Summer has ended, and autumn is officially here. And when the seasons change, fashion styles change as well. Our footwear choices also change, and studies reveal that this change can make autumn the most painful time for a woman’s feet. In today’s post, Dr. Mucinskas at Feet First Foot Care Specialists shares why your feet might be painful and what you can do to relieve the pain.

Many women wear sandals, flip-flops, and other open-toed shoes during the warmer months. When temperatures drop, many women return to wearing closed-in style shoes and high heels. Wearing high heels and closed-toe shoes for extended periods can leave women vulnerable to several foot conditions, like hammertoe, metatarsalgia, Achilles injuries, and bunions.

Here are 4 tips to prevent these conditions from developing

1. Don’t put off needed treatments: People are very active outdoors during the warmer months. When foot problems develop in the summer and fall, many women choose to have surgery in the winter so they don’t miss out on any fun.

2. Listen to your feet: Women should shop for fashionable footwear that fits them properly in all the right places. If you begin to feel pressure in your toes or on the side of your feet, consider taking your shoes to a shoe repair shop to alter them, and only wear high heels in moderation.

3. Plan ahead: If your feet hurt, remove your shoes and switch to a more comfortable style. Do your feet a favor by planning ahead. If you plan to go out to dinner and won’t be doing a lot of walking, heels can be a good choice. But if you are going to do a lot of walking for a few hours, skip the heels and opt for a pair of flats instead.

4. Seek treatment for bunions: Lastly, if a certain pair of shoes no longer fit properly because you have a bunion on your foot, don’t just discard them. The bunion won’t heal on its own, but we can treat it and get you back in your favorite pair of shoes in no time!

If your feet begin to hurt when the weather cools down, it’s time to visit us to find out what’s causing your pain! Contact Dr. Mucinskas at Feet First Foot Care Specialists to schedule an appointment by calling our office at 860-632-5499 or by clicking here to schedule your appointment online.