Advantages of Wearing Therapeutic Shoes

Therapeutic shoes are the recommended footwear for people with diabetes. Diabetics have an increased risk of foot problems due to poor circulation and nerve damage that occurs in the feet. Diabetics are unlikely to feel an injury in that area because of the nerve damage, which leaves them at risk of getting infections and foot ulcers. Specially made therapeutic shoes are a necessary investment for diabetics. They are designed to reduce the risk of many different complications. Here are some of the advantages of wearing therapeutic shoes:

Skin Protection

Ill fitting shoes tend to cause blisters, calluses, and other minor injuries. When someone without diabetes gets any skin related injury in the foot area, pain alerts them of the injury, but diabetics do not have this advantage. Therapeutic shoes are designed to be comfortable. They hold the feet steadily to prevent the soles from sliding around and they do not pinch the skin, thus reducing the risk of skin related injuries.

Lower Risk of Foot Ulcers

Foot ulcers are formed when the top layer of skin on a foot breaks. The breakage leads to an infection which causes the condition. Diabetics are more prone to foot ulcers because of poor circulation which slows the healing process. The most common cause of foot ulcers are poor fitting shoes which can cause pressure and cuts on the foot. Therapeutic shoes shelter the feet and lower the risk of skin breakage.

Reduced Pressure

Humans put a lot of pressure in the feet due to constant walking and the risk of pain in this area is very high. Diabetics are even more sensitive to pain in the foot region because of their condition. Pressure that causes pain on the plantar surfaces of the feet normally occurs because of limited ankle mobility. While non-diabetics can tolerate the pain that accompanies the pressure, diabetics have a higher risk of getting chronic foot complications. Good therapeutic shoes can help to lessen the pain. They are crafted with extra cushioning that provide support and reduce pressure. Walking becomes less painful and damaging.

Increase Blood Flow

Therapeutic shoes encourage blood flow in the feet. Poor circulation, which is a common problem for diabetics, can lead to swelling of the feet. The shoes are designed to stimulate the flow of blood by keeping the feet comfortable without any restrictions, and they therefore reduce swelling.

Increased Comfort

Diabetics with foot ulcers and other conditions can experience a lot of discomfort and pain when walking. Therapeutic shoes are adequately cushioned to increase comfort and reduce pain, making them ideal for diabetics who already have foot ailments.

 Reduced Sweating

Ordinary shoes tend to be made with inexpensive materials that do not allow the feet to breathe. This is increases the temperature inside the shoe which in turn causes sweating. Sweaty feet are prone to blistering and other foot injuries that normally occur in diabetics. Therapeutic shoes are specially designed with materials that allow the feet to breathe. This greatly reduces the risk of skin problems.

Therapeutic shoes are normally shunned by most people because they look “unattractive”, this may have been true a decade ago, but the case is different today. Shoe companies have started taking style into consideration and there are many different varieties of therapeutic shoes that are available. Many of them look just like ordinary shoes but they have an added layer of comfort and protection. Preventing foot ulcers and other foot ailments is extremely important for diabetics, and now you can have the option of wearing shoes that look great and feel amazing.