Amanda Ngudle

Amanda Ngudle

There's probably nothing worse than finding yourself in an uncomfortable shoe. But removing it and putting it on again is certainly worse.

An uncomfortable pair of shoes has been known to blow up arguments, heat up a debate and generally make a dull day look gloomier than it actually is.

"The hands and feet have loads of chakras. This makes them very sensitive to touch," says Beverley Knight, a palm reader.

"Wearing uncomfortable shoes stands to seriously interfere with the energy of the soul. So does the wearing of uncomfortable clothing in general."

Knight goes on to say that shoes in particular are a very sensitive matter.

"Unless they are totally comfortable and allow your feet to breathe, chances are that they cause you a lot of emotional damage and unaccounted-for stress."

Though Knight's assertions are based on theory, they don't differ much from what Louis Steenkamp, a podiatrist asserts. "Uncomfortable shoes are a danger to your back and legs. They don't have to be high heels to deform and damage the muscles of your feet, the legs, as well as your back.

"These they do by first damaging the toes, and the legs and can be straining to the back," he says.

Shoes of no substance are said to throw the posture out of alignment.

Besides, uncomfortable shoes that are too tight, too narrow, too wide, too flat, too high, too hot and so forth, rob most people of a brisk walk which is good for posture and exercise.

"They also rob you of your confidence and without self- esteem you live half a life. For instance, you might be at a nice do with a brilliant crowd but fail to mingle because your shoes won't let you," says Knight.

"The most common foot problems associated with high heels are blisters, corns and calluses," says Steenkamp.

"Calluses are generally overly-thickened skin patches which can be unsightly.

"They are usually not harmful but they can cause infections.

"Blisters are extremely painful and they can take a while to heal. Some blisters are so painful that you cannot walk at all.

"These problems are generally caused by a lot of pressure and crowding of the toes. Thin soles are to blame for most of these problems."

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Check out their summer range this festive season.

Below are guidelines to help you buy comfortable shoes.

Step One

Check the size of your feet regularly. Our feet change as we age.

Step Two

Take separate measurements for each foot. Each foot size is different.

Step Three

Try on shoes at the end of the day, when feet are typically largest.

Step Four

Always try on shoes and avoid relying on the size indicated. Companies manufacture sizes differently.

Step Five

Be sure to stand and walk when trying on shoes, and allow for about 2cm of space for the longest toe of each foot.

Step Six

Be sure your heels fit comfortably and slip only slightly.

Step Seven

Select shoes that conform to your feet.