Footwear Options for Comfort



Microwave Foot Warmers

I've always wondered why people don't smile more when they dance, and I think it may have to do with footwear. Maybe women don't smile because their feet hurt from wearing high heels, and men don't smile because the women aren't smiling.

A few weeks ago I slipped on a pair of low heel sandals to wear at a summer wedding and wondered how I was going to walk in them, let alone dance. A half hour later my feet became numb and I was able to make it through the ceremony and reception. It would have been more fun in comfortable shoes.

"High heels are bad for everyone's feet." (Bryan West, podiatric surgeon, Arthritis Today July-August 2011) Wearing high heels contributes to foot pain, arthritis, foot deformities, and injuries from falls. Lady Gaga demonstrated the latter at Heathrow Airport last week when she suddenly "took a nose dive," wearing her over-the-top high heels.

Kristin Borrink, The Shoe Whisperer, states that low heels "can produce the same problems as higher heels, just to a lesser degree." In her blog on fashionable footwear, she recommends shoes that offer support and comfort along with style. Today, there are so many wonderful options for stylish flat shoes. Check out her blog, Barking Dog Shoes.

After being on your feet all day, slip them into a pair of Foot Warmers, feel them relax and the pain melt away. A pair of Maine Warmers' Foot Warmers is like having your own foot spa. They'll rejuvenate your feet the natural way. You can even place feet upon a Back Warmer and experience similar results.

Note: Side effects may include comfort and relaxation.

Walking through Arthritis

An article in Arthritis Today, March-April 2011, encourages walking as exercise for those with arthritis in the feet. Finding the right shoes and a comfortable, appropriate stride will help make the exercise more beneficial with increased flexibilty and range of motion in toe joints. A mdeical professional recommends picking up a wash cloth with your toes to help loosen joints. A foot specialist may provide othrotics or address other foot difficulties to make walking more pleasurable and easy on you feet.

Keep moving is their advice. Be safe -- walk on level soft ground or in a shallow pool. The more you walk the better you will feel, even though it may take a few sessions to feel it.

Not mentioned in the article, but this might be helpful -- if you have arthritis in your feet, try using some Foot Warmers to stimulate blood flow and help flexibility before you go out for a walk. Or put your feet on top of a Back Warmer. It's more affordable and versatile. Check out Maine Warmers' Palm Packs to keep hands warm while walking.

Quit Smoking to Help Circulation and Prevent Buerger's Disease

According to the Mayo Clinic, smoking causes Buerger’s Disease, a condition that affects circulation in the legs and arms. This is a rare disease of the arteries and veins that is found in people who smoke tobacco products heavily -- one and a half packs a day or more. It can cause development of blood clots and can keep nutrients and oxygen from reaching the tips of fingers and toes, thus killing cells. Some people with this disease experience gangrenous areas that need to be amputated.


The cure is to prevent absorption of nicotine into the body. Avoiding smoking or chewing tobacco or taking in any other product with nicotine is essential to recover from this disease, according to the article.

Quitting smoking isn’t easy. But it is necessary to recover from this condition which is found mostly in the Middle East where there is a larger percentage of heavy smokers.

Heat can help stimulate circulation and help relax tense muscles for those who are trying to quit smoking. Nervousness and tension caused by nicotine withdrawal may be eased with the use of a microwave heating pad. Maine Warmers’ neck warmers and back warmers may help. Hand Warmers can help warm cold fingers for those who suffer from poor circulation.

Walk -- DON"T RUN -- in the Stiletto Challenge & Save your Feet!

I hope that the women who race in the Stiletto Challenge tonight at the Landing in Scarborough, ME will walk and not run. It would be too bad for any of the participants to injure a foot –- or both feet -- to raise money for Breast Cancer and Lift Up Ellie (for a little girl with a rare form of cancer). Why not make the donation and forget about running?

I read in today’s (May 20, 2010) issue of The Portland Press Herald, that not one man had signed up for the race.

It is because men think women look sexy in high heels that women wear them. I have never heard a foot doctor say, “Wear high heels -- they are good for your feet.” In fact, foot specialists will tell you many women suffer life-long problems with their feet from wearing high heels. Most foot injuries in women are caused by wearing high heels -- from sprains to broken bones (sometimes breaking an arm from a fall).

The damage caused by wearing high heels or shoes that are too tight can cause conditions called Hammertoe and mallet toe in which the toes are forced toward the front of the shoe. The Mayo Clinic article on Hammertoe and mallet toe explains that surgery may be needed to relieve the pain from these foot conditions. On top of that wearing high heels can contribute to the formation of bunions -- a condition causing pain and disfigured feet.

Avoid the lasting pain and associated medical costs due to foot injuries from wearing high heels or improperly fitting shoes. Ehow.com offers an article on HOW TO WEAR FLAT SHOES AND STILL LOOK SEXY, by Kristie Leong M.D.

If your feet are sore from walking (or racing) in high heel shoes, working on them all day, or from wearing poorly supported footwear, try soaking you feet in warm water with Epsom Salts for 5 – 10 minutes. Or use a pair of Foot Warmers, or put your feet on top of a heated Back Warmer from Maine Warmers. Let the warmth relax and soothe your tired tootsies.

If the Shoe Fits

Finding shoes that look nice, fit well, and protect the feet from injury takes time and thought. An article -- Correct Methods of Fitting Shoes -- in the New York Times, published on Sept. 6, 1914 (available through this link) still rings true. There is a similar, more recent article -- 10 Points of Proper Shoe Fit -- published by the American Orthopedic Foot & Ankle Society on their web site (last updated in 2008).

One's life style and activities is important to consider in finding the right shoes. Wearing flats can be as damaging to the feet as high heels if the shoes do not fit properly or do not have the proper support to match the activities in which they are worn. Check out the tips on finding shoes that fit well and help your feet to serve you well over your lifetime.

When your feet are tired from being on them all day -- even wearing proper fitting shoes -- try a foot soak in some Epsom salts and warm water. Take five mimutes to massage them. Or heat a pair of Foot Warmers, sit with your feet elevated, and let the warmth relax the muscles in your feet for twenty minutes. Maine Warmers sells microwave heating pads that help relax sore muscles, stimulate circulation, and aid in flexibility. Their Cozy Sheep and other products can be used as foot warmers and make fun, useful get well gifts.

Fashionable Flats

Women clothing designers should offer fashions that look great with flat shoes. It takes a lot of energy to cover the pain of uncomfortable shoes -- energy better spent on having fun. Women who smile genuinely are more attractive.

Ehow.com offers an article on HOW TO WEAR FLAT SHOES AND STILL LOOK SEXY, by Kristie Leong M.D.

The damage caused by wearing high heels or shoes that are too tight can cause conditions called Hammertoe and mallet toe in which the toes are forced toward the front of the shoe. The Mayo Clinic article on Hammertoe and mallet toe explains that surgery may be needed to relieve the pain from these foot conditions.

When women stop wearing high heels, fashion designers will design flat shoes that help women enjoy themselves. Women should not have to endure social and work situations in pain to look fashionable. Plus women will avoid the lasting pain and associated medical costs due to foot injuries from wearing uncomfortable shoes.

If you have sore tired feet from working on them all day try a warm soak or a pair of Foot Warmers from Maine Warmers. Or place the feet on top of a Back Warmer.

Injury to the Sesamoid Bones

Inflammation of the Sesamoid bones in the foot can be caused by repetitive motion or pressure from activities like dancing or running -- where ball of the foot pushes off in order to propel the person forward.

The two small Sesamoid bones in each foot are unlike other bones in the body which are connected at joints. The Sesamoids are embedded in muscle tissue and connected to tendons. They are located on the underside of the foot toward the big toe. When the balls of the feet make contact with the ground pressure is put on these bones.

Pain, due to overuse or lack of fatty tissue that cushions the impact, usually develops gradually. There aren’t usually any outward signs of injury.

Treatment may involve rest, wearing metatarsal foot pads, using an ice pack, and taking some Ibuprofen or other non-steroidal ant-inflammatory drugs. Refraining from wearing high heels or other shoes that put pressure on the ball of the foot is recommended.

For more information on this topic visit Foot.com or the Mayo Clinic.

For gentle ice packs to help reduce swelling and ease pain go to Maine Warmers. They carry a variety of reusable ice packs including special “foot warmers” that may be frozen and used for cold therapy. All of their products may be microwaved for heat. The quality of their products and their durability make them an excellent value. Neck Warmers can also be used to wrap around feet to help you relax after being on them all day.