Effective Reasons How Shoes Can Protect Your Feet

DRAFT

Your feet have many working areas: muscles, joints, bones, connective tissues, tendons, and nerves that need to work togetherso they can function properly. In addition to receiving our weight and taking us to our desired destination, our feet also influence the performance of our hips and glutes. It is just right to wear protective shoes to prevent possible foot injuries and infections.

Many kinds of shoes are manufactured to make certain tasks faster and safer. There are shoes made for sports, work, and treating injuries. The right pair of shoes provides numerous benefits. Here are the effective reasons how shoes can protect your feet.

 

• Protection from Harmful Microorganisms

Shoes protect our feet from harmful bacteria, virus, and fungi that may be present on the ground. During the early 1900s, there was an epidemic of hookworms that affected thousands of people. Lack of foot protection and improper sanitary facilities contributed to the governmental issue (1).

While hookworm epidemic is no longer a big problem today, proper footwear is still the best way to lower the chances of developing foot infections and parasitic diseases. Other foot conditions, like corns, bunions, and Charcot foot can also be relieved with proper shoes.

2.  Prevent Trips, Slips, and Falls

Accidents can happen in any workplace and may cause not only foot injury but also bone fracture. Companies can take steps such as installing anti-slip floor tape and implementing housekeeping measures to lower the risk of these accidents. Proper shoes also provide additional protection against trips, falls and slips.

Foot conditions like plantar fasciitis, metatarsalgia and Achilles tendonitis can also be relieved with orthotic footwear. They can provide you with a better grip on things and also improve your posture over time.

3.  Prevent Fatigue

For workers who are on their feet all day, fatigue can be a huge problem. Muscles in the legs, back, feet and other parts of the body grow tired. The condition can be aggravated by wearing inappropriate footwear. This greatly affects the performance and alertness of employees.

To prevent fatigue and exhausted muscles, it is important that you use proper footwear according to the task and workplace.Look for shoes that are lightweight and shock absorbing to avoid over fatigue (2).

4. Support, Stability, and Comfort

There are different types of foot arches: low arch/flat feet, medium arch, and high arch. Each type requires enough level of arch support. Properly fitting shoes can also assist in aligning your feet, ankles, knees and back to improve your posture. Without supportive shoes, unnecessary stress or impact on certain areas of your feet and knees may occur. This can result in back, foot and knee pain.

You can reduce the risk of foot injuries by wearing shoes that offer additional padding, arch and heel support.

5.  Protect from Punctures

Aside from harmful bacteria, fungi, and viruses, shoes also protect our feet from sharp objects. Shoes that provide the best protection are those made with thick materials and heavy-duty soles. This is important, especially when working at construction sites and factories as a soft-soled shoe may not give enough protection from punctures.

Even walking along the street requires thick and well-padded soles. You may be able to walk on grass and other softer surfaces, but there can be rocks, glass and other items that may cause injuries.

Final Word

Shoes secure our feet from many things, such as sharp objects, harmful bacteria, fungi and viruses. Choosing the right pair can help to protect you against common injuries associated with your work or daily routine. For instance, exercise or sports shoes can enhance your performance as you can switch directions faster. Nursing shows give comfort to nurses who need to run around for long hours.

Do not buy shoes that feel tight and expect them to stretch after a few uses. Walk in the shoes so you can be certain that they feel right and comfortable.

Sources:

1. Hookworms “What’s Eating You, Lazybones?” Viewed at: http://www.ncpedia.org/history/health/hookworms
2. Why Is It Important to Wear Proper Shoes While Working Out? Viewed at: http://www.livestrong.com/article/297024-why-is-it-important-to-wear-proper-shoes-while-working-out/

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