The Right Shoe with Arch Supports Prevents Foot Problems

You’re exercising again, and that’s a good thing. But along with the exercise comes foot or shin pain — and that’s definitely not so good. Pain from wearing worn out or poorly fitting shoes can sidetrack even the best intentions of getting in shape.
That’s why having a properly fitted shoe is so important. It is also why George Paris, the owner of Foot Solutions in Fremont, is much more than a shoe salesman, and his store no ordinary shoe store.

As a certified pedorthist (CPED), he has been trained to help people get properly fitted shoes for their feet — shoes that won’t cause pain while exercising, that also take into account any other foot problems they may have. At Foot Solutions, Paris ensures that people purchase shoes with the best fit possible.

Paris says his store is different from a typical shoe store, because at Foot Solutions, close attention is paid to the customer’s specific foot needs. “We fit them properly. Feet change; they’re not constant. And as you age, your feet change, too,” he notes. “And most shoes in regular shoe stores are mediums. But not everyone is a medium.”

Even the relative height of a person’s arch can affect their shoe’s fit, Paris says. “Everybody has different feet. There’s a medium foot, a flat foot, and a high arch foot. There are variations in between, of course, but those are the three standards,” Paris adds.

In addition, Foot Solutions has shoes for specific foot conditions, such as a tendency to turn the foot inward or outward, which shoes can help correct. “There are specific motion control shoes that can control these motions,” Paris explains. “That, in turn, is great for the whole body.”

Conversely, Paris says an ill-fitting shoe, or one that fails to correct common foot problems, can actually make exercising difficult — even painful. In addition to the feet hurting, people may experience knee pain, shin splints, or even back pain due to shoes that don’t support the feet well.

“There are people who are working out in the wrong shoe, and it hurts, so they stop, because they don’t want to deal with the pain. The right shoe makes a big difference.”

While some people may sense their shoes don’t fit properly, Paris says adding arch supports to the shoes rarely fixes the problem. “Even with arch supports, if you don’t have the right shoes, it won’t matter. The inserts can’t be much help if the shoe isn’t right to begin with.”

By contrast, Paris notes, “We fit the customer uniquely, based on the shape of their feet and what they are using the shoes for.” Workng with podiatrists and other medical professionals, Paris and his trained staff ensure that the customer buys a shoe right for their feet and for the activity. “We also do custom orthotics and arch supports, to provide the customer with the best fit possible.”

The best fit possible — so you start exercising with the best foot forward, so to speak.