A stylish pair of top designer shoes is one of the most sought-after items in a woman’s closet. Consequently, heels have become a stand-alone fashion statement on their own. Unfortunately, these styles of shoes can cause a myriad of conditions in the precious feet. Among them: metatarsalgia, hammertoes, bunions, and arch support conditions. Not surprisingly, the University of Maryland reported that tight shoes, especially those with a lifted heel, can both irritate and cause foot and toe conditions. Men can also experience the dangers of tight shoes. Ill-fitting boots for working or shoes worn to the office can be of particular concern. For both men and women, physical activities and sports can be a main factor in foot discomfort.

Why Poorly-Fitting Shoes Can Cause Ball-of-foot Pain

High-heeled shoes cause your body weight to be pushed forward unnaturally. This causes more pressure onto the front of the foot rather than equally distributing the weight of the body over the whole foot. Inadequate cushioning in shoes, such as heels, can be a major factor in painful foot conditions. Muscles and fat in the pads of the feet, including the heels and ball of the foot, also help cushion the foot. But the foot cannot accomplish this alone. Shoe cushioning and arch support help to add to the foot’s natural ability to guard against injury during activities like running and jumping. Be sure to wear proper shoes with adequate cushioning and arch support.

Tight shoes are another key cause of painful feet for men and women. In females, shoes with toe areas that are narrow or that squeeze the toes together, are the causes for most foot discomfort experienced. High heels also cause conditions , since they fail to give feet adequate arch support, another main factor in painful foot conditions. For men, hard, flat work shoes can present their own set of of problems. Simply put, arch support is missing in these types of shoes, so they are not good choices for daily-use footwear. As reported by the Mayo Clinic, bad shoe selection can bring on the occurrence of fallen arches, especially during repeated physical strain on the feet such as in athletic activity or lifting heavy things.

How Orthotics Can Treat Ball-of-foot Pain and Improve Arch Support

An effective solution to relieving ball of foot pain and poor arch support is through the use of orthotic inserts. These are different from the inserts found at the local store. They are made for any style of footwear, even high-heeled shoes. They provide the vital cushion and support to feet so they can perform optimally and stay pain free.

An attractive pair of top designer shoes is one of the most desired items in a woman’s wardrobe. Consequently, high-heeled shoes have turned into a stand-alone way of showing our fashion sense. Unfortunately, these styles of shoes can cause an array of issues to our feet. Common ones are metatarsalgia, hammertoes, bunions, and foot arch support issues. As expected, the University of Maryland discovered that ill-fitting shoes, especially those with a heightened heel, can both aggravate and be the cause of foot and toe issues. Men can also experience the dangers of ill-fitting shoes. Ill-fitting boots for working or shoes worn to the office can be of particular concern For both genders, athletic activities can be a major contributor to foot pain.

How Ball Of Foot Pain Can Come From Your Shoes

High heels cause the foot to be pushed forward and onto the ball of the foot. This shifts too much force on the ball of the foot instead of equally spreading the body’s weight throughout the full foot. A combination of bad cushioning and excessive pressure can cause major foot discomfort. Muscles and fat in the pads of the feet, including the heels and ball of the foot, also help cushion the foot. But the foot can’t accomplish this alone. Cushioning and arch support in the shoes help to re-balance weight and absorb the energy of activities such as walking, running, jumping, and heavy lifting. Therefore, make sure to use shoes that have proper cushioning and foot arch support that also fit well

Ill-fitting shoes are another key cause of painful feet for males and females. In females, shoes that are too small or narrow, are the causes for most foot discomfort experienced. High-heeled shoes also cause issues because they do not provide the foot with adequate arch support, another main factor in painful foot conditions. For guys, stiff working shoes can bring on definite sets of challenges. Simply put, foot arch support is missing in these types of shoes, so they are not good choices for daily footwear. As reported by the Mayo Clinic, bad shoe selection can bring on the occurrence of fallen arches, especially during athletic activities or when lifting heavy objects.

How Arch Support Insoles Can Treat Ball Of Foot Pain and Improve Arch Support

An effective fix to relieving metatarsalgia and poor foot arch support is through the use of orthotics. These inserts are specially-made for certain foot weaknesses and cannot be bought in your local store. They are made for any style of footwear, even high-heeled shoes. They give proper alignment and cushion for feet so they can perform optimally and stay free of pain.

A neuroma is identified by a noncancerous growth of nerve tissue that is capable of growing in any part of the body. Mortons Neuroma is a condition in which compression occurs to the nerve located between the third and fourth metatarsal bones in the foot, causing hardening of this nerve tissue. As the nerve is compressed, symptoms such as numbness and tingling of the toes start to occur. These symptoms tend to become more evident when there is weight placed on the ball of the foot, producing a noticeable amount of pain.

A Trigger for Mortons Neuroma

Causes of Mortons Neuroma are not unequivocally clear, but anything that squeezes this nerve can result in the thickening of this tissue. Wearing high-heeled shoes that can constrict the toes can be a cause of Mortons Neuroma. Also, having flat feet can cause the metatarsals to lower, which creates pressure on this nerve. Other causes can be irritation of the nerve or injury, which all can cause the thickening of the tissue.

Triggers for Metatarsal Pain

Metatarsal pain is another foot condition that presents itself as pain in the this area. This problem is common among women who wear high heels, or people who wear shoes with no cushion or arch support. A weakened foot structure can cause the bones in the foot to drop. We can experience pain when we wear shoes that do not provide the proper support and cushion. Also, people that suffer from over-pronation can experience metatarsal pain in the ball of their feet. A condition called over-pronation occurs when the ankles tend to roll inward and can lead to a painful arch.

How to Identify and Relieve Mortons Neuroma

To properly treat this condition, one must get a proper diagnosis. A podiatrist will tend to examine the foot by pressing on the area of pain, squeezing the toes and pressing into the space between the third and fourth toes. In some cases, he or she may be able to feel the neuroma. The doctor may also try pushing on the painful area and squeezing the entire foot at the same time to elicit a clicking noise, which is called Mulder’s sign. If the doctor cannot verify a neuroma, he or she can use other tools such as an x-ray to discard the possibility of any broken bones. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) allows physicians to clearly diagnose a neuroma.

Treatments for Morton’s Neuroma can include several options, from resting the foot to surgery. In many cases the doctor will try the most conservative treatments first. These include resting the feet, wearing more comfortable shoes and trying arch support insoles to improve arch support. Orthotic arch supports also help distribute your weight more evenly over the entire foot, placing less pressure on the ball of the foot. In many cases you will see an improvement by using a combination of these conservative treatments. In severe cases, where these options are not helpful, your doctor may prescribe injections to attempt to decrease the size of the neuroma. In extreme situations, surgery may be the only feasible option.

Taking care of our feet is an extremely important factor in our overall health and well-being. If you suffer from intense foot pain, it is recommended to have a physician examine your feet as soon as possible in order to determine the cause.