Foot Solutions Stores Worldwide are collecting shoes on behalf of Soles4Souls for the victims of the recent earthquake in Haiti. We’re asking that you clean out your closets and donate  lightly worn shoes to a participating Foot Solutions near you.

“We are working aggressively with Soles4Souls to help our Haitian neighbors in this terrible disaster. I have been to this country and am well aware of the level of poverty that exists and the shortage of supplies that are difficult on a normal level and this is especially hard on this struggling country.  We want to do everything we can to help.” -Foot Solutions Founder and CEO Ray Margiano

All shoes collected will be shipped to Soles4Souls warehouse in Alabama for distribution to Haiti. These needs are urgent- please spread the word in efforts to put shoes on the feet of those impacted by the earthquake.  Thank you for your endless generosity and compassion.

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The article ‘Sole Survivors’ is a must read about the upcoming shoe trends of 2010- is there still a place for high heels? With every passing year, heels inched higher and higher until recently, we hit a tipping point.

The past decade has certainly brought us some fantastic shoe trends- everything from Manolo Blahnik to Jimmy Choo to the irresistible Christian Louboutin. When high heels topped the fashion trends, so did the not-so-glamorous corns, calluses, bunions, blisters, hammer toes and fallen arches.

The new year is the time for making resolutions- promising to live a healthier life and eliminating our bad habits.  2010 is the year for women to take a stand against the painful fashion statement and luckily, the fashion designers are one step ahead.  Look for the return of the kitten heel for spring 2010 shoe trends. Designers have found a way to make attractive styles in metallics, snakeskin and tinted plastic vinyls to make the kitten heels feel fun while still being functional.

But let me ask you… will you ever be ready to ditch your stilettos?  Personally, I have a few pair I’ll never let go of and it would require some intense fashion therapy if I had to toss them.  But in efforts to live a healthier 2010,  I have drastically reduced the amount of time I wear heels because I know the long-term damage they can cause, and its not pretty.  High heels are like junk food for the feet- you know its bad for you, but giving in every once and a while feels oh so good.  All in all, its encouraging to see fashion designers introduce a healthier option for our feet. Remember, promising to live a healthier 2010 means taking care of your feet too!

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Fact: Your children’s feet grow fastest during their first 4 to 5 years of life.  Suri Cruise may look cute playing dress-up in her heels, but she’s risking some long term damage if she wears them for hours at a time.  Cramped feet simply can not develop properly- that’s why its critical for parents to know when its time to change shoes.  Certified Pedorthist Greg Mills gives you guidelines to help protect your children’s feet from pain and long term damage:

The growth plates in children’s bones don’t finish closing until age 15-17 in boys and 13-15 in girls.  When overly stressed, these plates are more susceptible to injury.  Kids’ feet can very easily outgrow shoes in a single month during a growth spurt, you already know this, but what’s more important is to understand what you can do to protect your children’s feet and prevent foot pain.

Improperly fitted shoes can cause foot pain, but children don’t always know when their shoes are too small. Training kids to realize when shoes are too small can help, but parents should always double check.

Due to their endless energy, kids’ feet sweat….. A LOT! Many cheap shoes are made from synthetic materials that don’t breathe at all! The result- wet, stinky, unhealthy feet. Adding moisture wicking socks can prevent blisters and greatly reduce the risk of fungal foot problems. Plus kids love them.

However, kids are still developing their muscular-skeletal systems. Inserts also greatly improve comfort, balance, confidence and athletic performance, giving them an advantage. Unlike adults, custom made inserts are rarely needed for children.  Over the counter (OTC) styles work very well for most. Children’s feet out grow inserts just like shoes, so replacing them with OTC styles is more economical.  If your children have ever complained of pain, make sure to check the feet!

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Why do your feet throb at the end of the day? Why do those cute stilettos give you blisters after wearing them for just a few minutes?  I found this article on the 6 Ways Your Shoes are Hurting Your Feet and wanted to pass it on to help you understand just why those painful shoes are so…. painful. After reading this, it may be time to clean out your closet!

6 Reasons Your Shoes Are Painful

1. They’re Restrictive - By wearing shoes for fashion’s sake, your feet are prevented from moving freely.

2. They’re Too Tight - A seemingly obvious reason…but did you know 90% of Americans wear improperly fitted shoes?

3. They’re Too Stiff – Leather shoes often have a layer of synthetic material to make them more durable, making the shoes too stiff for our feet.

4. Some Shoes are Too High – How high is too high? Rule of thumb… if they hurt, don’t wear them!

5. On the Other Hand…Some Shoes are Too Flat - Those ballet flats may seem more comfortable than high heels, but the flimsier versions of these slip-ons don’t give your feet the protection they need. Typically, we’re on sidewalks and concrete, and we haven’t really evolved to be [walking] on this hard, flat environment. The flat shoe itself isn’t unhealthy for the foot, he adds, but many styles don’t provide enough cushioning for your weary soles.

6.  Some Shoes are Too Pointy – You might look sexy, but pointy shoes aren’t at all good for your feet, and are one of the leading causes of bunions!

Now that you’ve learned the secrets to avoiding painful shoes, take a look through your closet and put your shoes to the test.  You can read the entire article ‘6 Ways Your Shoes are Painful’ for a tip on shopping for healthy shoes.

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