Whether it is because you are an athletic person, have a job that requires you to be on your feet a lot, or simply love an adorable pair of high heels, your feet go through a lot each and every day. However, it is not always something we are conscious and aware of, which means our feet often get forgotten at the end of the day. Nonetheless, there is nothing more frustrating and sometimes even debilitating than feet pain. Since we are constantly relying on them so much in one way or another, once they start hurting then it can be hard to carry on with your daily activities. Fortunately there are steps you can take to avoid this unnecessary aching.

Of course if your foot pain becomes chronic then you need to make an appointment with your doctor who can then refer to an orthopedic specialist. From there they may take a mold of your foot and prescribe you a pair of custom orthotics. What typically happens in these cases is that your foot’s arch is different than the sole of your shoe, therefore you are probably not getting the proper support that your feet need and your foot is working overtime to maintain that natural arch. With custom orthopedic inserts, you simply place them at the bottom of your shoe over the sole and then your foot should start to feel pain relief as its natural shape is supported.

If your foot pain is not chronic, but slight, then we suggest trying gel shoe inserts. Brands like Dr Scholls inserts have a gel inserts line that cushions your feet and forms to your foot. These are great for all shoes, including heels. Plus they feature shock absorbing technology so that you can stay active for longer, protecting not only your feet but your back and shins as well. And if you have specific parts of your feet you want to target, the gel inserts are available for only the balls of your feet or if you get blisters easily you can protect your feet from that pain as well. At the end of the day you will be able to keep those heels on for longer with any combination of these inserts, but to ensure that you don’t end up that girl who is walking around barefoot after removing her heels, the Dr. Scholls brand has also produced a cute pair of slip-on ballet flats that folds easily into your clutch so you can carry it with you and slip them on instead of the barefoot alternative.

Written by Lizzy Jude