foot care. Follow these basic hygiene practices to keep your feet fresh and clean: Wash your feet daily with mild soap and warm water, ensuring to clean between the toes. Thoroughly dry your feet, paying close attention to the areas between the toes, to prevent fungal infections. Trim your toenails straight across to avoid ingrown nails, and file the edges gently. Wear Com...

Benefits of Soaking Your Feet in Warm Water at Night

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Introduction: After a long, tiring day, there's nothing quite as soothing as a warm foot soak. Not only does it provide immediate relaxation, but it also offers numerous health benefits that contribute to your overall well-being. In this blog, we'll explore the incredible advantages of soaking your feet in warm water at night. From relieving stress to improving circulation, this simple practice can work wonders for your health. The Remarkable Health Benefits Relaxation and Stress Relief: Soaking your feet in warm water is a wonderful way to unwind and alleviate stress. As your feet contain numerous nerve endings, the warmth of the water helps to relax your muscles and release tension. The relaxation response triggered by this soothing activity can have a positive impact on your mental health, promoting a sense of calm and tranquility before bedtime. Enhanced Blood Circulation: When you immerse your feet in warm water, the blood vessels in yo...

The Challenge of Buying Shoes Online

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Introduction: With the rise of e-commerce, shopping for shoes has become more convenient than ever. Many shoe enthusiasts will agree that there's a unique challenge when it comes to buying shoes online. The inability to try them on or physically examine the product makes it difficult to ensure a perfect fit and meet your expectations. The emergence of online personal fitting specialists has revolutionized the way we shop for shoes online. In this blog, we'll explore how an online personal fitting specialist can assist you in choosing the right shoe for your needs, providing valuable guidance and expertise throughout the process. The Challenge of Buying Shoes Online Sizing Dilemmas: One of the most significant challenges when purchasing shoes online is determining the correct size. Unlike clothes, shoes don't have standardized measurements across brands, which means that a size 8 in one brand might fit differently in another. Inaccurate sizin...

Understanding Extra Depth Shoes

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When it comes to footwear, comfort and proper fit are paramount for maintaining healthy feet. For individuals with certain foot conditions, such as diabetes, arthritis, or swollen feet, finding the right pair of shoes can be a challenge. This is where extra depth shoes come into play. In this blog, we will explore what extra depth shoes are, their unique features, benefits, and various footwear options available for those in need of extra space and comfort. What are Extra Depth Shoes? Extra depth shoes, also known as therapeutic shoes, are specially designed footwear that offers more room in the toe box and overall depth compared to regular shoes. They provide additional space to accommodate foot conditions like bunions, hammertoes, edema, and various other foot deformities or medical conditions. Features of Extra Depth Shoes: Increased Toe Box Space: Extra depth shoes feature a wider and deeper toe box to provide ample room for toes to spread out natu...

The Myths of Shoe Widths & Sizes

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Getting the Perfect Fit - More than Size & Width You have probably experienced trying on several shoes that are the same size and they all fit differently. One of the most misunderstood measurements is the width of shoes. Although shoe manufacturers try to standardize sizes and widths, due to several components of a shoe there may be significant differences from one Brand to another or within the same Brand. One of the biggest advances in shoes over the last few years have been the introduction of multiple widths for each size. Since our feet come in different sizes & widths, the shoes needed to accommodate both of these factors. In order to have a comfortable fit, the manufacturers have found that the width of a shoe is as important as the length. Trying to put a wide foot into a medium shoe is like putting a square peg in a round hole - it simply doesn't fit. Some manufacturers now provide their shoes in the Standard Widths below: Standard Widths of Shoes...

How to Measure Your Feet

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Every Shoe & Foot are Shaped Differently Getting a proper measurement of your foot is essential to finding the Perfect Fitting Shoe. However, these measurements only provide a starting point since every shoe is designed differently. Shoes are made with various toe boxes; rounded, pointed, tapered, etc. You also have to take into account the room inside the shoe called the Volume or Depth. Then there's the material that is used including; Leather, Mesh, Lycra, etc. Finally, you have to take into consideration any foot ailments including; swelling, bunions, hammertoes, edema, etc. It can be a daunting task to order shoes online and determine the proper fitting shoe for Your feet. Looking at a picture only shows you the Style but it doesn't address all of the other factors. How ICS Personal Fitting Specialists Can Help Once you have the measurements the next step is to consult with an expert. ICS Personal Fitting Specialists have helped fit h...

Understanding Heel and Foot Pain

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Our feet are the foundation of our body, supporting us through every step of our lives. Unfortunately, problems can develop in the foot and ankle due to various factors such as poor footwear, stress, or natural changes that occur as we age. These issues often lead to not only localized foot pain but can also have a significant impact on the knees, hips, and lower back. Among the numerous foot problems that individuals may encounter, heel pain is one of the most common and debilitating. In this blog post, we will explore the causes of heel pain, its effects on our overall well-being, and available treatments to alleviate discomfort and promote recovery. Causes of Heel Pain Plantar Fasciitis: The leading cause of heel pain, plantar fasciitis, occurs when the plantar fascia, a thick band of tissue connecting the heel bone to the toes, becomes inflamed. This condition is often associated with heel spur syndrome, where a bony spur develops on the heel bone. Stress Fractures:...

The Best Shoes for Bunions & Hammertoes

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Most Common Foot Issues There are many foot conditions that may cause someone to shop for orthopedic shoes. The most common issues the people contact our Personal Fitting Specialists are: Bunions, Hammertoes, Swelling, and Extra Width feet. Two of the most common issues that cause foot pain are bunions and hammertoes. Both of these issues affect the forefront of the foot. While each of these problems has its own characteristics, both require certain shoe profiles to find some relief and comfort. Bunions Bunions are one of the most common foot problems causing severe pain. A bunion is a pronounced bump on the side of the foot, most frequently on the big toe joint. The protrusion is caused by a bone protruding toward the inside of the foot. Bunions can also form on the outside of the foot, at the joint of the smallest toe. Bunions are more common in women than in men, generally due to the tight, narrow dress shoes that women tend to wear. By wearin...

Lacing Your Shoes for the Perfect Fit

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Are you tired of uncomfortable shoes that either feel too tight or leave your feet slipping around? You might be surprised to learn that the way you lace your shoes can significantly impact their fit and comfort. In this blog, we'll explore various lacing techniques to help you find the perfect fit for your unique feet, so you can stride with confidence and ease. Straight (Bar) Lacing: Straight lacing, also known as bar lacing, provides an even and comfortable fit, making it ideal for dress shoes or casual footwear. Here's how to do it : Start by running the lace straight across the bottom eyelets, with the ends emerging from the inside. Take one end of the lace and thread it through the next eyelet on the opposite side, going from the outside in. With the other end of the lace, skip an eyelet and thread it through the next one up, again from the outside in. Continue this pattern until you reach the top of the shoe, with each end alternating betwe...

How to Eliminate Foot Pain

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How to Relieve Foot Pain I'm a tennis player and on a mission to find the perfect fitting tennis shoes online. When I try on the shoes it only takes a few minutes to determine if they fit properly. If they hurt my feet right out of the box, I know they are not the right ones. Shoes today don't need a lengthy break in period for them to finally feel good. If shoes are tight, pinch your feet, hurt anywhere, you can be assured this pain will not cease by wearing them for several days. In fact, by wearing the wrong shoes, you can make the pain much worse and ultimately hurt your feet. I recently received a pair of tennis shoes with leather uppers and they pinched the top of my feet, just a little. I changed the lacing to address the area they were hurting, then went out and played tennis. When I came back my feet were so sore I could barely walk. I didn't take my own advice and knew for sure these were not the right tennis shoes. Since I wore them outside and play...

How to Read the Soles of Your Shoes

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Your shoes take a lot of abuse over their lifetime. You’ll walk an average of 5000 steps per day in your shoes, and when you consider the amount of force that’s exerted with each stop, it’s no wonder that shoes wear out over time. When your shoes begin to show signs that it’s time to replace them, take a look at where the most wear and tear happens on the sole of your shoe, as well as the sides and top. The way your shoe is wearing out can tell you a lot about the type of shoe you should be buying. Outer Side Of The Shoe Worn Out If you observe that your shoe is getting excessively worn out at the outer edge, more than it’s worn out in the other areas, it is probably because you have a supinated foot. Those who have a high foot arch tend to supinate. A normal walking pattern begins with the heel striking the ground, then the midfoot makes contact with the arch, which flattens to absorb shock, and finally the forefoot propels the body forward. Those who have su...