Diabetic shoes are essential for people with diabetic feet because they provide protection, comfort and can prevent certain foot problems from occurring.  But what many people don’t know is that you don’t have to be a diabetic in order to enjoy the wonderful features that come with diabetic shoes.  Diabetic shoes can be worn by everyone because the basic difference between them and other normal shoes is the fact they’re better made.  Unfortunately, diabetic shoes in the past have suffered greatly when it came to their looks, but with improved designs and more styles available, diabetic shoes are starting to look more and more like fashionable normal shoes.  So what does this mean?  This means that just about anyone, diabetics and non-diabetics alike, can gain the health benefits that come from wearing diabetic shoes.

At HealthyFeetStore.com, our growing selections of diabetic shoes are not only A5500 Medicare-certified as diabetic footwear, but also come in numerous styles, colors and sizes.  We carry diabetic shoes for women and men from some of the tops brands in the market such as Drew, P.W. Minor, Pedors, Propet, Apis, Acor, Comfortrite, PG Lite, Aetrex, New Balance, Dunham, and Brooks.

Some notable features of diabetic shoes that everyone can enjoy:

Breathable Uppers
Uppers that are made with leather or spandex provide breathability so that feet stay ventilated and moisture-free.  Moisture in the interior of a shoe can be a breeding ground for bacteria and fungi growth, so having shoes that allow breathability reduces the chances of experiencing foot problems such as Toenail Fungus and Athlete’s Foot.

Secure Closure System
A secure closure design will ensure an optimal fit so that the shoe stays on the foot.  Having an optimal fit keeps the foot from moving in the shoe, which ultimately decreases the chances of getting irritations, bunions, and calluses.

Less Seaming
When the lining in the shoe has less seaming or a seamless design, it means the interior is smoother, which improves comfort and reduces the chances of experiencing irritations.

Extra Depth
Having extra depth accommodate diabetics with swollen feet and allows the use of custom orthotics or heel pads.  At HealthyFeetStore.com, we offer diabetic shoes with 3/16″ – 3/8″ of extra depth.

Removable Insole
An insole that can be removed allows for the use of custom orthotics such as diabetic insoles or arch support insoles.  Keep in mind that diabetic insoles are designed to provide the feet protection and comfort where as other insoles, such as arch support inserts, are designed to help correct posture and stability.

Stable Heel Counter
At stable heel counter keeps the heel from moving around in the shoe, which not only helps provide stability and support when walking, but also prevents chafing at the heel and helps eliminate heel pain.

Roomy Toe Box
A roomy toe box keeps the toes from bunching up in the shoe, which typically can cause unhealthy foot conditions such as hammertoes and bunions.  Typically, you should be able to move your toes freely in any type of shoe you wear, so having a roomy toe box allows plenty of room for wiggling toes.

Firm Midsole
A midsole that is firm yet flexible at toe off provides extra stability during the gait cycle. At HealthyFeetStore.com, we carry diabetic shoes with a variety of different midsole designs, from EVA midsoles to polyurethane midsoles.

Thick Sole
A thick sole with added traction provides better footing and can help absorb shock upon impact.  At HealthyFeetStore.com, some of our diabetic shoes have polyurethane soles with rocker bottom designs to help improve the gait cycle.

Widths/Sizes
Diabetic shoes come in various widths and sizes.  At HealthyFeetStore.com, we typically carry Medium, Wide and Extra-Wide widths.  We also carry bigger sizes for those who need them such as a women’s size 15 or a men’s size 18.

Diabetic Shoes are great for:

• Diabetic Feet
• Diabetic Neuropathy
• Swollen Feet
• Hammer Toes
• Bunions
• High Arches
• Wide Feet

Raise your hand if you enjoy Back To School shopping.

For parents, this means taking the time to find the best Back To School deals, sales and coupons, and then spending the money on new attire, backpacks, notebooks, pencils, lunchboxes – the works.

For kids, this means taking time away from playing with friends or relaxing, and instead, being dragged around the malls with parents. They’re forced to try on clothes mom likes and select school supplies with their favorite colors.

Question: How can this frustrating, inconvenient process be turned into an easier and faster experience that will satisfy both kids and parents?

Answer: Shop online!

The online shopping process you will experience with HealthyFeetStore.com will benefit both you and your child.

Here are the top 5 reasons to shop at HealthyFeetStore.com for Back To School footwear:

1. Our online store makes it easy and convenient for parents to order their children shoes, socks and other foot care products, while at the same time, informing themselves about health
2. We are currently offering free domestic ground shipping on any pair of children’s shoes or sandals (this coupon code excludes sale items, slippers and post-op footwear) through August. Just use the coupon code backtoschool in check out
3. HealthyFeetStore.com always offers free exchanges, so you can rest assure that you will find the right size in the right shoe for your child without spending any on shipping
4. When you buy a product from our online store, you also get the comfort of knowing that our shoes are hand-selected by footwear professionals who look for quality, cushion, durability and support in every shoe
5. The Children’s athletic shoes that we sell are designed to support the arch and heel, include cushion for shock absorption, are stable but offer forefoot flexion and are constructed to be extra durable to survive kids’ rough activities.

We highly recommend your kids wear children’s athletic shoes for daily use. Our new Brooks children’s athletic shoes, New Balance children’s athletic shoes and Keen Kid’s Walking Shoes are just what fit the bill.

Please note: We recommend you have your child’s feet professionally measured before you order shoes online, because a child’s shoe size will continue to change and it is best to know your child’s current shoe size. Our Footer Foot Measure Device is compact, light and convenient to have at home to measure your children’s rapidly-growing feet.

Brooks children’s shoes have removable insoles to accommodate custom orthotics, breathable mesh uppers, HPR Plus durable rubber outsoles and HydroFlow ST for extra cushioning. Brooks Ghost Athletic Shoes for boys and girls is an excellent motion control shoe, featuring a strobel last construction to allow enhanced stability and flexibility and Forefoot Cush Pod Construction for maximum flexibility and motion control. Brooks Adrenaline GTS Athletic Shoes for boys and girls offers maximum stability and is ideal to help control pronation in order to prevent future foot pains or injuries. This stability athletic shoe features Diagonal Rollbars to prevent unwanted promation, Strobel last construction for increased stability and flexibility and Forefoot Stable Pod Construction offers excellent stability and responsiveness. Brooks children’s shoes are available in mismatched sizes, to accommodate children who have two different sized feet or who need to only order one shoe.

New Balance children’s shoes are available in medium and wide widths and have removable insoles to accommodate orthotics. New Balance 687 Athletic Shoe features mesh and leather uppers, C-CAP compression-molded EVA for additional midsole cushion and flexibility, ABZORB foam for cushion and compression and non-marking outsoles. The 687 is available in a lace-up closure for a tight fit or is available in an adjustable z-strap closure for boys and girls. New Balance 572 Athletic shoe for boys has mesh and leather uppers, N-FUSE technology for a layering of soft and firm foam to provide both cushion and support, injection molded EVA and an extra aggressive rubber outsole for traction while walking, running or hiking. New Balance 623 Children’s Athletic shoe sports a leather upper, rubber cup outsole and pull tab. The New Balance 623 is available in a lace-up closure or a dual adjustable strap closure.

Keen’s durable trail walking shoe, Targhee, is a very popular style year-round. The kid’s Targhee shoe is water-resistant and features elastic laces so kids can’t trip over untied laces, a toe guard to protect kids’ vulnerable toes, arch support, cushioning, non-skin and non-marking outsole, moisture-wicking lining and a removable vegan-friendly footbed to accommodate customer orthotics. Keen Kid’s Targhee is now available in three fun color combinations.

Ditch the crowded malls and tedious trips to the stores, and take advantage of our free shipping on all kids shoes and sandals through August!

Peripheral neuropathy occurs when the nerves of the peripheral nervous system are diseased or damaged, which usually affects the nerves that connect the spinal cord and brain to other extremities (arms or legs) or parts of the body (muscles, skin or internal organs).  When nerves are damaged, communication from the brain to the rest of the body can be interrupted and cause impaired muscle movements or abnormal sensations in the arms or legs such as numbness, tingling or pain.

Unfortunately, there are more than 100 various types of peripheral neuropathy that are known and it’s a disease that is more common than people think.  Peripheral neuropathy can occur at any age and it’s estimated that around 20 million people in the U.S. suffer from it.  This illness is often times misdiagnosed and patients are sometimes told that they have side effects of other diseases such as cancer or diabetes.  Sadly, there are some instances when patients are diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy but are simply told that they just have to live with it because there is nothing that can be done for it.  Many feel that this has to change and there needs to be better awareness about peripheral neuropathy so that many who suffer with this illness can have support and answers.  To learn more about peripheral neuropathy or make a donation, please visit The Neuropathy Association.

Causes of Peripheral Neuropathy

• Diabetes
• Various cancers
• Inherited diseases
• Poor diet
• Vitamin deficiency
• Certain medication
• Herniated discs in the back
• Alcoholism
• Unknown cause
• Tumors
• Infections
• Toxins

Symptoms of Peripheral Neuropathy

• Arms or legs feel weak
  • Arms that are weakened could mean having trouble turning door knobs and carrying groceries; or dropping things such as keys
  • Legs that are weakened feel heavy; walking, running and simply walking up stairs can be difficult to do; muscle cramps may be experienced as well
• Numbness, tingling or pain
  • Damaged nerves can cause paresthesias: abnormal sensations such as sharp, deep stabs, pinching, tingling and numbness
  • Patients may feel nothing at all (loss of sensation)
• Glove and Stocking Sensation
  • When patients get the feeling as if they’re wearing gloves or stockings on their bare hands or feet
• Sense of position is lost
  • When patients lose feeling in their feet, they lose coordination when walking, causing many to change the way they walk, usually by widening their stance or dragging their feet

Neuropathy Treatment

• Not all types of peripheral neuropathy can be cured, but there are things that can be done to help patients live comfortably with the disease
• If you suffer from some of the peripheral neuropathy symptoms mentioned above, it’s recommended to see an experienced neurologist before the disease gets worse

Diabetic Neuropathy of the Foot

• Those who suffer from diabetic neuropathy of the foot may experience diabetic foot pain at the beginning; but as the disease advances, patients will most likely lose sensation in their feet, raising the risk of developing foot ulcers, which could lead to amputation if not treated
• It’s recommended to check your feet daily for wounds and seek medical attention if you detect an open wound; make sure you wear proper diabetic socks and diabetic shoes that are comfortable and always do your best to prevent diabetic foot problems from occurring

It’s that time of year: Back to School sales flood the malls and online stores.

Parents are overwhelmed with sales, coupons, specials and advertisements about the coolest trends. Children are in need to get at least one new pair of comfortable shoes to jump, run, kick and play in (aka: destroy) as the year goes on.

But how dare we overlook the single other necessary group of people who complete the Back to School process: teachers. Teachers need comfortable shoes, too!

Just thinking about all the walking, pacing and standing that teachers have to do five days a week make my toes curl. And while they may be sick of lecturing or frustrated with the rebellious kids in class, at least they can count on their feet being cozy. Teachers need shoes that can be as reliable as them – teachers need to be able to react at the drop of a pen if something goes wrong, so they are in need of cushioned, low-to-the-ground, closed-heel footwear.

If you are shopping for teacher shoes, remember that it is important to be comfortable and look professional. Most schools (if not all) have dress codes, most of which recommend closed heel shoes, without being too casual or fancy.

We recommend you do not wear:

• Flip flops
• High heels
• Tennis shoes (unless you are going on a field trip or you are a physical education teacher)

To reduce your chances of injury, we suggest you wear:

• Sensible flats
• Professional oxfords
• Kitten heels
• Small wedges
• Closed heels
• Close-toed

Our online store sells various comfortable shoes for teachers:

Teachers Who Are Aching To Be Comfy

Suffering from sore or sensitive feet? Standing all day with aching feet can increase your pain and worsen the problem. Soothe your feet and slip on a pair of Aetrex shoes, which have wider toe boxes to prevent bunions and are available in multiple widths for a perfect fit. Aetrex wedges are lightweight, and made with breathable leather linings and a heel counter for added support. Want to look professional with a casual edge? The Aetrex Bianca is a feminine wedge that will prevent foot pain and the Aetrex Andrea Wedge’s upper is made of a stretchy fabric to gently hug your sensitive feet. The Aetrex Lucy is a simple Mary Jane style with firm counters, additional cushioning and two removable insoles to accommodate custom orthotics.

Teachers Who Are Fashion-forward

If you are an avid heel-wearer, have no fear, Naot combines super cute styles with comfortable attributes to construct flawless shoes that women can wear anywhere. Naot dress shoes have wider heels to enhance balance and comfort, so your foot health isn’t jeopardized while you stay stylish and professional. The Naot Trendy has a metal shank for added stability, an adjustable strap and a 2 inch heel height. The Naot Pleasure has a tied bow accessory with a 2 1/4 inch heel. The Naot Gleam has a soft upper, side zipper and 2 1/2 inch heel. Naot’s footbeds are made of soft cork and have arch support, deep heel indentation and hallux support to promote a healthy weight distribution. If you are looking for comfortable teachers shoes but don’t want to sacrifice style, some closed heel Naot styles could be the shoes you’ve been searching for.

Teachers Who Are Perfectionists

For women who need comfortable teacher shoes, Drew makes a lot of women’s styles that will do the trick, ranging from casual to dressy. Drew women’s shoes are available in multiple widths, have removable insoles to accommodate custom orthotics, dual density heels to absorb shock, low heels and tempered steel shanks for added stability. The Drew Kerry has a unique stitched pattern upper and a 7/8 inch heel. The Drew Alicia has a soft leather upper and 1 2/8 inch heel. The Drew Isabel has an adjustable strap and is Medicare coded A5500 as a diabetic shoe. Drew women’s shoes are perfectly professional and will allow a perfect fit.

Teachers With Vibrant Personalities

Youthful and fun, Alegria Palomas are eccentric Mary Janes available in bold colors and patterns. Palomas have an adjustable hook and loop strap with a decorative button, removable footbed, extra depth and an anatomically-correct, cushioned footbed that slowly conforms to the natural shape of your feet. Alegria’s staple, lightweight rocker bottom outsole rolls naturally with every step, which reduces strain, prevents injury and encourages proper posture. Pick out a pattern or color that suits you or buy as many colors as you want to match your mood of the day. Alegria Palomas are available in Plum Patent, Tortoise, Brown Peace & Love, Snow Leopard, Black Napa Leather and more.

Teachers Who Love Cozy Clogs

Some people just won’t give up their slip-on favorites. Since slip-on shoes do not belong in the classroom, we will improvise: Sanita makes closed back clogs that look and feel like clogs, but offer you the support and secure fit you need. Sanita closed back clogs have roomy toe boxes for wiggle room, padded insteps, protective heel cap, anatomically shaped non-removable insole that will absorb moisture and a stapled construction for enhanced durability. These features will reduce your chances of foot odor, blisters, corns and bunions. Sanita’s shock-absorbing polyurethane sole has added traction and has a special Roll Off rocker bottom design that will ease your strides. Sanita Brigde has a faux crocodile patent leather upper. Sanita Croco Professional Clog has a shiny, high-quality croco leather upper. Sanita Oiled Leather Professional Clog has a smooth, high-quality oiled leather upper.

Teachers Who Prefer It Old School

We also have comfortable teachers shoes for the more conservative dressers. Available in widths from narrow to double wide, PW Minor shoes can fit any sensitive teacher’s feet and bring him or her a new world of relief. PW Minor has removable insoles to accommodate orthotics, and most of their shoes have wide toe boxes to prevent bunions, extra cushioning and are coded as diabetic footwear. PW Minor Women’s Sasha Mary Jane shoe has a moisture-wicking lining, added depth, elastic gore at toe box entry and added traction in the outsole to prevent slipping. PW Minor Tory has long firm inside counters, moisture-wicking lining and an adjustable strap. Softwalk is known for their “eggcrate” construction footbed which is extremely cushy and will sooth sensitive feet. Softwalk Jupiter is a simple Mary Jane style offered in 5 different widths and is sure to keep your feet comfortable.

For the Male Teachers

Men looking for comfortable shoes for teachers need to follow the same rules as women: wear comfortable, professional-looking, closed-heeled shoes, without looking too fancy. Aetrex has a great collection of men’s professional oxfords, made with high-quality leather and removable insoles. Aetrex Classic Oxford has a semi-curved last, slip-resistant sole, soft padded collar, cushioned interior and a removable insole. Finn Comfort offers German-made casual and professional shoes for men, including the Finn Comfort Dijon, which has hand-stitched leather uppers, leather linings, an orthopedic footbed and a shock-absorbing sole. Dunham constructs stylish men’s shoes for hard-working men. The Dunham Burlington Dress Shoe has a waterproof and smooth grain leather upper, waxed laces, padded tongue, leather lining, cushioning at the heel and forefoot, stability shank single-unit sole and is Medicare coded as diabetic footwear.

Did the pursuit of getting in shape for the Summer slip past your fingers? Found yourself too tired or busy to work out? Is it uncomfortable to exercise? Do you need new workout gear?

HealthyFeetStore.com wants to give you that first push toward making a commitment to comfortably and regularly exercise. There’s about two months left of Summer and it’s never too late to start doing something good for your body.

Today is the first day of our Get Back In Shape Giveaway Contest: One lucky, randomly-chosen winner will win $100 of store credit toward athletic shoes, insoles and socks tailored for your body and your work out plan.

Dates of Giveaway: Today, August 3 through Thursday, August 5 11:59 p.m. PST.

To Be A Winner: You must comment this blog post and answer BOTH of the questions listed below. You must be at least 18 years old and live in the United States or have an APO/FPO shipping address. One winner will be chosen at random. The winner will be announced on Friday, August 6. If the winner does not claim his/her prize within 7 days, another winner will be chosen. If you want to enter but are not able to use a computer, please mail us your entry.

What You Could Win: One winner will get a free consultation by phone with our certified pedorthist and she will recommend a customized package of insoles, socks and athletic shoes that you should wear based on your foot type, conditions and exercise level. We will give you $100 of store credit toward these three items. Before the phone consultation with our pedothist, the winner will have to answer a few questions via e-mail about his or her feet and planned exercise routine.

How to Enter:

Comment this blog post and answer BOTH questions:

1) What brand of athletic shoes do you currently wear while exercising OR if you don’t currently have any, what athletic shoe brand is your favorite?

2) Which athletic shoe on our online store would you want to wear? View women or View men.

Extra Entries:

(Please leave a different comment for each extra entry)

-Follow us on Twitter and RT about our contest

-Like our Facebook Fan Page

Good luck!

We will announce and contact the winner on Friday, August 6.

The origins of Dunham shoes and boots can be traced all the way back to 1885 when George and Charles Dunham set up shop and opened the first Dunham Brothers shoe store in Brattleboro, Vermont.  In those days, pioneers and explorers needed durable footwear to withstand the rigors of outdoor environments and it was this need that was the inspiration for the creation of Dunhman Bootmakers brand.  For more than a century, Dunham Bootmakers designed footwear for the active outdoor lifestyle, committing themselves to only using the highest craftsmanship in their designs and manufacturing.  In 1998 the company was acquired by New Balance Athletic Shoe, Inc.; and since the acquisition, the same ground-breaking technologies that are used in New Balance footwear are used in Dunham shoes and boots, which only improved the footwear.

Even though Dunham is part of the New Balance family, they still produce shoes that are inspired by the outdoors.  There are a variety of styles available for both the business man and the outdoor enthusiast – from handsome looking casual dress shoes with breathable leather uppers to durable made boots with gusseted tongues to keep debris from entering the boots. Not only are Dunham shoes and boots comfortable and lightweight, but also come in a wide range of sizes and widths, from narrow 2A to extra, extra wide 6E.  Dunham is proud to offer footwear that fits properly because they strongly believe that if shoes fit correctly, they’ll perform better.  They believe in this so much that some of their boots come in as many as 87 size/width combinations.  Dunham footwear offers the best of both worlds: durable, orthopedic comfort and stylish designs to fit any casual or outdoor activity.

Notable features that separate Dunham shoes and boots from other footwear:

• Dryworks: a waterproof moisture management membrane system that consists of a waterproof, breathable and seam-sealed leather upper that keeps feet dry and moisture-free
• ROLLBAR: a piece of graphite that is biomechanically placed in the midsole and combined with TPU medial/lateral posts to provide rearfoot stability to minimize pronation and supination
• ABZORB: shock absorbing cushioning at the heel and forefoot to minimize impact in each step
• Stability Web: reduces the weight of the shoe all the while providing exceptional support in the midfoot area
• TRU-TRAK: specially designed rubber outsole that provides maximum traction for better footing
• IMEVA: injection molded EVA foam that is incorporated in the midsole mold to provide durability and flexible cushioning
• Removable Insoles: custom orthotics, arch support inserts and diabetic insoles (only for Dunham A5500 Medicare coded shoes) can replace the removable insoles
• A5500 Medicare Coded: some Dunham shoes are classified as diabetic footwear

HealthyFeetStore.com welcomes a new line of orthopedic sandals to our online store. WeilBeing Integrative Footwear combines the designs of Dr. Phillip Vasyli, the podiatrist who invented the award-winning Orthaheel orthotic insert and technology, and the philosophies of Dr. Andrew Weil, who preaches about using natural, integrative medicines to promote healthy lifestyles.

These two health-conscious doctors have created this footwear line to not only improve foot health, but to reduce ankle pain, heel pain, back pain, extra stress on joints, incorrect posture and to encourage exercise and healthy lifestyle choices.

Most sandals found in stores provide your feet with little or no health benefits. But you can trust WeilBeing Integrative Footwear sandals to comfort your feet and keep them healthy with the line’s high-quality, doctor-designed and doctor-approved technology.

Each sandal features:

• Contoured EVA tri-planar motion control comfort footbed (similar to Orthaheel technology): arch support and a deep heel cup and will reduce the amount of incorrect pronation
• Rubber outsole: non-slip, made with recycled materials
• First Ray Compression Zone technology (an excavation in the outsole under the ball of the foot to aid in a more natural propulsion)
• Full grain uppers
• Leather-wrapped toe post for a secure, yet comfortable fit

These fashionable men’s and women’s sandals will be available in thong flip flop styles and adjustable strap slide sandal styles.

Dr. Weil is an avid believer that walking is the best exercise – and what type of shoes you wear has a direct effect on biomechanics to harm or injury your body. WeilBeing Integrative Footwear will promote correct posture, fight foot fatigue and reduce other bodily pains so you can enjoy adding more movement to your life.

So you’re planning to travel somewhere and you need to compile a list of things you’re going to need for the upcoming trip.  Airplane tickets — check!  Hotel accommodations — check!  Rental car — check!  Suitcases — check!  Appropriate wardrobe — check!  Foot products — what?  Why foot products?  Imagine this scenario; you’re on your way to the airport when you notice that the shoes you’re wearing are too tight.  Then after a few hours at the airport, which involves  standing in line to check in your bags and walking to your terminal, your feet become achy.  Finally your plane takes off but you’re stuck on a six hour flight wearing tight fitting shoes and having sore, tired feet.  All of a sudden your feet start itching and you can’t even take them off for relief because the airplane seating is just too constricting.  Oh, and of course once you’ve reached your destination, you’re stuck with the same problem – wearing the same tight shoes and having uncomfortable feet.  At this point you’re probably wondering why you didn’t think about wearing comfortable footwear or using foot care products to enhance your comfort throughout your trip.  To assist you with this, we at HealthyFeetStore.com have put together a list of foot products that we highly recommend adding to your pre-travel list.

Slip On Shoes
The ideal thing about slip on shoes is the fact that they can easily be slipped on and off.  So if you’re on a six-hour airplane flight you can easily slip out of your shoes for added comfort because you don’t have to worry about untying annoying laces or loosening hook and loop straps.  Slip on shoes come in a variety of styles.  Clogs and closed toe sandals are among the most popular.  We recommend wearing slip on shoes that come with orthopedic features as well, which include breathable uppers, anatomical footbeds, cushioning midsoles with proper arch support and durable outsoles.  Notable brands that carry stylish slip on shoes with orthopedic features include Alegria by PG Lite, Klogs, Naot, Sanita, Dunham, Orthaheel and Softwalk.

Foot Odor Products
Now that you’ve decided to wear a pair of slip on shoes, wouldn’t it be nice to take them off without causing other travelers to look in your direction wondering where the smell is coming from.  Since our feet perspire a lot, it’s inevitable that we’re going to have foot odor – but that doesn’t give us the excuse to just let it happen.  There are various foot odor products that can reduce or eliminate the smell, such as On Your Toes Foot Powder and Tineacide Antifungal Shoe Spray.  I can personally vouch for both of these items – they absolutely eliminate odor.  Both products kill bacteria and fungus before the infection takes place and you don’t necessarily have to add them to your shoes everyday.  On Your Toes Foot Powder can be used once every six months and the Tineacide Antifungal Shoe Spray can be used about two to three times a week.

Compression Stockings
Sitting or standing for long periods of time can cause legs and feet to swell.  This can be a very bad thing since travelers that fall into this category are more likely to suffer from varicosities or venous disorders if they don’t take the proper precautions. If you’re such a traveler, we highly recommend wearing compression stockings.  Proven by medical research, compression therapy can reduce venous disorders from occurring by improving valve functioning.  There are various compression ranges available.  Light compression ranges can be worn by anyone, but if you do suffer from edema or have symptoms of venous disorders, we recommend you speak to a health professional to determine which compression stockings are best suited for you to wear.  Compression stockings also come in fashionable styles so that your legs can look good and feel great at the same time.

Foot Creams
Traveling with dry cracked heels can be an uncomfortable experience, especially for those who plan to wear sandals.  Unfortunately, dry cracked heels can be a bit unattractive, and if not treated correctly could cause pain, irritation and in some case, bleeding. But there is something you can do about it.  You can rub foot cream on your feet.  Kerasul ultra20 Extra Strength Foot Cream and Tripod Labs Hydrostat Foot Cream can do the trick.  Both creams will rejuvenate your skin and leave your feet feeling smooth and refreshed.  They will also help soften calluses and restore your skin’s healthy appearance.

Support Shoes/Insoles
Once you reach your destination, make sure you wear footwear that offers support and stability so that you don’t experience foot pain or foot fatigue.  Tired achy feet can really put a damper on your trip so we highly recommend wearing orthopedic shoes or insoles that provide proper arch support and heel stabilization.  By having proper support along the arches and stability at the heel, lower limbs will be aligned correctly.  This reduces stress on muscles and joints and can help prevent pronation.  Athletic walking shoes and arch support insoles are perfect for travelers that will be on their feet a lot, especially for those who are vacationing and plan to do a lot of walking and sightseeing.  If you’re on a business trip, there are also orthopedic dress shoes for women and men that can offer the same arch support and stability as athletic shoes.

Next time you’re in a busy restaurant, at a park or a crowded mall, sit back and watch how people walk. (Try not to be creepy when you do this.) I guarantee you will notice that some people walk differently than the rest.

Do you see anyone whose feet roll outward, so the people are walking on the outer sides of their feet? Do you see anyone whose feet roll inward, so their feet are bent and ankles almost to the floor? Do your feet make either of these movements? Where and how one’s feet hit the ground (pronation) can help pinpoint potential injuries, the type of foot arch and which shoes will be the most comfortable.

Pronation is our foot’s natural movement to absorb the impact of hitting the ground when walking or running. Note that Pronation has nothing to do with being pigeon toed or having duck feet. There are three types of Pronation: Normal Pronation, Overpronation and Underpronation (Supination). Normal Pronation is – you guessed it – ideal.

When a person with Normal Pronation walks, his or her heel hits the ground first, then the foot slightly rolls inward and then pushes off evenly at the toe area. The impact is distributed throughout the foot and the entire foot supports the body. This makes walking easy and pain-free. These normal pronators have a healthy gait cycle and a normal arch.

If a person has Overpronation, the outside of the heel hits the ground first, then the foot rolls in too much and the two biggest toes are mainly responsible for pushing off the ground. The impact isn’t absorbed evenly, so the foot and ankle can’t stabilize and support the body properly. Overpronation is common in people with low arches, flat feet or who are overweight. They are more susceptible to feet and ankle injuries. Walking and running can be painful for overpronators.

The least common type of pronation is called Underpronation, which occurs when the outside of the heel makes the first contact with the ground, but there isn’t enough inward movement of the foot, so the foot rolls along its narrow, outside edge and the smallest toes push off. The weight is not distributed efficiently throughout the foot and the smaller parts of the foot has to take the impact. Supinators (underpronators) are more vulnerable to getting knee and back injuries than others, because the shock from hitting the ground on such small and weak areas of the foot travels up through the legs.

You can tell what type of pronator someone is by observing them walk or run. If their feet tend to roll and bend inward, then they are an overpronator, but if their feet tend to roll and bend outward, then they are an underpronator. Those with normal arches or those wearing footwear with biomechanical correction will move with normal pronation.

See What Type of Arch You Have With This Easy Test:

1. Get a grocery store-type paper bag
2. Get the bottom of your left foot wet
3. Step on the paper bag with your left foot and put your weight on it as if you were walking
4. Look at your footprint
5. If your footprint is in the shape of a C, with half your arch showing, then you have a normal arch
6. If you see most of your footprint, then you have flat feet (low arches)
7. If you only see your toes, top of your foot and your heel (with a space in between the top and bottom of your foot), then you have high arches

If you are an overpronator, you should seriously consider buying an arch support insole or supportive footwear to help keep your body balanced and pain-free. Our Orthaheel sandals were designed by a podiatrist to reduce pronation, therefore increasing arch support, stability and improving posture. Orthaheel sandals can relieve heel, ankle and back pain, as well.

If you’re a Normal Pronator, you want shoes, sandals or insoles designed with:

• Moderate arch support
• Neutral-cushioned shoes

If you’re an Overpronator, you want shoes, sandals or insoles designed with:

• Contoured and firm arch support
• Deep heel cup
• Dual-density midsoles
• Motion control
• Stability Shoes

If you’re an Underpronator, you want shoes, sandals or insoles designed with:

• Neutral-cushioned shoes
• Soft midsole
• No stability or motion-control shoes

Walking is arguably the best form of exercise for people of all ages. It is something we all know how to do, it’s easy to do, it can be done almost anywhere, and it is the activity with the least chance of injury.

It’s an excellent physical activity for seniors, but it’s also a great calorie-burner for everyone else, whether you’re 20, 30 or 40. If you don’t already have a routine workout plan, then you should walk for daily exercise. Walk around the block, walk to and from the grocery store, walk around a shopping mall – it’s so easy and convenient for those healthy enough to be walking, I dare you to come up with an excuse to not walk.

If you are interested in adding walking as part of your regular exercise schedule, then consider your health, energy level, hydration level, planned location and the climate first. Then, make sure you have at least one pair of high-quality athletic shoes that are supportive, comfortable and allow ventilation. Wearing breathable, high-quality socks can make a positive difference, too.

For all of you regular walkers, bravo! But remember that as the weather changes, we must change with it. Below are walking tips for safe and healthy Summer walking:

• Let someone know where you plan to go before you leave (even if you just leave a note)
• Walk early in the day or later in the evening, when the temperature isn’t the hottest
• Carry a form of ID
• Start walking slowly and if you feel up to it, gradually increase your speed
• Wear well-fitted, supportive and moisture-wicking shoes and socks to keep your feet dry, cool and pain-free
• Bring a water bottle or canteen and stay hydrated
• Always wear sunscreen and a hat (remember, even if it’s cloudy outside, you can still get sunburned)
• Be aware of your surroundings
• Walk with good posture (straight back, head facing forward, arms swinging)
• Wear lightweight, light colored clothing to repel the heat
• Know the signs of being over-heated or dehydrated
• Walk with a friend or family member
• Stretch before and after walk
• If you are feeling too hot or tired, slow down or stop to rest

Walking is a great form of exercise, but you must take the changing weather into account if you plan to walk outside. If you don’t consider some of the before-mentioned walking tips, you risk dehydration, heat stroke, injury or other unwanted outcomes. Please always put your health and safety first, and if you are not sure if walking is the right activity for you, ask your doctor.