New Initiative to Encourage Safer, More Enjoyable Walking
During April 2025 people can claim a free footwear assessment at Foot Solutions in Red Lion Street, Richmond.
Spring is here and with the imminent arrival of warmer (and hopefully) sunnier weather, many of us will be looking forward to getting out to enjoy walks in places like parks, green spaces and riverside areas.
Numerous studies show that walking not only helps our physical well-being, it’s good for our mental health too.
But, for those of us who are a little bit older, in order to be able to enjoy our walks safely and comfortably, we first need to consider – is our footwear fit for purpose?
There are two issues to consider:
- comfort
- safety
In terms of comfort, the aim is to be able to walk easily without pain for several hours at a time. To achieve this, wearing good, well-constructed footwear is essential. The feet are the foundations of the body and if they are not stable, aligned and properly supported, joint pain and uncomfortable walking are likely consequences. Features to look for in shoes include, firm supportive soles, wide toe boxes, secure fastening with e.g. laces, Velcro or buckles and a low, wide heel. For many people, additional arch supports may be needed, so footwear also needs to be able to accommodate custom inserts.
Inappropriate, poorly constructed and badly fitted shoes not only affect comfort, they can also have major health and safety implications causing conditions like plantar fasciitis, bunions and even arthritis. According to the University Hospitals of Leicester, an estimated 24,000 older people fall over every year as a result of wearing poorly fitting footwear. Such falls can cause serious injuries including fractures.
With the above in mind, Foot Solutions Richmond is offering a free footwear assessment during April 2025.
A Foot Solutions spokesperson said:
“At Foot Solutions, we want to help people experience safe, comfortable, pain-free mobility so that they can enjoy all the health benefits of walking. By assessing people’s footwear and advising accordingly, we can help ensure that they are properly equipped to achieve these aims”.
To arrange a FREE footwear assessment please call 020 8940 1814 to book an appointment, or message Foot Solutions, Richmond here
Image credit Oziel Gomez via Unsplash