Footwear and Your Health: Are Your Shoes Causing You Pain?

Your shoes do more than cover your feet. They affect how you move, stand, and absorb impact and that can have a knock-on effect on the rest of your body. If you regularly have pain in your feet, legs, or back, or find yourself dealing with hard skin, ingrown toenails or corns, your footwear could be part of the problem.

The link between shoes and foot problems

Poorly fitting shoes can cause more than just discomfort. Over time, they can lead to long-term issues like:

• Ingrown toenails, from pressure at the front or sides of the shoe
• Hard skin or callus, often from rubbing or pressure in the wrong areas
• Corns, from repeated friction or tight spots
• Heel pain, from lack of cushioning or support
• Arch or ankle pain, if your shoes don’t match your foot shape or activity level

Shoes that look fine on the outside can still be part of the problem if they don’t fit well or suit your foot type. And problems caused by footwear often build up gradually, so you might not connect the dots straight away.

Common footwear mistakes

You don’t need to be in high heels for your shoes to cause issues. Here are some everyday problems we see:

• Worn out trainers – If the sole has gone flat or uneven, it won’t give the support or cushioning your body needs.
• Flat shoes with no support – Ballet flats, canvas shoes and flip-flops often offer little structure and can lead to foot fatigue or pain.
• Fashion over function – Pointed shoes or those with very narrow toe boxes can squeeze your toes and cause pressure areas.
• Wrong fit – Shoes that are too tight or too loose can change your walking pattern, leading to rubbing and skin problems.

What to look for in a better shoe

You don’t need fancy shoes, just ones that suit your foot shape and your lifestyle. Key things to check:

• Fit – Your toes should have room to move, your heel should stay in place, and there should be no rubbing or pinching.
• Support – Look for shoes that support the arch and hold your heel firmly.
• Cushioning – A little shock absorption under the heel and ball of the foot can make a big difference.
• Materials – Softer linings and breathable fabrics reduce sweating and friction.

When to get professional help

If you’re getting repeat problems with your feet, shoes could be part of the reason. At Epsom Footcare, we can assess your foot shape, how you walk, and the condition of your skin and nails to help find the cause — and help you prevent the same issues coming back.

We see a lot of people who didn’t realise their footwear was affecting their feet. A small change can make a big difference.

If your feet are bothering you, or you’re not sure if your shoes are helping or making things worse, come and see us. It’s always worth a proper check.

Contact our dedicated Patient Care Team on 01372 723000 to make an appointment or book directly online.