Spare Your Feet From The ‘Summer Spread’
Working in the concrete jungle of New York City for over five years, I’ve established a steady rhythm when running to the bus or chasing down a taxi. But after a long-day of getting my Flo-Jo on in four-inch heels, I return to my apartment with sore, swollen feet and no gold medals. And though I wake up the next morning back to normal, like thousands of other women, my widening footsies shouldn’t be so easily ignored.
“‘Summer spread‘ refers to the widening, flattening and collapse of feet when they are not bound and closed in,” explains New York City-based podiatrist Dr. Dennis Shavelson. Meaning that our favorite warm-weather sandals (especially those T-strap ones that are super flat) are only making things worse as they provide no support and are too flat–placing the body in an abnormal walking position that can cause long-term medical issues, including toe, knee, hip and back problems. Welp!
In the slideshow below, Dr. Shavelson gives his seven top tips on how to stop the “summer spread.” Plus, his advice on healthy and natural ways to soothe the aching and swelling.
Meanwhile, find out how your shoes may be making your blisters worse.
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Take the “functional foot type test”
Take a piece of paper and while seated, have someone make an outline of your foot lightly touching (without weight) and then repeat the test on the same piece of paper with you standing and applying your weight. The larger your foot gets when weighted, the more foot type spread (“summer spread”) you have and the more you should avoid shoes that allow that widening. Getty Images
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Tighten up your feet
Wear closed-in shoes or gym shoes intermittently to allow feet to “tighten.” Monday, Wednesday and Friday, slip into sandals, and on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, switch things up with sneakers or gym shoes. Getty Images
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Shop smart for summer shoes
Purchase sandals with an arched or vaulted foot bed instead of a flat one. A small heel (1-1.5″) or wedge is better than a flat heel as they put too much strain on the tendon Achilles. Put on an over-the-counter arch binder under your sandals to reduce spread. Getty Images
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Take a load off… but with a lift
While at home, watching TV, reading a book or cooking a meal, put on a pair of the highest heels and tightest toe shoes you will wear in the fall and winter. Getty Images
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Beware of “bad” footwear
Like our go-to thong sandals, <a href=”http://www.allure.com/beauty-trends/blogs/daily-beauty-reporter/2012/07/flip-flop-problems.html” target=”_hplink”>flip-flops</a>, Uggs and ballerina flats are also no-good shoes that may spark long-term health issues. They are bad choices all year round that should be reduced or avoided unless your feet are naturally strong and healthy. Also, because of “summer spread”, women should be cautious about getting back into their fall wardrobe which may have become tight (think of a pregnancy). Getty Images
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Soothe aching and swelling feet the natural way
Natural pain relievers like arnica, calendula, cayenne and peppermint (especially good for feet) are preferred. The less color, scenting and preserving stuff, the better. Getty Images
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Drink more water
Swelling is a metabolic and plumbing problem and not a foot problem. If we walked on our hands, our hands would be swollen. The best advice is to drink more water (half your weight in ounces), eat less salt, elevate your legs higher than your heart during the day and wear low-grade compression stockings. Getty Images
Excerpt from:
Spare Your Feet From The ‘Summer Spread’
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