shoes, walking

[Guest guest]

I recently encountered greater and greater pain from my feet: Plantar

fascitis, tendonitis, muscular pain, leg and knee pain. Walking, even just

around the house, became almost impossible. Though my Reactive Arthritis is

mostly silent right now, my fibromyalgia still gives me tremendous problems.

I decided that my shoes might be part of the problem. Perhaps they were too

old, not supportive enough, not giving enough cushion, etc. I went to the

New Balance shoe store in town to check out their breakthrough shoe

technology. I was sold on the walking shoes and bought a pair. The first

pair wasn't fitted properly, so I had to go back the next day to get a

half-size smaller in length, but the same 2E width.

The difference in pain levels was remarkable from the first day I began

walking with the proper sized shoes. The support and the way the shoes held

my feet in place was remarkable compared to previous shoes. I have had few

instances of twisted ankles or failed balance since switching to the New

Balance shoes.

They have many different types of running, cross training, and walking shoes

with various levels of technology to fit you with as close to perfect pair

as you can get. The walking shoes I have include a 'roll-bar' that helps

the foot maintain proper walking form and decrease effort which also

decreases pain levels.

Yes, I still have pain, but the level has dropped off so much with a simple

change in shoes. It has also helped my lower back pain to lessen.

Just thought you should know that it isn't always your medication that

should change. It could be your shoes.

Ray Neal

[Guest guest]

New Balance are the best pair of walking shoes I have ever owned. I have

had three pair of them over the last five years. I get the wide with the

SL2 footbox. It gives me more room to move my feet and toes. I have broken

bones in both feet numerous times so they are not well-suited for any other

brand of shoes. It is either New Balance, soft-soled moccasins, or go bare

feet.

Sam

[Guest guest]

Hi Sam.....I go to a foot doctor here and I just got some New Balance

sneakers from him cause I had surgery on my left foot and that was in

October of last year and I'm still in chronic pain so my doctor decided to

order some sneakers for me and they fit great. My doctor said that

Medicare/Medicaid should cover the cost of the sneakers. I don't know how

much they cost but the looks of them it looks expensive. I hope your feet

improve with your new shoes.

Tammy Hutchins

[Guest guest]

Ray,

Thanks for the very good tip on New Balance shoes. I will have to

check them out since I'm due for a new pair very soon. I have a

flexible flat foot, I over-pronate, and my ankle bones don't meet

right, so I have to wear custom orthotics, and because of all of

this the insteps of my shoes break down very fast, so I have to buy

new tennies every 6 months max. My podiatrist echoed pretty much

what you've said....bad fitting shoes can be the root of a lot of

pain in the feet, knees, legs, and back. She explained how to find

a shoe that is right for my foot, and even gave me a tracing of my

foot to help guide me, as well as a " shopping guide " . Between New

Balance's " breakthrough technology " and my orthotics, I may be a

walking fool!

I know the pain of plantar fasciitis well. I had surgery in 1998 to

remove a heel spur and lengthen my plantar fascia. Horrible

experience...some of the nerves in the side of my foot and heel were

permanently damaged, and I never regained full feeling in some

areas. I had to go through 2 rounds of PT just to be able to walk

normally after that! I've had so many parts of my body repaired and

put back together by the age of 31, I'm hoping that they'll be good

to go for another 30. I figure it works that way for car parts, so

why not people? LOL!

Jen