A growing number of experts believe that wearing shoes has a negative impact on a growing child’s foot, and there is research to support it. An analysis of 11 studies published in the Journal of Foot and Ankle Research, shows that shoes do affect a child’s gait.

Authors argued that when a child wears shoes, they walk faster by taking longer steps, affecting their ankle and knee movements. Footwear ultimately reduces motion, absorbs shock, and encourages a pattern of landing on the heel. At birth, the foot actually contains no bones, and isn’t fully developed until the later teenage years. Wearing big, bulky shoes during childhood may hinder the natural motion of walking, therefore causing later effects on the bones and muscles that could be damaging.

It’s important that infants have good foot care. If you are a parent and need help getting your infant new shoes, see podiatrist Dr. Michael Stein of Foot Doctor of the East Bay. Dr. Stein can examine your infant’s feet and advise you about what size and style of footwear to look for.

Fitting Shoes for Infants

Taking care of a baby to ensure proper development is highly important and necessary to make sure that they grow up to be healthy and happy. Finding shoes for infants may be tricky for new parents because it is a new experience for everyone involved. Also, since infants cannot speak, they cannot tell you which one feels best, which hurts, and which styles they like more. Although often crying is a signal for them being unhappy, it is still difficult to know what fits.

Since their feet are so tiny, it might be easier to go around a store and try to see which shoes fit them best. Most infant shoes are very soft and you will not have to worry about fancy laces or intricate shoe designs. For infants, all that matters is that they are warm, well-protected and comfortable so that they can grow properly.

Once a baby is able to stand or start walking after they pass their crawling phase, it is important to change their shoes as often as they grow.

If you have any questions, please contact one of our offices in San Leandro, Pleasanton, and Los Gatos, CA. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

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The shoemakers in the footwear department of the Stratford Festival make about 1000 pairs of shoes each year for the actors and dancers in the various productions put on by the popular theater. Since professional dancing is such a serious and athletically demanding activity, the performers often request that their shoes be made to fit certain unique specifications.

For example, for Stratford’s upcoming production of Crazy for You, many of the tap dancers asked that the sizes of their shoes be altered to allow a specific amount of toe room. The expert staff either tailors the shoes themselves or has them made off-site.

It’s always beneficial to make sure that your shoes are the right size, even if you aren’t a dancer. If you need help getting footwear that fits correctly, visit podiatrist Dr. Michael Stein of Foot Doctor of the East Bay. Dr. Stein will instruct you on how to find the best size and style of shoe for your foot type.

Getting the Right Shoe Size

Sometimes it may be difficult finding the right shoe size especially because shoe sizes tend to vary depending on the brand and company you are looking for. A size 6 for one brand may be a size 7 in another. Although many people know their exact shoe size, it can range within 2 sizes depending on where they shop.

So it is important not to always go for a size 7 just because you think you might be a size 7 universally. It is best to try on the shoe and walk around for a bit to see how it fits and how it feels. Comfort is essential and the fitting has to be well otherwise it can lead to blisters, bruises at the back of the ankle and it can also hurt your toes if the shoe is too tight for example.

People walk a lot, so it is important for you to find what is comfortable when it is possible.

For more information about Getting the Right Shoe Size, follow the link below.

If you have any questions, please contact one of our offices in San Leandro, Pleasanton, and Los Gatos, CA. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Seventh-grader Lauren Kiachian of St. Nicholas School attended one of her brother’s soccer games last fall. She then noticed that the opposing team kept sliding around the field because some of the players were not wearing proper cleats.

Knowing that her brother often grows his sports shoes, she decided to put his fairly new conditioned shoes into good use. Lauren held a youth sports-shoe drive. There she was able to donate shoes to charities and non-profit groups for children who might not be able to afford proper sports footwear.

It was then Lauren who decided to team up with Jeff Maier sports director in YMCA in Mountain View, to find L.A.C.E.S.(Let All Children Enjoy Sports). They held a drive. and now Lauren and L.A.C.E.S have a partnership where used donated sports shoes will be distributed to those children in need.

Properly fitted shoes are important to prevent injuries or other conditions to your feet.  For more information, be sure to pay a visit to podiatrist Dr. Michael Stein of Foot Doctor of the East Bay. Dr. Stein can examine your feet and provide advice for proper shoe fitting.   

Proper Shoe Fitting

A common concern when it comes to foot health, having properly fitted shoes can help prevent injuries to the foot. Out feet affect our posture and gait, which in turn affects the biomechanics and overall bodily structure. With 33 joints, 26 bones, and over 100 ligaments, the potential for serious injury is much greater than one realizes. Although the feet cease growth in adulthood, they still change shape as they mature. Here are come factors to consider when it comes to investing in properly fitting shoes:

• Be sure the shoes fit correctly right away
• Ensure the ball of your foot fits comfortably in the widest portion of the shoes
• Even though they may look fashionable, improperly fitting shoes can either create adverse conditions or exacerbate existing ones you may already have
• Walk along a carpeted surface to ensure the shoes comfortably fit during normal activity

Keeping in mind how shoes fit the biomechanics of your body, keeping properly fit shoes is vitally important. Fortunately, it is not difficult to acquire footwear that fits correctly. Be sure to wear shoes that support the overall structure of your body. Do your feet a favor and invest in several pairs of well-fitted shoes today.

If you have any questions, feel free to call one of our offices in San Leandro, CA, Pleasonton, CA, or Los Gatos, CA. We offer the best in diagnostic and treatment technology for any complication you might have.

Read more about Keeping Children’s Feet Healthy.

In Merced County, 70 students from the Alicia Reyes Elementary School were recipients of free pairs of socks and shoes. The benefactor was a Merced-based nonprofit organization known as the Happy Feet Foundation, which provides footwear to children from low-income households.

The foundation’s president, Brynn Wolcott, said that “the purpose is to give children confidence so they feel good about themselves.” School learning director Lil Ayala added that “for some, it’s a big deal,” and that these new shoes fill an important need. Due to the success and financial backing, the organization expects to double, possibly even triple, the amount of recipients next year.

Take care of your children’s feet, and their feet will take care of them for a lifetime. To keep your child up to date on his or her foot health, be sure to pay a visit to podiatrist Dr. Michael Stein of Foot Doctor of the East Bay. Dr. Stein can examine your child’s feet and keep them in good shape.  

How to Keep Your Child’s Feet Healthy

Throughout childhood, it is crucial for children to have and maintain good health and proper care of their feet. With good foot health starting at an early age, foot problems and diseases can be prevented in the future. As children continue to develop so do their feet, and require different techniques of care and maintenance.

Even though babies do not begin walking until later stages, their feet should be taken care of properly:

· Stay away from socks that are too tight for your baby’s feet. This can cause pain and decrease circulation
· Encourage your baby to move their feet as much as possible so they feel comfortable with them

When your baby begins to learn how to walk, don’t panic if they are unsteady on their feet. Toddlers are just getting used to the way in which their feet work so wobbliness is completely acceptable.

When your child grows out of their toddler years, here are a few steps they should take to stay with good health within their feet:

· Practice proper hygiene with them
· Be observant of any injuries that might occur
· If an injury occurs, get it checked by a doctor

To learn more about Keeping Your Child’s Feet Healthy, follow the link below.

If you have any questions, feel free to call one of our offices in San Leandro, CA, Pleasonton, CA, or Los Gatos, CA. We offer the best in diagnostic and treatment technology for any complication you might have.

Read more about Keeping Children’s Feet Healthy.

A project started by a group of South Salem High students is teaching the adults lessons. One Thousand Soles is a shoe drive dedicated for youths in need of proper footwear. This year the drive collected 1,100 pairs of new and gently used shoes and $900 in donations.

"It's never crossed my mind that their feet hurt," said Shaw, the city of Salem's youth development and prevention coordinator. "This drive has opened our eyes to how great the need is. We've barely scratched the surface."

It is very important to keep children’s feet safe and healthy, so be sure to have their feet regularly checked by a podiatrist such as Dr. Michael Stein of Foot Doctor of the East Bay. Dr. Steincan diagnose any injuries as well as provide treatment options that work for you and your child.

Keeping Children's Feet Healthy

Having healthy feet in childhood can help prevent medical problems later in life, namely in the back and legs. As children grow, their feet require different types of care from birth to school-age.

Although babies do not walk yet, it is still very important to take care of their feet.

· Avoid putting tight shoes or socks on his or her feet
· Allow the baby to stretch and kick his or her feet to feel comfortable

As a toddler, kids are now on the move and begin to develop differently. At this age toddlers are getting a feel for walking, so don’t be alarmed if your toddler is unsteady or ‘walks funny’.  Be sure the child wears comfortable and protective shoes so that they can grow into their feet properly.

As your child gets older, it is important to teach them how to take care of their feet

• Show them proper hygiene to prevent infections such as fungus
• Be watchful of any pain or injury
• Have all injuries checked by a doctor as soon as possible
• Comfortable, protective shoes should always be worn, especially at play

To learn more about keeping children’s feet healthy, follow link below.

If you have any questions, please contact one of our offices which are located in San Leandro, Pleasanton and Los Gatos, CA. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Read more on Keeping Children’s Feet Healthy.