The holiday season is here, which means that we, at HealthyFeetStore.com, are doing our best to provide plenty of sales, deals, and promotions.  But besides all the discounts, we’ve listed 7 other reasons why shopping at HealthyFeetStore.com should be your number one online destination for healthy shoes and footcare products this holiday season.

1. We have a special Christmas Return policy from Nov 1^st through Jan 31^st 2011, which means that customers who place orders between November 1^st and Christmas Eve have until January 31^st to make a return or an exchange.

 

2. We offer free exchanges on shoes.  For example: if you buy a pair of shoes that fit too small and you want to exchange them for a different size, you will not be charged for the exchange or shipment of the item.  For more information, visit our Exchange Information page.

 

3. We do not charge customers a restock fee like other online retailers do. Unfortunately, certain online retailers charge customers an extra fee just to restock their returns or exchanges – HealthyFeetStore.com does not.

 

4. If you contact our customer service department with a phone call or an email, you’ll get a response by an actual human being. HealthyFeetStore.com does not use computer automated services; however, you might have to leave a message on our voicemail during high call volume days; but don’t worry, because 95% of those calls are returned that same day.

 

5. All of our shoes and footcare products are podiatrist approved and recommended. HealthyFeetStore.com was originated by Dr. Jeffrey Hurless, a board certified podiatrist and foot/ankle surgeon – with his help and our highly trained shoe experts, each product is carefully reviewed and selected. We even have a pedorthist on site that can not only assist you with sizing issues, but also help you select footwear and footcare products to minimize or prevent foot pain.

 

6. We offer a vast array of shoe sizes, widths, and depths that can be hard to find at other stores. We carry narrow widths as small as AA and wide widths as large as 14E. We offer extra depth shoes with removable inserts that can be replaced with orthotics. We have shoes for diabetics and stretchable shoes for those with edema; and if you need post-operative footwear, we even have a great selection of wound care shoes.

 

7. Our products can easily be categorized as practical gifts since we work with some of the leading brands in the market: New Balance, Brooks, Drew, Naot, Orthaheel, Alegria, p.w. minor, Spenco, and Darco – just to name a few.  Plus, a lot of the brands we carry have products that have been accepted and approved by the APMA (American Podiatric Medical Association).

Every 17 seconds, someone is diagnosed with diabetes. 13 million men and 12.6 million women in the United States are diabetic and the rate is climbing. Take time this November during American Diabetes Month to learn strategies that you can adopt to help fight diabetes. While there is no cure for diabetes, the disease can be prevented, treated, and controlled. Join the American Diabetes Association by raising a hand to stop diabetes this November.

American Diabetes Association:

The American Diabetes Association strives to prevent and cure diabetes, as well as to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. The Association funds research, spreads information on health and wellness, and helps connect diabetics to sources of support within their communities. During the month of November, the ADA raises awareness with Stop Diabetes, a movement aimed to help build the momentum needed to put an end to diabetes once and for all. Learn more at stopdiabetes.com.

Diabetic Nutrition

Nutrition is an important part of maintaining health and wellness. Fortunately, diabetics may enjoy a wide variety of foods, and may follow the same dietary recommendations as the general population. Keeping track of glucose levels is extremely important for managing diabetes; however it doesn’t mean avoiding sugar at all costs, cutting out carbohydrates completely, or bidding your favorite food joints farewell. By managing what you eat, when you eat, and how much you eat, diabetics can keep their weight down while providing their bodies with delicious foods for fuel. See HelpGuide.org for Diabetes Diet and Foot Tips or visit Stop Diabetes.com for healthy recipes and meal planning.

Exercising with diabetes

Exercise can help control type 2 diabetes by improving blood circulation, lowering blood pressure, improving the body’s use of insulin, and lowering excess body fat. Take the time to be active; try adding steps to your day, swimming, or biking. See the Mayo Clinic Website for information on monitoring your blood sugar while you exercise, and use the Diabetes Exercise and Sports Association website as a resource for tips on living an active, healthy lifestyle. The Mayo Clinic: Living with diabetes blog also provides helpful posts such as “Diabetes and College” and “Could switching to a vegetarian diet cure my diabetes?”

Diabetic Shoes

Comfortable shoes can help encourage a healthy, active lifestyle. Diabetic shoes are designed to protect diabetic feet from injury and HealthyFeetStore.com makes it a priority to carry shoes that fit a diabetic’s lifestyle needs as well. Medicare A5500 coded diabetic shoes are made in a variety of styles; work shoes, dress shoes, walking shoes, and casual shoes. Special features are added to diabetic shoes to keep feet protected and supported; such as breathable leather and suede uppers, and superior ankle, arch, and heel support, and extra depth to accommodate custom orthotics. And footwear brands such as Aetrex, PW Minor, Drew, and Pedors offer the healthy features you need without skipping on style. Invest in your foot health with a pair of diabetic shoes, and get active.

Womens Shoes

p.w. minor Leisure II CS- Women’s Orthopedic Shoe

Drew Rose Women’s Shoe

p.w. minor Tia- Women’s Mary Jane Shoe

New Balance 846- Women’s Walking Shoe

Mens Shoes

Drew Men’s Shoe, Traveler

Sebago Clovehitch II- Men’s Boat Shoe

Dunham Burlington- Men’s Dress Shoe

Comfortrite Men’s Therapeutic Walking Shoe, Lucas

Socktober is finally here!  We have combined the month of October with our sock inventory to offer a grand promotion where you’ll save a lot of money on healthy socks.

Our 3rd annual Socktober Sale offers up to 50% off socks.  Our inventory includes wide and extra wide socks for big feet, diabetic socks for those with sensitive feet, kids’ socks to keep little feet warm and Aetrex athletic socks with copper sole technology.

Save big this year to keep your feet healthy, warm, and comfortable by taking advantage of our awesome Socktober Sale!

Please note: Cannot be combined with other offers or applied to previous purchases.  Excludes mixed-matched shoes and sales marked as final.

Diabetics, are you aware that New Balance has a vast array of styles that are SADMERC/PDAC approved and A5500 coded as diabetic footwear?  If not, then today is your lucky day because as you read on you’ll discover that New Balance has combined their technical features with their sporty upper designs, making their diabetic walking shoes comfortable, functional and more stylish than many diabetic shoes on the market.  Unfortunately, diabetic shoes aren’t the most fashionable since their designs tend to focus more on features rather than on looks.  But let’s not forget, diabetic shoes should be made with features to improve diabetic foot health – it’s not all about style; but it is nice when brands, like New Balance, offer diabetics trendier options to choose from, and options with technically advanced shoe features.

Please note: HealthyFeetStore.com provides the A5500 code on their product pages as assurance that you are receiving the same quality shoe as your doctor dispensed.  HealthyFeetStore.com is unable to bill your insurance.

Most New Balance diabetic shoes have these notable features:

• Uppers made with leather or synthetic materials that are breathable to help keep moisture at bay, minimizing chances of experiencing fungal infections.

• Hook and loop straps for adjustability and easy on/off.

• LIGHTNING DRY® liner also keeps feet dry.

• Wide toe box design for wiggling toes – also helps accommodate swollen feet.

• Padded collar improves comfort around the ankle.

• Removable insole can be replaced with diabetic insoles, custom orthotics or arch supports.

• ABZORB® in the forefoot provides shock absorption against impact, while ABZORB® SBS provides 5 – 10% more cushioning at the heel than regular ABZORB®.

• Polyurethane cushioned midsole for soft, comfortable steps.

• TPU Walking Strike Path® technology helps stabilize and guide the foot through a more natural gait cycle.

• ROLLBAR® consists of a TPU lateral/medial post design for exceptional motion control to reduce excessive pronation and supination.

• Durable rubber outsole for longer wear.

• Wide sizes up to men’s 16 6E (XX-Wide) or women’s 13 4E (XX-Wide).

Some New Balance Diabetic Walking Shoes to Consider:

Merchant note: The New Balance 811 has been replaced with the 812.  It has a sleeker design with the same functionality of the 811.  The New Balance 812 also comes with a premium foam insert that can be replaced with custom orthotics or diabetic insoles.

For more options: Aravon and Dunham are New Balance brands that also carry stylish diabetic shoes with the same technical features.

The Propet Cronus is one comfortable orthopedic shoe.  Its design incorporates various features to maximize comfort and adjustability.  As one of HealthyFeetStore.com’s most adjustable shoes, the Propet Cronus can easily accommodate various foot conditions such as swollen feet (edema), hammertoes, and bunions.  Unfortunately, many shoes do not allow room for such conditions; but not the Cronus, because the upper material is made out of stretchable, neoprene material.

What separates the Cronus from other shoes in the market is its unique closure design that consists of two adjustable hook and loop straps located in key areas of the upper.  One strap adjusts at the heel while the other strap adjusts over the instep and has a unique wide design – both straps allow for easy on/off and enough room for the most challenging fit, even for those who may have bandages or dressings on one foot.  The Propet Cronus is also A5500 Medicare coded as diabetic footwear, has a removable insole to accommodate diabetic insoles, custom orthotics or cushioning gel inserts, and is extremely lightweight, making it one step better than a woundcare shoe.

Overall, if you need a comfortable orthopedic shoe that’s completely adjustable and stretchable, the Propet Cronus is the right fit for you.  The Propet Cronus is available in men’s and women’s sizes and wide widths.

Reflexology practice can be traced back to ancient times, as far back as 40 B.C. in China. Maps and drawings of pressure points on feet have been preserved by many cultures throughout history. It is believed that foot pain is your body’s way of  sending you a message; that there is a system in your body off balance and in need of repair.

Also known as zone therapy, reflexology is now used as an alternative medicine for treating and healing insomnia, headaches, asthma, backache, heavy legs, stress, and anxiety, as well as other conditions. It is both a preventative and restorative practice, creating a physiological change in the body by improving circulation.

The theory of reflexology goes like this:

Think of your feet as a map, every one of our organs is connected by a meridian to a reflex zone on our feet. Six of these meridians go across our feet and link the interior of our body to the exterior. By observing these reflexes, we are able to provide relief or even heal certain types of pains and injuries. For example, the tips of the toes reflex the head, and the ball of the foot reflex the heart and chest.

Here’s how it works:

The masseur applies pressure to the feet, hands, or ears with specific thumb, finger, and hand techniques, addressing points that correspond with the system of the body that needs healing. Pain, tenderness, and numbness in the foot indicates what system of the body may have become imbalanced.

Reflexology can be used to treat foot pain caused by improper footwear, stubbed toes, decreased circulation, swollen feet, or to help recover from foot surgery. Diabetics may also benefit from reflexology to help improve circulation.

Reflexology is recommended as a complementary therapy and should not replace medical treatment, but who can resist a good foot rub?

An Italian, a German and a Frenchman went hiking. The Italian says “I am tired and thirsty, I must have a glass of Chianti”. The German says “I am tired and thirsty, I must have a glass of beer”. The Frenchman says “I am tired and thirsty, I must have diabetes.”

All jokes aside, diabetes causes serious foot pain, loss of feeling, and foot problems that may lead to foot ulcers or an amputation. Diabetics should practice good foot health care on a daily basis; catching foot problems early, and taking preventative measures can prevent or delay the onset of detrimental outcomes.

There are a few habits to avoid, and general guidelines to follow that may help keep feet healthy and pain-free. By forming healthy habits most people can prevent any serious foot problems from occuring, and with quality brands like Aetrex, Drew, New Balance, and Propet, you won’t be limited in shoe styles.

Every day:
-Wear new socks, everyday.
-Inspect feet for cuts, calluses, corns, burns, and any other noticable changes.
-Keep feet dry.
-Shake out your shoes and use your hand to feel the inside before putting them on.
-Inspect your shoes (and wear diabetic shoes) before you slip them on.
-Always wear socks to bed, especially if it’s cold out.

Often:
-Cut toenails carefully. Try soaking your feet in lukewarm water before you cut your toenails. Always cut the nail straight across.
-Always pick up items off the floor and move anything you might trip over or bump your feet on.
-Regular exercise improves bone and joint health in feet and legs, as well as improves leg circulation.

What to Avoid:
-The wrong type of socks. Do not wear socks with tight elastic bands, thick socks, or bulky socks. Bad socks can interfer with proper circulation and irritate the skin.
-Walking barefoot is not an option, but comfortable house shoes or slippers are.
-Do not treat corns or calluses yourself, pay a visit to your doctor.
-No smoking. Avoid any habit that restricts blood flow to your feet.
-Be careful of getting your feet wet during the snow and rainy seasons.
-Dot not apply heating pads or hot water bottles to feet.

Look for the APMA seal for approved diabetic shoes and shop Healthyfeetstore.com‘s Diabetic Shoes and Footcare pages

Wound care shoes play an important role in the treatment and prevention of diabetic foot ulcers and lesions of the foot.  There are various types of wound care shoes available but they all pretty much do the same thing: they off-load pressure or redistribute weight away from areas of the foot that have wounds, ulcers or lesions. By off-loading pressure, patients can effectively treat their wounds, and at the same be more mobile. Preparing an off-load wound care shoe is typically done by a foot health professional, who will assist the patient by either removing or cutting out areas of the insoles where pressure is felt the most.  Once the areas are removed from the insole, patients have a better chance for a quicker recovery.

HealthyFeetStore.com carries a wide selection of wound care shoes for diabetic feet from one of the most trusted brands in the market: Darco International.

Darco Wound Care Shoe System for Off-Loading Lesions
This wound care shoe comes with four customizable insoles and a rocker sole design to allow patients to easily walk about from one place to another.  The upper has two adjustable hook and loop straps for a customized fit and is leather lined with Plastazote® material for added comfort.  This wound care shoe is sold in pairs so that there are no sole height problems with the unaffected foot.
4 Differing Density Insoles: A foot health professional can assist the patient by cutting out the areas of the insoles to relieve pressure and accommodate foot ulcers, wounds or lesions.

Darco Ultra – Off Loading Post Op Shoe (Square Toe)
This wound care shoe comes with two unique straps: one strap adjusts over the instep while the other strap is reversible and adjusts over the forefoot.  Patients will appreciate the wide toe box, which is ideal for swollen toes, big dressings or casts.  The rocker sole design will help patients take easier steps and it reduces plantar pressure by 25% under the forefoot and heel.  This wound care shoe is sold in singles.
Darco PegAssist System – Off Loading Insoles: The unique design of this insole allows the removal of pegs from areas of the bottom of the foot that contain ulcers, wounds or lesions. As much as 60% of pressure will be reduced and since the insole is made with Plastazote®, Poron® and multi foam, patients will gain shock absorption. This insole also comes with a single use marking tube to mark the area of the foot where pressure relief is desired.

Darco MedSurg – Square Toe Medical Surgical Shoe
This wound care shoe has a square toe design, which provides a bumper for extra protection. Two hook and loop straps can easily be adjusted for an optimal fit: one thin strap adjusts over the instep while a thicker Staple Closure at the forefoot can expand up to 17” in circumference to accommodate dressings or swollen feet.  The rocker sole design not only reduces plantar pressure by 25% under the forefoot and heel, but also helps patients walk easier from place to place.  This wound care shoe also comes with MetaShank protection, which provides unyielding control under the metatarsal heads.  This wound care shoe is sold in singles.
Darco PegAssist – Removable Peg Insole (PTO Series): This insole has pegs that can be removed from areas of the plantar surface of the foot to accommodate diabetic ulcers or wounds.  It’s made with an 18mm combination of Poron and Plastazote®, a design that provides shock absorption to minimize impact. To eliminate the chances of ring edema, the Poron cover remains intact after the pegs are removed. This insole also comes with a single use marking tube to mark the area of the foot where pressure relief is desired.

Sensitive skin can be hard to protect at times from certain injuries and conditions such as burns, irritation, and pressure ulcers; but now with the help of CABOT P.O.L. diabetic skin cream, you’ll be able to treat and enhance the health of your skin.  This cream is clinically tested and doctor recommended for the most sensitive skin.  What separates this cream from the rest is the fact that it’s formulated with needed ingredients to restore, nourish and hydrate the skin: It contains 25% P.O.L. (Pure Omental Lipids), Vitamins A and E, Allatoin, Glycerin, Dimethicone, and Hyaluronic Acid – all of which can help progress nutrient flow, enhance tissue repair, encourage new skin cell growth, and restore skin elasticity; you won’t have to worry about irritated, dry, and cracked skin anymore.  CABOT P.O.L. skin cream is the solution to healthy, smooth skin.

Notable ingredients:

25% Pure Omental Lipids help stimulate microcirculation, retain moisture in skin, improve nutrient flow to the skin, and promote skin regeneration.

Vitamin A helps stimulate new skin cells and is an antioxidant that is crucial for skin repair.

Vitamin E is an antioxidant that provides protection and is essential for tissue repair.

Allantoin minimizes irritation; it heals and soothes skin, and eliminates cracking and chafing.  It also encourages healthy tissue formation all while softening the skin.

Dimethicone is a moisture binding agent.  It not only conditions the skin, but also protects it; and it’s helpful for wound care.

Hyaluronic Acid attracts and locks water in the dermis layer of the skin and helps restore elasticity.

Glycerin helps draw moisture and keep the intercellular layer intact.  Plus, it forms a natural barrier to retain moisture.

As mentioned in our previous blog post: Top 5 Foot Care Products of 2010, we had one of our best years in sales!  Not only did we sell a variety of foot care products, but also numerous styles of shoes, slippers, sandals and other types of footwear.  Here is our list of the top 5 selling footwear products of 2010.

Moszkito Coast Fuzzy – Women’s Arch Support Slipper
This women’s slipper can be worn indoors or outdoors – it’s just that durable.  The sheepskin material coupled with an easy slip on design gives this women’s slipper an ultra-comfortable fit.  But what really makes the Moszkito Coast Fuzzy Slipper outstanding is its arch support design (16MM), which can help minimize heel pain, arch pain, knee pain and discomfort from plantar fasciitis.  The heel cup design will provide extra stability while the rubber outsole offers added traction and is non-marring – you’ll gain better footing and not scuff floors at the same time.

Orthaheel Women’s Arch Support Flip Flop Sandal, Tide
Unlike the poorly made sandals you’ll find at local drugstores, the Orthaheel Tide comes with a slew of features that will help improve foot functionality.  This podiatrist designed women’s flip flop sandal offers biomechanical correction for excessive pronation – this means that by wearing this sandal you’ll gain arch support and heel stabilization so that your lower limbs align properly, reducing the chances of experiencing heel pain, arch pain, foot pain, plantar fasciitis pain and back pain.  The Orthaheel Tide Women’s Arch Support Flip Flop Sandal is also approved by the APMA (American Podiatric Medical Association).

Cloud Nine Men’s Sheepskin Moccasin Slippers
This is a fabulous house shoe that will keep your feet comfy while lounging around at home.  What makes this men’s slipper a favorite is the sheepskin lining, which will keep your feet cool in the summer and warm in the winter because sheepskin is thermostatic.  This men’s sheepskin slipper comes with a memory foam midsole for added comfort, has a removable insole to accommodate custom orthotics and has a long-lasting outsole with added traction for better footing.  The Cloud Nine Men’s Sheepskin Moccasin Slipper is made from sheepskin imported from Australia and New Zealand.

Comfortrite Women’s Diabetic Slippers, Heritage
This slipper is an absolute favorite among our customers because it fulfills many of the requirements needed to accommodate diabetic feet, edema and extra wide feet; plus, it can also be used as a post-operative recovery house shoe.  The wide adjustable strap incorporates VELCRO® material to ensure an optimal fit at the closure.  Two removable inserts allow the wearer to adjust the depth while the pull tab at the heel helps with easy on/off.  The Comfortrite Heritage Women’s Diabetic Slipper is made with non-allergenic synthetic boiled wool material.

Orthaheel Men’s & Women’s Healthy Flip Flop Sandal, Wave
The Orthaheel Wave has the exact same footbed design as the Tide, with the exception of the upper strap that has a slightly different look.  As mentioned above, Orthaheel has really made a difference in improving the flip flop design by ensuring that wearers experience proper arch support and stability at the heel to minimize over-pronation and excessive supination.  No longer will wearers have to worry about foot fatigue during a beach excursion or a summer outing with the Orthaheel Wave Men’s & Women’s Flip Flop Sandal.