It is important to remember that an estimated three out of four people experience foot problems in their lifetime-and women have about four times as many foot problems as men. Many women's foot ailments are the result of poorly fitting shoes and high heels. Therefore, it is important to have a corectly fitting shoe.

Heels and your feet

High heels have been known to cause knee pain, back pain as well as foot problems. Heels shorten calf muscles and the prolonged wearing of heels causes changes to the shape of the feet and may impair normal foot function. Wearing of high-heeled shoes causes increased pressure buildup in the forefoot area. This results in forefoot pain and the formation of corns. Wearing a lower-heel shoe helps to distribute the pressure experienced by the foot.

Pregnancy

Due to the natural weight gain during pregnancy, a woman's center of gravity is altered. This causes a new weight-bearing stance and added pressure to the knees and feet. Two of the most common foot problems experienced by pregnant women are overpronation and edema. These problems can lead to pain at the heel, arch or ball of the foot.

Overpronation, also referred to as flat feet, can create extreme stress or inflammation on the plantar fascia. This makes walking very painful and can increase strain on the feet, calves and/or back. Edema, also referred to as swelling in the feet, normally occurs in the latter part of pregnancy.

Keep the following points in mind when choosing shoes.

The length of your shoe should be a thumb's spacing from the longest toe to the end of the shoe.

If possible, purchase shoes with either laces, or a buckle, with a wide heel base and no more than 2 inches in height.

The widest part of your foot should correspond with the widest area of the shoe.

Shoes with firm rubber soles and soft leather uppers will be far more comfortable.