Back to School Shoe Shopping Part 4

When the final weeks of a care-free summer vacation come to a close, the sounds of school bells, slamming locker doors, and students clamoring into classrooms are heard loud and clear once again. But before each new school year begins, parents eagerly seek out a wide array of school supplies and stlish new fashions for their children. One of the most important purchases on any parent's back-to-school shopping list is a pair of new shoes. For many parents, back-to-school shoe shopping may seem easier than a pop-quiz in gym class- but several important factor should be considered:

*Children's feet change with age. Shoe and sock sizes may change every few months as a child's feet grow.

*Shoes that don't fit properly can aggravate the feet. Always measure a child's feet before buying shoes, and watch for signs of irritation.

*Never hand down footwear. Just because a shoe size fits one child comfortably doesn't mean it will fit another the same way. Also sharing shoes can spread fungi like athlete's foot and nail fungus.

*Examine the heels. Children may wear through the heels of shoes quicker than outgrowing shoes themselves. Uneven heel wear can indicate a foot problem that should be checked by a podiatrist.

*Take your child shoe shopping. Every shoe fits differently. Lettinga child have a say in the shoe buying process promotes healthy foot habits down the road.

*Always buy for the larger foot. Feet are seldom precisely the same size.

*Buy shoes that do not need a break in period. Shoes should be comfortable immediately. Also make sure to have your child try on shoes with socks or tights, if that's how they'll be worn.

Dr. Tina A. Boucher, DPM
Central Connecticut Foot Care, LLC
Podiatrist Meriden CT
http://www.centralctfootcare.com/
Order your free copy of our books "Why Do My Feet Hurt?" and "Heal My Heel!" today! Copies will be sent to Connecticut residents only.

Back-to-School Shoe Shopping Part 3

Fall is here and the kids are heading back to school. And of course, everyone wants new shoes. While the latest styles may be what your kids are screaming for, you may want to remember some important tips before letting fashion take a front seat to practicality and safety.
Kids come in all shapes and sizes and so too do their shoes. Shop at stores with experienced sales people that feature a wide selection of footwear styles, sizes, and widths. Do not assume a given size will fit the same for different brands of shoes. Avoid man-made materials (like rubber and plastic) because they limit breathability. Hand-me-down clothes are great- but not shoes. Once you've purchased those new shoes, remember to check them every several months, since kids' feet grow rapidly.
While flip flops are all the rage for the beach and the pool, they can create problems in crowded school hallways and getting on and off the school bus. While it may not be easy to coax your kids out of flip flops for school, its safer for them to wear a shoe with more support. Your podiatrist can recommend some great options for teenagers that may fit the bill in the fashion area while still providing support and comfort throughout the day.
If your children will be participating in sports this fall, send them onto the field or the court with properly fitted shoes that are designed for that specific sport. Basketball shoes, for example, are designed for quick stops and starts, and ankle support, while a football cleat needs to serve an entirely different purpose. Let the shoe fit the sport and try to get help when choosing shoes for each sport.

Dr. Tina A. Boucher, DPM
Central Connecticut Foot Care, LLC
Podiatrist Meriden CT
http://www.centralctfootcare.com
Order your free copy of our books "Why Do My Feet Hurt?" and "Heal My Heel!" today! Copies will be sent to Connecticut residents only.

Back-to-School Shoe Shopping Part 2

This video was produced by the American Podiatric Medical Association and is an excellent how-to guide on selecting the proper footwear for your children this back-to-school season.

Dr. Tina A. Boucher, DPM
Central Connecticut Foot Care, LLC
Podiatrist Meriden CT
http://www.centralctfootcare.com/
Order your free copy of our books "Why Do My Feet Hurt?" and "Heal My Heel!" today! Copies will be sent to Connecticut residents only.

Back to School Shoe Shopping Part 1

As parents and children begin the annual hunt for deals on back-to-school items, shopping for healthy shoes should top the "must-buy" list for more important reasons than just a fashionable new look. According to the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA), well-fitting shoes not only reduce the incidence of foot and ankle injuries in kids, but also encourage physical activity, helping to decrease the likelihood of childhood obesity.
Your podiatrist will tell you that if your child's feet hurt, he or she will be far less likely to participate in outdoor sports and other activities that keep him or her moving and physically fit. With childhood obesity considered an epidemic today, it is vital that parent take just a few moments during this busy back-to-school season to select a shoe that provides adequate support and fits properly. It is one of the easiest ways to keep your child pain-free and healthy.
Shopping for healthy shoes, however, can be a daunting task without knowing what to look for- but the following APMA tips can make your back-to-school purchases easy, smart, and safe.

*Before buying a shoe perform the "1, 2, 3 Test":  First, squeeze the back of a shoe's heel and ensure that it does not collapse. Second, grab the front (toe box) of the shoe and make sure that the shoe bends where the child's toes would naturally bend in the shoe. Third, grab the shoe at both ends and try to gently twist. Shoes should never twist in the middle and should be rigid. If a shoe fails any of these three steps, don't buy it.

*Look for the APMA's Seal of Acceptance. Many products, including select children's footwear models made by Pediped, Reebok, and Tsukihoski, have been awarded the APMA's Seal of Acceptance for demonstrating proper foot health. Look for the APMA Seal on product packaging or a manufacturer's website.
*Never hand down footwear. Sharing shoes can spread and encourage the growth of fungus and bacteria such as athlete's foot, and regardless of shoe size, shoes can fit every child differently.
*Have a child's foot professionally measured regularly.  Most shoe stores will be happy to professionally measure a child's foot, or your podiatrist can measure you child's foot during a foot health check-up to ensure proper fit. Also, measure for proper length from toes to the tip of shoes to prevent irritation and injury.
*No "break-in" period. Your child's shoes should be comfortable to wear immediately and should not require a break-in period for comfort.

Dr. Tina A. Boucher, DPM
Central Connecticut Foot Care, LLC
Podiatrist Meriden CT
http://www.centralctfootcare.com/
Order your free copy of our books "Why Do My Feet Hurt?" and "Heal My Heel!" today! Copies will be sent to Connecticut residents only.

Right Shoe for the Right Sport

April is Foot Health Awareness Month and the American Podiatric Medical Association has teamed up with First Lady Michelle Obama's campaign, "Let's Move" to shine the spotlight on childhood obesity and the importance of keeping children active and healthy. This new campaign launched by APMA is called "Today's Podiatrist Keeps America Moving". Sports and physical activities are an excellent way for children to stay active and healthy. Check out this video from APMA:

One of the tip sheets APMA has provided is aimed at helping parents pick out the right shoe for their child's sport. Selecting the proper shoe for the sport goes above and beyond just heading to the athletics section of the shoe store. To help your child free from serious foot and ankle injuries purchase a shoe that fits not only their foot but the activity as well.

Basketball
This is often the first organized sport children will get involved in and it's important to start them off with the right shoe that helps them perfect their basketball handling skills and prevents injuries.
A basketball shoe should:
*Have a thick, stiff sole that helps give support while running and landing from jumps to the basket.
*Incorporate high ankle construction that supports the ankle during quick changes in direction.
*Have the strongest support on either side of the ankle.

Cleats

Outdoor sports like baseball, softball, soccer, football, and lacrosse keep children's feet moving. This type of footwear should help prevent tripping and falling.

A shoe with cleats should:

*Fit snugly but comfortably on a child's foot- about one thumb width or less from the toe to the end of the shoe. Oversized soccer shoes can affect balance and cause blisters.
*Feature a rubber sole, to keep prevent slipping and injury, and a leather upper material.
*Cleats on the sole should be regulation length.

Tennis

Court shoes for tennis and raquetball may look like any other athletic sneaker, but it's what's on the inside that makes the difference on a child's feet.

A tennis shoe should:
*Support both sides of the foot, due to the quick lateral movements and weight shifts in court sports.
*Provide a flexible sole for fast changes of direction.
Running
Running shoes come in several different styles that support feet with different arch types.
A running shoe should:

*Provide maximum shock absorption to help young runners avoid ailments such as shin splints and knee pain.

*Control the way a child's heel strikes the ground, so the rest of hte foot can fall correctly.

*Fit your child's specific arch type. To determine arch type, see a podiatrist.
For a list of sports-related footwear with APMA's Seal of Acceptance, visit: http://www.apma.org/seal and click on Seal of Acceptance and then on Children's Foot Products.
Dr. Tina A. Boucher, DPM
Central Connecticut Foot Care, LLC
Podiatrist Meriden CT
http://www.centralctfootcare.com

Avoid Kid's Foot Problems This Back-to-School

Before heading back-to-school shopping with your children this fall, you should follow these tips in purchasing shoes that will last and fit your child's foot.

Your child's foot can grow up to two sizes in six months, so you need to account for growth during that time period. That does not mean that you should buy shoes that are overly big, as this can cause the foot to slide forward, and cause excessive pressure on the toes. A good fit is about a finger's width from the end of the shoe to the tip of the big toe.

Tight shoes can cause blisters, corns, and callouses on your child's toes, blisters on the back of their heels or worse, ingrown toenails, which can become infected. Signs of infection from ingrown toenails include pain, redness or fluid draining from the area. If you notice any of these symptoms, you should make an appointment with your podiatrist, who can perform an in-office procedure to remove the infected nail.

Shoes wear out over time and lose their shock absorption, so new and old shoes need to be inspected for proper cushioning and arch support. Replace any old shoes with wear and tear around the edges of the sole. When buying shoes, check to see that the toe box flexes easily and the shoe does not bend in the middle of the sole.

Worn-out shoes elevate the risk of heel pain, Achilles tendonitis, which can be diagnosed in children, as well as ankle sprains and fractures.

Children with flat feet need shoes with a wide toebox, maximum arch support and shock absorption. The best shoes to purchase are oxford, lace-up shoes that have enough depth for an orthotic insert, if necessary. Converse sneaker, flip-flops, Uggs, and ballet flats are all shoes that should never be worn by children.

Dr. Tina A. Boucher, DPM

Central Connecticut Foot Care, LLC

Meriden CT Podiatrist

http://www.centralctfootcare.com/
Order your free copy of our books "Why Do My Feet Hurt?" and "Heal My Heel!" today!