Choosing Shoes
Choosing Shoes
The *Lao Lao Heng Yan* states: "The yin meridians converge at the feet and gather at the sole—the three yin channels all originate from the foot. Thus, even in summer, thick shoes are not unbearable heat, proving this point." Hence, choosing footwear requires care.
Uncomfortable shoes are one reason for foot damage. Shoes must fit the foot shape properly. Shoes too large don’t conform to the feet, increasing strain during walking. Shoes too small are uncomfortable and hinder blood circulation, causing swelling. Wearing tight shoes in winter reduces blood flow to the feet, making frostbite more likely. In summer, tight shoes trap sweat, promoting athlete’s foot. Children wearing tight shoes may have their metatarsal and accessory bones obstructed from upward bending via ligaments, leading to flat feet.
Shoe heel height should be moderate. For adults, heels of about 2–3 cm are ideal. Too low heels shift the center of gravity backward, increasing head impact from walking. Too high heels force toes toward the shoe tip, causing toe injuries and inflammation. High heels also keep calf muscles and tendons in constant tension, stiffen knee joints, and increase ankle sprain risk. For adult women, high heels distribute weight evenly, prevent overstretching ankle tendons and shortening foot bones, deepen the arch, shift the center of gravity forward, and help correct bad postures like hunchback, chest protrusion, slumped shoulders, spinal curvature, and head swaying. However, girls in developmental stages should avoid high heels. Early use may deform bones, potentially causing flat feet and pelvic tilt, leading to lower back pain. Young women should generally wait until age 23 to wear high heels, as skeletal development is then fully established.
Shoe materials include leather, cloth, plastic, and artificial leather. Generally, leather shoes are firm, shiny, and stylish—widely favored. But elderly people and children should avoid leather shoes. Children have tender tendons and soft bones, with organs rapidly developing; early leather shoe use, due to poor elasticity and high hardness, may cause foot deformities. Elderly people have fixed but aged bones and stiff joints; leather shoes feel rigid and inconvenient to walk in. Thus, elderly and children should prefer soft-cloth shoes. Plastic and artificial leather shoes have poor breathability—unsuitable for those with fungal infections or excessive foot sweat, as they worsen symptoms. When selecting plastic sandals in summer, choose ones with air vents at front and back. Also worth mentioning is slippers: their function is to relax tightly bound feet, shifting the nervous system from excited to inhibited state, allowing brain cells to rest. After a stressful day, removing tight shoes and putting on soft, loose slippers brings immediate comfort, greatly benefiting rest and enhancing brain function. Therefore, always remember to change into slippers upon returning home.