Halloween Tips for the Feet

Halloween can be a very exciting time for all ages, but some can feel the affects following the events. If you seem to have aches and pains in your feet or legs during events and the days following, there are ways to improve your comfort! Here are a few Halloween tips to improve the comfort in your feet and legs.

Tips for Trick or Treating

Trick or treating usually means a long period of time on concrete surfaces. This means more force and less cushioning through your feet and legs. You may also find that the amount of walking you are doing is more than normal.

One of the most important considerations, is to make sure you are wearing the right shoes for your feet! Take a look at how the shoes are fitting, the type of shoes you are wearing, and the amount of support they provide.

Shoe Fit

Properly fitting shoes mean there is about a thumb width (1/2”) space between the end of your toes and the end of your shoes. This provides room for the normal motion of your feet moving slightly in your shoes. When your toes are touching the end of the shoe, your toes can start to curl and cramp, and your toenails can become bruised or irritated. You should be able to move your toes inside your shoe!

It’s also important to make sure the width of your shoe is appropriate. If the toes become pushed together, this can lead to pain and skin irritation in the shorter term, and can contribute to bunions or ingrown toenails in the longer term.

Type of Shoes

The best types of shoes to wear when walking around the neighbourhood are running or walking shoes. These shoes have the features to absorb shock and support the feet to reduce pain in the feet and legs.

If you or your kids have a specific shoe in mind to complete the costume, consider getting creative. For example, you can print out the style of shoe you want and tape it on the running or walking shoe.

Amount of Support

The quality of your running and walking shoe will also make a difference in the amount of support it has. Even if you are on a budget, there are a couple tests you can do to improve the quality of the shoe. First, the sole of the shoe should not bend easily when trying to fold it in half. The other test is to make sure the back of the heel is solid when trying to push the heel.

Some people find that wearing good quality shoes still provide some discomfort for their feet and/or legs. In this case, an over the counter insert or custom foot orthotic can provide additional support to relieve pain.

Tips for Halloween Parties

When attending a Halloween party, there are ways to improve your foot comfort.

If attending an indoor party, bring a pair of comfortable indoor shoes to wear. You may be standing more often than you realize.

Look at the surfaces you are standing on. If there is a softer mat or a carpet to stand on, try and stand on these instead.

Be aware of how you are feeling. If you can feel your feet, legs or lower back starting to get tight or painful, switch the position you are in or take a seat.

When to get your feet checked

One of the first signs that you may need to get your feet checked, is when you have pain in your feet, legs or lower back occasionally after long days. If this starts to get worse and more frequent, likely something needs to be done to reduce the pain.

If you tend to dread the days following events like Halloween, it might be time to consider an assessment of your feet. You can book an appointment online or contact us!