Before you buy your next pair of shoes, check out these tips
One question that we get asked regularly is “how can I prevent getting varicose veins?” Although there is no way to fully avoid varicose veins, there are things we can do to help reduce the risk and alleviate the pain of vein disease. One of those things is wearing properly fitted footwear. Shoes that don't fit well, will reduce the amount of cardiovascular activity in your legs. Without healthy circulation, the valves in our blood vessels can fail. This may lead to unsightly, painful varicose veins.
Here are the 4 main things you should look for in a shoe to help alleviate vein disease:
- Flat soles
- Snug fit that hugs, but not squeezes the foot and ankle area
- Proper arch support for your foot's particular shape
- High overall comfort level
As mentioned, the main goal when selecting a good shoe is to promote healthy circulation. Consider shoes that have a lower heel (completely flat if possible.) According to the Journal Of Vascular Surgery, heels higher than 3.5 should be avoided for daily use. They significantly reduce muscle pump function throughout the feet and lower leg. If high heel shoes are necessary for an event, it's a great idea to bring a comfortable pair of shoes to change into as soon as possible.
You will also want to find shoes that create a slight sense of compression. If the shoe feels loose around the center portion and ankle area of your foot, skip to a better option. Shoes that feel floppy and loose can also create a possibility of ankle injury.
You'll also want to find a shoe that offers a good arch. This will reduce pain and give you the support you need to enjoy the time you spend on your feet. However, if you feel that you have an abnormally high or low arch (
this helpful test can show you how to check), we recommend working with a podiatrist to make sure that you have all the right information to make good buying decisions.
Finally, you'll want to select a piece of footwear that simply feels good to wear. Unless you have owned a particular pair of shoes before, we advise against purchasing shoes online. Spend a few minutes walking around the store to ensure a proper fit. Some shoes may fit differently depending on the unique shape of your foot. Don't rely on a wild guess to get the best fit.
If you have varicose veins, or think you may have a vein disease, speak with a specialist near you. For those in Alaska, our team of vein doctors offer free consultations to help answer any questions you might have.
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