CategoriesFootwear Health

How Do I Know If I Need Orthotics?

Foot pain, soreness and joint strain are serious problems as they affect your wellness and can inhibit your most productive lifestyle. Orthotics are a useful way to aid in pain prevention and management by providing support, cushioning and stability. Orthotics can reduce the likelihood of strain and injury whilst engaging in activity, as well as being a great daily shoe for prevention of future foot conditions. But what is orthotic shoe technology? How does it differ from orthopaedic? How can you know if it can benefit your lifestyle?

Although generally conflated, orthotic and orthopaedic shoes have their differences. Orthopaedic shoes are medical shoes, often custom made for correcting the foot position. Orthotic shoes are more general, and rather than medically correct the foot, will aid in the function and natural alignment of the foot by providing stability, arch support, and cushioning.

Medical intervention with custom orthopaedic shoes may be necessary if more extreme and diagnosed chronic conditions, whereas orthotic shoes may be helpful if you have sensitive feet, flat feet, or feet that are prone to soreness and aches.

Could you benefit from orthotics?

  • Do you have a hard time finding comfortable shoes?
  • Do you have wide feet?
  • Do you have a foot condition such as plantar fasciitis or flat feet?
  • Are you prone to pain in the toes, arch, or ankle?
  • Do you have bunions or callouses?
  • Are your feet sensitive to your activity levels?
  • Have you experienced pain in the knees or hips from misalignment?

If so, orthotic shoes may be beneficial for your lifestyle.

What can orthotics do?

Reduce Pain

Foot pain can be caused by strain, impact stress, and by not having enough or no support. Orthotic footwear helps to align the foot to a natural position to reduce muscle strain from an uncomfortable or unnatural walk or run gait. The muscles in our feet weaken over time, so it’s important to wear the right footwear and engage in exercise designed to strengthen foot muscles. Orthotics also cushion the feet and provide arch support to reduce impact stress that can cause injuries such as hairline fractures and Achilles tendinitis. If you experience pain in your feet, typically after walking or exercise, orthotic footwear may be beneficial for your feet.

Reduce Chances of Injury During Activity

During physical activity, running injuries and strain can occur in the feet after muscle use. This may alter the walk or jogging gait to an unnatural position as the body tried to compensate, leading to further injury. Supportive footwear that absorbs impact stress to the legs and feet can help reduce the likelihood of a strain injury. If you experience aches in your Achilles tendon, arch, or lower legs, these may be signs your activewear shoes are not providing adequate support. It may also indicate that your running posture can be improved, which is something orthotic shoes can help to realign with extended wear.

Aid In the Prevention of Future Foot Conditions

Providing optimum foot alignment, cushioning and support can act as a preventative measure even if you don’t yet have a foot condition but want to reduce the likelihood of developing one. Foot and leg pain are a common ailment in later years, and reduced mobility can have a negative effect on overall health and longevity. By pre-emptively planning the future heath-span of your feet, you may drastically alter your potential wellness later in life. If you find foot pain, strain, or soreness to be an infrequent experience, orthotic footwear could still be beneficial as a preventative measure for further foot health problems, whilst providing maximum comfort in the present.

Correct Posture and Walk Gait

Orthotic shoes are built to aid in the natural alignment and weight distribution of the foot. This means the walk gait, that affects strain, stress impact, and long-term foot function, is optimised. Posture can also affect upper legs, hips, and lower back, so pain in these areas may indicate an incorrect posture. Incorrect posture can be caused by compensating for pain in an isolated area of the foot or leg, muscle tension or weakness, or bad weight and force distribution. If you feel discomfort when walking it may be a symptom of bad posture or misalignment that orthotic shoes can help with.

How can Uufey Shoes be beneficial for your lifestyle?

Uufey shoes are designed with comfort in mind, with built-in orthotic features. Our footwear range includes features such as removable inserts, EVA midsole technology, orthotic footbed, wide fit, deep heel cups, and stability improving soles.

Three Zone Comfort is infused into each and every one of our shoes during the production process, offering you:

  • Stability: reduces muscle strain and helps you to maintain balance.
  • Arch Support: shock-absorbing arch supports are ideal for preventing and treating heal pain and plantar fasciitis.
  • Cushioning: extra support for ultimate comfort and durability.

For more information on how traditional shoe styles can cause strain to your feet, read our blog post here.

Woman holding love balloon
CategoriesFashion Footwear

Love Is In The Pair

The festive season is behind us and the next holiday is here! Holidays are a time to show your love to family and friends, but what about self-love? The importance of self-love cannot be overstated. By keeping yourself happy and healthy, you can live your most proactive life and share love with others. This Valentine’s Day, show yourself some self-love by treating yourself to a fantastic outfit that shows your best self, and with comfortable footwear to match.

Woman drinking glass of wineUufey Shoes are designed for style and comfort, with orthotic insoles and built-in stability. Whether you’re going on a romantic date this Valentine’s Day and need some shine in your step, or spending Valentine’s Day with your friends as Galentines and want to mark the day with a cute outfit, we have the perfect shoes for you.

Friends smiling with heart sunglasses

Shine Sandals

Shine is the highlight of any outfit. If your evening plans are on the fancier side, these sandals are the perfect choice for a luxe look. The 3cm heel gives you an added boost without the discomfort of high heels, and the tie fastening gives stability to walk with confidence. Pair with a white blouse and pink culottes for a stand-out outfit with romantic flair.

Shine orthotic sandals

Kene Chelsea Boots

Add some sparkle into your stride with Kene Chelsea, a full leather Chelsea boot with easy access side panel embedded with a touch of golden sparkle. The supportive low 2cm heel and comfy fur lining are perfect for sensitive feet. Try Kene for a casual glamour aesthetic this Valentine’s Day by pairing with black leather skinny jeans, a light blouse and some golden jewellery for added flair. Endlessly versatile, Kene can take you from all day Galentines celebrating, to a fancy evening dinner with that special someone, all in supreme comfort.

Kene leather chelsea boot

Sarah Zest Ankle Boots

If your Valentine’s Day this year is a more casual occasion, Sarah Zest Ankle Boots in Burgundy are a great way to add some romantic red to your attire. Sarah Zest’s stylish suede upper give this utility style boot a feminine edge whilst supporting foot alignment, and the 3cm block heel gives height and stability. This ankle boot will give you all-day comfort whatever your plans for February 14th. Style with slim blue jeans and a floral print blouse for the perfect look.

Sarah Zest ankle boots

Enjoy reading this content? Read on to find out the hottest trends for 2022.

woman wearing black high heels fashion
CategoriesHealth

Can High Heels Be Bad For Your Feet?

How Can High Heels Damage The Feet?

High heels may be beautiful, but can they be hiding a less than beautiful reality for your foot health? High heels give legs a slender and toned look through drastically altering the position of the foot. By balancing most of the weight on the ball of the foot, pain in this area can arise as well as a hardening of the skin and blistering. This can even cause a shortening of the Achilles tendon. Other problems caused by unnatural weight distribution are arch pain, as well as pain and cramping in the toes. 

As a secondary effect of an altered weight distribution of the foot, your walk gait may be altered when wearing heels to accommodate discomfort and help balance. This may go on to cause strain and stress to muscles in the ankles, legs and knees. Prolonged stress on areas of the foot can eventually lead to conditions such as bunions and hammertoes, and even arthritis in extreme cases. 


The Science Behind High Heels

woman feet on tip toes

High heels force the foot into a plantar flexed position, like when pushing the gas pedal of a car. This position is achieved through engaging the ankle joint and can over time cause stiffness of the Achilles tendon. When wearing high heels, muscles are engaged even in a non-moving stance position. This causes muscle strain and fatigue. 

Naturally, a foot in motion rolls from heel-to-toe in a back-to-front motion. When wearing heels however, the gait is altered and reduced in length, with weight and force unnaturally distributed, resulting in knee flexion as well as hip and lower back strain. This can cause a higher risk of knee osteoarthritis because the knees absorb shock over the natural foot motion distribution. 


How To Wear Heels Safely

Obviously, heels are not the best for your feet, but sometimes that’s not going to stop a person when heels are such a fashion staple. Here are some tips to prevent some of the described foot problems when wearing heels:

  • Limit your time and take a break. Taking a break between long periods of heel wearing can help ameliorate some of the compounding stress and tension. Try carrying an extra pair of shoes and switching out your heels throughout the day, or slipping them off when seated. 
  • Stretch. Try some stretches focusing on stretching the Achilles tendon. Facing a wall for support with knees slightly bent, stretch one leg backwards with both feet remaining flat on the floor until there is a stretch resistance in the tendon of the stretched leg.
  • Find the correct fit. Poor fitted heels will exasperate gait and strain problems. Make sure your shoes are as comfortable as possible and don’t allow the foot to slide when walking.
  • Add padding. Heels can cause pressure on the balls of the feet, added padding such as an insole could help keep pain at bay. Additionally, adding padding around common pressure areas such as the little toe and heel can alleviate some pressure that may negatively affect posture and gate. 

What Are The Alternatives To High Heels? 

Fashionable footwear doesn’t have to be uncomfortable. To keep your toes healthy, it’s best to wear supportive, well-fitted shoes, along with measuring your feet and wearing the right shoe size.

If you like to elongate your frame with heels, why not try an alternative such as platform shoes or block heels? Unlike traditional high heels, block heels don’t drastically alter the position of the foot, and sometimes the slight elevation of the heel can be beneficial for people who feel discomfort in flat shoes because of tendon or arch problems. 

Here at Uufey we provide comfortable, orthotic, fashionable footwear. Orthopaedic Footwear aims to correctly align the foot position and give the feet optimal comfort and can also help prevent foot conditions by supporting joints and muscles.

Included in our range is Shine Orthotic Sandal. With a raised heel, this sandal alternative gives added height whilst not compromising on comfort. Stilettos may be iconic, but you will always look your best when you feel your best. 

Shine Orthotic Sandals with Arch Support

Please note the content of our blog is not intended to substitute for professional medical diagnosis or advice. 

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