Arch Frenemies
Do your shoes leave your feet aching after a long day or a grueling workout? There’s a great chance that you could be in need of proper fitting arch supports, to relieve your pain. Whether they are over-the-counter or custom made arch supports (orthotics), we have 5 rules you should follow to help make shoes a FRIEND not a FOE to your daily activities!
Make Room!
Always check to see if the insoles inside your shoes can be removed, before inserting new arch supports. Inserting arch supports without removing the insoles can “crowd” your shoe, making for a tight and uncomfortable fit.
Left Foot, Right Foot
Is there still something about the fit of your supports that is not quite right? Then you want to make sure that you have the correct arch support in the correct shoe. The solution? Label you supports LEFT and RIGHT to ensure you’re placing your inserts into the correct shoes.
Easy Does It
It is always a great idea to not go full throttle when prancing around with your new arch supports (esp. custom orthotics). Instead, start by wearing the inserts 1-2 hours, then increase by 1-2 hours each day. This gives your feet an opportunity to adjust to your new inserts, preventing further discomfort.
One Size Fits All (of your shoes)
On the hunt for a new pair of kicks? Don’t forget your arch supports! Inserting them into any new shoes of interest provides you with the best idea of whether those new shoes are truly the right fit.
No Fit, No Good
If you follow the rules above and continue to experience discomfort with your newfound inserts, do not hesitate to contact your podiatrist. They can answer questions, provide general supervision, and even work to correct arch supports that are problematic.
Putting your best FEET forward,
SH
When Things Get Hard, Rub It Off
Are your feet summer ready? Check out our contribution to the Daily Aha from YouBeauty!
Putting your best FEET forward,
SH
Easy On the Feet, Easy On the Eyes
Gift News Daily gives the lowdown on Southern Hospitality while at our most recent trade show at AmericasMart!
Putting your best FEET forward,
SH
Daily Aha!
Special thanks to YouBeauty for allowing us to contribute to their Daily Aha!
Putting your best FEET forward,
SH
Is It OK to Pop a Blister?
We along with YouBeauty answers the question: Is it ok to pop a blister?
Putting your best FEET forward,
SH
Foot Fungus Amongus
Our friends at Wake - The Foot Sanctuary & Shop lets us get the word out of the Foot Fungus Amongus....Check it out!!!
Crossfoot: 5 tips to finding the right shoes for crossfit
With CrossFit being the latest workout that is all the craze, do you have the right shoe gear to conquer your workout? Here are 5 tips to find the right shoes that will put the “fit” in CrossFit!
Lightweight
The key for any CrossFit workout is to allow your feet to perform in as close to a minimalistic natural state as possible. The rigors of CrossFit subjects your body to maximum physical exertion. There’s no need to carry anymore unnecessary weight on an already taxing workout. Remember, any shoe for CrossFit should yield the feeling and freedom of being shoeless while providing the comfort and protection of a proper fitting shoe.
CrossFit Activities of Interest: Running, Box jumping, Jump rope
Minimal Heel to Toe Drop
Your heel should not be in a raised position when sporting the ideal CrossFit kick. Having increased cushioning in heel- as opposed to the forefoot- can transfer too much weight towards the toes with any activities involving planting your feet firmly. Also, increased cushioning in the heel promotes premature heel strike impact when landing, giving way to increased pressures to the heel that can be detrimental long term. Instead, cushioning should be as consistant as possible from heel to toe. This allows for pressure and shock absorption to disperse evenly across your feet with activity.
CrossFit Activities of Interest: Any crossfit activity
Minimal Tread
It is always best to “tread lightly” when on lookout for the right shoes for CrossFit. Less tread on the outsole creates more stability, allowing you to stand firm. Shoes with more extensive treading can cause you to lose your footing which may lead to injury.
CrossFit Activities of Interest: Burpee, Squats, Lunges
Wide Toe Box
Our feet naturally expands outward (called splaying) with weightbearing or establishing a firm stable stance. That’s why you want to make sure to find the right shoes with a toe box that can accommodate for the expansion. But take care to not sport shoes that give too much room. Find shoes that are roomy enough for comfort, but snug enough to prevent side-to-side movement.
CrossFit Activities of Interest: Deadlifting, Kettlebell swinging, Tire flipping
Breathable
An intense crossfit workout is best tackled with shoes that are made with breathable- often mesh- material. As heat build-up mounts, mesh lining provides increased ventilation helping control sweating which can minimize problems such as chaffing, foot odor, slippage within the shoe, and the formation of blisters.
Crossfit Activities of Interest: Any crossfit activity
Check our Soul Searching Series and Get Sporty for more info on finding the right shoes for the right activity!
Putting your best FEET forward,
SH
Can I get athlete's foot from my yoga mat?
Southern Hospitality answers the question: Can I get athlete's foot from my yoga mat? Courtesy of YouBeauty!
Putting your best FEET forward,
SH
5 Ways to Keep Your Feet Infection-Free in Public Places
Whether you’ve made the trek off to college or have a knack for going barefoot in public facilities, there is no doubt that you will need to protect yourself from the dreaded staph infection. Not just any staph infection, but MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus). Staph infections are spread through skin-to-skin contact. However, MRSA is a form of bacteria that is resistant to common antibiotics used to treat other forms of staph infections. Contact with MRSA can range from just a simple pimple on the skin to a severely invasive infection that can lead to amputation. College dorms, gyms, locker rooms, public pools and hospitals are all common breeding grounds for MRSA. Here are 5 ideas to follow to keep your feet infection-free!
Protect Open Wounds: Any cuts, wounds, or breaks in the skin give easy access for bacteria to invade your body and cause an infection. The solution? Make sure these areas are securely covered to prevent being infected. It is also great as an added precaution to inspect your feet regularly depending on how frequent you share public facilities.
Wash Socks After Use: The warmth and moisture from your feet absorbed by your socks can allow bacteria to fester. You should never where the same pair of socks for consecutive workouts. Instead, wash them after working out and sport a fresh clean pair for each workout.
Don’t Share Personal Items: Sharing is NOT caring in the case of MRSA. Personal items such as towels, razors, shoes, or even socks can bring you in direct contact with the bacteria. Even if another person’s item may appear to be clean, don’t trust it! You run the risk of not truly finding out until it is too late.
Putting your best FEET forward,
SH
