Problem feet

[spiderlashes5000]

I've always had feet that got sore easily.  Even back when I was 4 or 5 years old, my mother would drag my behind all over NYC, shopping, and my little dogs would be barking like an old lady's.  Well, until recently, I just dealt with it; I wore whatever shoes I wanted and I just got frequent foot massages to compensate.  But a few months ago, my feet just gave out.  I wore this stiff pair of pointy-toed, high heel ankle booties to work, and I was almost crying from the pain by lunchtime.  It took a full week of wearing nothing but sensible shoes to recover.  So I am selling many of my more "problematic" shoes and limiting myself to Dansko and Born, etc. for the next several months.

I need shoes w/ either a super cushiony sole (Born) or shoes w/ a very thick, ergonomically-designed sole (Dansko) to act as shock absorbers.  They can't be narrow (the front part of my foot is very wide), they can't be pointy, the toe box can't be super flat/tight and they must put some distance between my foot and the ground (no super thin-soled flats).  They can have a high heel but it has to be a solid, thicker heel or a wedge (no stilettos/spikes).

But I like to have cute shoes.  And I'm used to having quite a pairs in my rotation -- different styles, colors, heel heights, casual, dress, winter, summer, etc.  So do you have any suggestions?  I'm like one step away from orthopedic shoes here, so I really need help!  I've heard Sofft, Softwalks and Softspots are good...but never tried them...didn't really love most of them when I looked them up on zappos.  Cork-ease (or however you spell it) look like they would work but they appear to be mostly sandals.

Anyone you know (or you) have really sore feet and have had good luck w/ a particular brand? 

[Imla]

Spiderlashes, Aerosoles' dress shoes are both stylish and comfortable.  I also provided links to Easy Spirt and Naturalizer.  Check them out.

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http://aerosoles.com/

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http://www.easyspirit.com/About/ABOUT,default,pg.html

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http://www.naturalizer.com/

[Curlilocs]

I've actually seen some cute shoes by Liz Claiborne Flex. 

[ruqayya33]

I've always had feet that got sore easily.  Even back when I was 4 or 5 years old, my mother would drag my behind all over NYC, shopping, and my little dogs would be barking like an old lady's.  Well, until recently, I just dealt with it; I wore whatever shoes I wanted and I just got frequent foot massages to compensate.  But a few months ago, my feet just gave out.  I wore this stiff pair of pointy-toed, high heel ankle booties to work, and I was almost crying from the pain by lunchtime.  It took a full week of wearing nothing but sensible shoes to recover. 

I need shoes w/ either a super cushiony sole (Born) or shoes w/ a very thick, ergonomically-designed sole (Dansko) to act as shock absorbers.  They can't be narrow (the front part of my foot is very wide), they can't be pointy, the toe box can't be super flat/tight and they must put some distance between my foot and the ground (no super thin-soled flats).  They can have a high heel but it has to be a solid, thicker heel or a wedge (no stilettos/spikes).

Sweetie, have you ever gone to a podiatrist or an orthopedic foot specialist?

I recently took an elderly friend to a podiatrist for foot pain/walking troubles (and toe nail trimming.) We found out that my friend - who is 89 - had, all these years, been wearing shoes that were too small and too tight. He had developed a large bunion on one foot as well as assorted calluses and fusing of many of the center bones in both feet. For some reason, he had been wearing size 8 M, all his adult life, when in fact he should have worn 9 Wide. Now that he has the bunion (on one foot) the podiatrist recommended going to a 9.5 Extra Wide and also wear orthopedic insoles. (At the orthopedic shoe store, the sales rep also used special padding to get a tighter fit on the foot that didn't have the bunion.)

The podiatrist also told me that EVERYBODY, but especially children, women, the elderly and people that are on their feet all the time should get their feet PROFESSIONALLY measured yearly. Things that can change feet: badly fitting shoes, genetics, aging, growth (in kids,) pregnancy, weigh gain or loss, prolonged or serious diseases (of any kind) and injuries to the lower extremities (like feet, ankles, knees, leg and hip.)

[spiderlashes5000]

Thanks for the recs, ladies!

Ruqayya, yes, I went to a podiatrist back in the late 90s.  He recommended orthotics and actually gave me a bagful of samples of that prescription pain medication that was later recalled...Vioxx, I think it was.  I wound up not going back to get fitted for the orthotics.  I think that was because he said I would need to wear them with a brand new, never worn pair of shoes.  And I was waiting to buy a new pair of shoes.  I guess I was waiting for a sale or for the season to change.  LOL  So I never followed up. 

But yeah, I do blame this last pregnancy on sending my feet right over the edge.  I gained sooooooooo much weight and it caused a lot of problems for me.  People don't understand when I complain about my huge weight gain and being in such a hurry to lose it, I'm not just being vain.  It's actually a real problem. 

But anyway, yeah, the podiatrist said not to wear high, pointy shoes, blahblah.  And now I don't.  If I wear a high heel it's a chunky heel or a wedge, wide toe box.  Hmmmm, maybe I do need to go back.  But truth be told, I have lots of little "problems" that I could see specialists about...but I've just gotten into the habit of self-treating.  It's just kinda my nature to be self reliant and to figure out solutions to my problems.  Like I think I could be OK if I just stuck to Dansko and Born for the rest of my life...but I love to buy shoes and I'm running out of cute choices w/ those two brands!  LOL

[NATuralinCO]

I don't know if you've found what you were looking for, but I went to "Good Feet" over the weekend just to find out what I could do to eliminate all of this recent foot pain I've been experiencing.  They have great products that fit in all types of shoes. 

Then I saw this commercial about a product that helps stengthen the arch of your foot and would rather try that because A) it's cheaper by far, B) I love going barefoot and hope to address the problem not just the pain. Good Feet said don't go barefoot, ever, but I know full well I don't have to wear shoes all the time to never have foot pain. 
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http://www.barefootscience.com/cdn/index.html

I have yet to try either, but I'm really hoping to soon and that I get relief.  I too blame the excess weight I carried during my baby-carrying years ;) Which spanned about 4 years, that's a lot of weight on our poor little feet.  If you found anything that helps you, please let me know!! My heels ache too often for me - I've had enough!