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    What Shoes Are REALLY Doing to Our Bodies

    By | Fashion – Tue, Mar 5, 2013 6:30 PM EST

    Photo by: Illustrated by Zhang Qingyun
    The Ballet Flat - There's a reason why flats are so popular. They offer basic support, more balance and less strain on the lower leg. For everyday use, they're a... more 
    Photo by: Illustrated by Zhang Qingyun
    The Ballet Flat - There's a reason why flats are so popular. They offer basic support, more balance and less strain on the lower leg. For everyday use, they're a fairly safe bet, but there may be a downside to your "sensible" shoes. As Dr. Novella explains, devoted heel lovers can actually feel uncomfortable when they suddenly slip into flats all day. "People who are used to heels can experience plantar fasciitis or strain of the band, which supports the arch," he said. And, because of the shape of the shoe, toe movement may be restricted, causing pressure on the sides of the foot and eventually could lead to bunions.

    One solution is to choose a wide toe-box flat that will prevent any toe crunching, or simply being more aware of toe restraint. A few cushioned flats to throw on whenever your don't need to wear something fancy can certainly help, as well. less 
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    Tue, Mar 5, 2013 6:32 PM EST
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    By Gina Marinelli, Refinery29



    Never has the phrase "beauty is pain" been more true than after a day in a pair of to-die-for shoes that leave you rubbing your arches and reaching for the epsom salt. And, while achy soles could lead you to sit out a few dances, there are also some serious, life-long risks at stake when we over abuse our feet.



    We are not in any position to rain on your shoe parade (nor would we ever want to!). And if we said we'd ditch our pumps and platforms upon learning the not-so-pretty reality about our favorite footwear, well, that be a gross exaggeration. But nonetheless, knowledge, like the right pair of shoes, is power. Therefore, we turned to two of our trusted sources Dr. Thomas Novella, D.P.M., and Jim Wharton, musculoskeletal therapist, for answers.



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    These experts broke down the six basic styles we all love to wear and filled us in on what exactly our shoes are doing to our bodies - the immediate effects as well as the challenges that may arise after extended use. They gave us a complete explanation about what exactly happens when we slide into our favorite pairs, and more importantly, how we can reclaim and preserve the health of our feet so, hopefully, we never have to sit out another dance again.



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