How to Fix Foot Pains

Know how painful the wrong shoe size can be and how to correct the problem. Shoes that are too wide can be just as painful as shoes that are too tight. Wide shoes do not provide good support for the foot and cause the foot to move too much in the shoe, causing scratches and squeezing the toes. Shoes that are too tight will make your feet feel tight and sore at the end of the day. Fortunately, you can make the shoe stretch a bit or make it smaller by putting some material in the shoe.

• Remember that some materials are easier to stretch than others.

Try putting insoles in shoes that are too wide. The sockliner adds extra cushioning inside the shoe and prevents the foot from moving too much.

Use heel pads if the shoes are too wide and the foot slides forward too much. Heel pads are oval pads with an adhesive side that can be made from gel or foam wrapped in mpeskin fabric. You just need to peel off the sticker and stick it on the inside of the shoe, at the heel position. It will provide extra cushioning on the back of the shoe, preventing heel scratches and keeping the foot in place.

Fleece lining on the toe. If your loafers or work boots are so wide that your toes are constantly sliding forward and squeezing, you can try lining the toe with some fleece. The material is breathable, comfortable, and less likely to be compressed like paper towels. ^[7] You can also substitute a few cotton balls for wool.

Extend the shoe with a shoe holder. The shape retainer has the effect of preserving the shape of the shoe or extending the shoe, depending on its length or width. Insert the shoe into the mold to keep the shoe shape after each use. This method works best on genuine leather and suede, but doesn’t work on rubber or plastic.

Extend the shoe with a shoe stretcher. Spray the shoe expander solution and insert the shoe expander into the shoe. Each shoe stretcher is slightly different, but most have handles and knobs. The knob is used to adjust the length, the handle adjusts the width. Rotate the handle and knob so that it fits snugly against the shoe, then leave it there for 6-8 hours. When enough time has elapsed, turn the handle and knob backwards (so that the shoe expander molds smaller) and remove the mold from the shoe. This is a great choice for loafers and work shoes.

• There are many types of shoe stretch molds, including those for high heels. The two-way stretch mold is most useful, as it can stretch both the width and the length of the shoe.
• Some shoe dilation molds come with components for defects such as deformity of the big toe. You can attach these parts before use.
• The shoe expander can only fit into the shoe and loosen the shoe so it doesn’t feel too tight or tight, but it can’t make the whole shoe bigger.
• Shoe stretchers are most effective on natural materials like leather and suede. It also works with some other materials, but not very well on synthetics and plastics.

Ask a shoemaker to widen your shoes. When extended, the toes have more room to move, which also reduces pressure and pain along the foot. However, the stretching method only works for leather and suede shoes. If you have expensive shoes and don’t want to ruin them when you stretch them at home, taking it to a shoemaker is a good idea.

Use ice to stretch shoes that have a tight toe area. You can do this by filling a zippered plastic bag halfway with water and locking it so that there is no air left in the bag and water does not spill out. Put the water bag on the toe of the shoe and put the shoe in the freezer. Leave it as it is until the water turns to ice, then remove the shoes from the freezer. Take out the ice pack and slip your feet into the shoes. The shoes will follow the shape of the foot as it warms up. ^[8]

• This method can stretch shoes thanks to the expansion property of water.
• However, this only works for natural materials such as leather, suede and fabric; may not work on plastic and leatherette materials.
• Remember that leather and suede shoes can leave stains if wet. You should consider wrapping your shoes in a towel to protect them.

Buy specialized socks. Sometimes just using the right socks to match your shoes can repair the shoes that are causing your foot pain. They can help support the foot, wick away moisture, and prevent scratches and blisters. Here are some specialty socks you can find and their uses: ^{[9] [10]}

• Sports socks have a tighter arch. This sock supports the arch of the foot, making it ideal for running and athletic shoes.
• Moisture-wicking socks help eliminate sweat from the feet. These socks help keep feet dry and prevent blisters.
• Running socks have extra padding on the underside. This type of sock helps absorb the impact that the foot creates when running.
• Toe socks are shaped like gloves but for the feet. These socks cover each toe and can prevent blisters between the toes.
• Notes on the material. Some materials, such as cotton, are absorbent and can lead to blisters. Materials like arylic, ppyester, and ppypropylene can help wick away sweat and keep feet dry.

Prevent painful flip-flops by wrapping the straps. Clip-on sandals can be comfortable and easy to wear. However, when the straps begin to press deep between the toes, they cause pain. Here are a few tips you can try to make your flip flops less painful:

• Use silicone pads for flip flops. This product is shaped like an insole for the forefoot, only there is a small tube attached to the top. Place the pad on the front part of the flip flop, then thread the strap part into the tube. This tube will help keep the strap from pressing too deep between the toes.
• Cover the straps with mpeskin fabric stickers. This is especially effective for plastic or rubber sandals. It helps to smoothen the feet and soften sharp edges.
• Wrap the fabric around the strap. You can continue to wrap the fabric around the strap for a personal touch of color and style. Secure the two ends of the fabric with a drop of shoe glue.

Know how to deal with smelly shoes. You can use micro-suede insoles to absorb the sweat that makes shoes smell, or you can put a few tea bags in your shoes when not in use. The tea bags will absorb odors, and you can throw them away the next day.

Consider gluing the third and fourth toes together with skin-colored medical tape. This way you can reduce pain in the forefoot. This works because there is a nerve between these two fingers. This nerve splits when you wear high heels and puts pressure on it. Gluing your toes together will help relieve tension. ^[11]

Soften hard shoes by wearing them for short periods of time. If your new shoes are causing your feet to hurt because they’re still stiff, you can soften them up by putting them on and walking around the house. Remember to do this step often and take off your shoes when it hurts a lot. Gradually your shoes will be wider and more comfortable.