Some people might believe that only women’s shoes can cause foot pain, but many men can attest to the contrary. In fact, ill-fitting men’s shoes can be just as bad as or even worse than high heels! Do your feet feel sore and tired during the day? Your shoes might be the cause of your discomfort.
Men’s dress shoes are usually the biggest culprit of foot pain, since they tend to have very narrow toe boxes which put excessive pressure on the toes and force them into an unnatural position; they also usually lack proper impact relief and absorption. These are the reasons why most men find it uncomfortable to wear dress shoes for extended periods of time. In the long term, they can cause bunions, hammertoes, calluses, and neuromas, amongst other foot health issues.
Poorly constructed men’s sandals and sneakers can also cause foot pain, since they don’t offer the support that is necessary for your feet. Cheaply constructed running shoes and sandals tend to lack proper arch support and shock absorption materials. Do your feet hurt when you are barefoot or while wearing sandals? This could be a sign that your shoes are starting to cause issues which could worsen into bunions, plantar fasciitis, neuromas, and pain in your knees and hips.
Brent Goddard – Podiatrist, discusses treatment options for Metatarsalgia and Morton’s Neuroma
The good news is that you can prevent these issues by practicing simple foot strengthening exercises. These exercises are extremely simple, and they won’t interfere with your daily activities; they’ll only take a few minutes and you can practice them while performing other duties!