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Protecting Your Feet With High-Tech Padding

Statistics

According to podiatrists, for a 150-pound person, each foot bears 127,000 pounds of pressure while walking a mile. In an average lifetime, the feet log more than 100,000 miles. Statistics show that 75% of Americans will experience foot problems at some time in their lives. Besides soreness and aching, there are long-term problems that may result from excessive stress on feet. Walking on concrete, something many of us are forced to endure is a major source of injurious stress.

The Natural Design of Our Feet

Our feet were designed to walk on mother earth, which has a soft "give" to it, a light cushioning effect. However, when we walk on concrete, there is no cushioning effect at all. This results in harder impacting on the bones and fatty tissue padding (our natural shock absorbers) in the bottom of the feet. Long-term walking on concrete can cause the fatty-tissue padding to gradually be pushed away from padding the bones. This can lead to soreness, low-level inflammation and a trip to the podiatrist.

Neoprene Inserts

Footpads in supermarkets and drugstores may help, but quality foam rubber Neoprene shoe inserts can be more effective. Neoprene inserts offer multi-density foam cushioning that protects the fatty-tissue padding of the foot.  If you have soreness, aches and pain, this wonderful cushioning can bring much-needed relief.

If you do not have pain, proper cushioning provides shock absorption, puts more spring in your step, diminishes stress and protects your feet. In addition, Neoprene inserts lessen friction and moisture, to protect against blisters. The inserts are thin, flexible pads which can be cut with ordinary scissors to fit shoe size. And the material is washable. If you wear snug business dress shoes, you may have to increase your shoe size to accommodate the padding. If so, realize this is still a cheap price to pay compared with worn-out, sore feet that lead to serious, chronic problems.

For very serious problems, there are medical-supply inserts that provide greater protection for the bones and nerves of the feet. Though they do cost more than regular neoprene inserts, they are a one-time buy as hey last a lifetime. Also, because they are so dense, they do not absorb odors as thinner, neoprene pads do.

As always, consult with your podiatrist or physician before using these stress aids.

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Sources: Neoprene Inserts American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine (www.aapsm.org) Foot Problems (www.healthinaging.org)

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