Incredibly, three-quarters of all people in the United States will suffer through a foot health condition at least once. Both running and walking can be treacherous simply from the standpoint of weight. When walking, the amount of pressure on your feet is often more than your full body weight; when running, that pressure may be 3-4 times your weight. It is four times as likely that a woman will experience foot issues – largely attributable to high heels. To zero in on that issue of footwear, one typical mistake that people make is walking in running shoes, so correcting that issue can be a simple way to prevent injury and decrease current pain. Let’s look at a couple of the main ways walking and running shoes are different – cushioning and flexibility.
Cushioning
A walking shoe will usually have more cushioning, particularly in its heel. The impact of walking is lower, but the time during which your foot is on the ground is longer. That padding within walking shoes counteracts the impact to prevent pain and ward off injury over the weeks and months that they are used. The movement of the foot during a walk is similar to a rocking chair. The body weight of the walker rolls from heel to ball to toe. Beyond the heel, it is also crucial to have strong cushioning in the arch area, where the impact is most substantial. The padding should be a point of focus throughout if you want to prevent injury and alleviate chronic pain symptoms. If running shoes are used instead of walking shoes for walking, the lack of padding can give rise to Achilles tendinitis, plantar fasciitis, stress fractures, and other impact conditions.
Flexibility
Beyond the issue of the padding, you also want to think about flexibility. A shoe should be able to adapt to the wearer, especially in the ball area, so that the foot can easily complete its natural motion. It is fundamentally important that the shoe be able to bend if you want to be able to walk in a healthy way and prevent pain.
Conclusion
Are you suffering from a chronic foot pain condition? If that is the case, changing your footwear may not be enough for a full recovery. You may require professional help.
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