Today’s working woman leads a fast paced, versatile lifestyle, especially on the job. A lesson that is often learned at the most inopportune times, is that if comfortable shoes are not worn, the body pays in ways that can be quite unpleasant. For example, damage to one’s knees, feet and even her spine can occur when a woman who has to be on her feet a lot wears high heels to work. Recent research by the Southern California Keck School of Medicine suggest that improperly fitting shoes can possibly even prevent the body from engaging in general repair of one’s DNA and can hinder the body’s own defenses against cancer.

Ideally, women could go barefoot at work to enjoy the best health benefits while performing many jobs. However, this is not the logical solution in the majority of cases. Athletic shoes and other shoes that are made for comfort and that are rigid can also have adverse effects on the body, if worn regularly. This gives businesses ample opportunity to encourage their employees to wear more healthful footwear. Fortunately shoe manufactures have listened to the call of the aching foot, and have begun to manufacture office footwear that is not only comfortable and attractive, but that is also better for women’s skeletal and muscular systems.

Depending on the job itself and the type of flooring that is installed in a given company, the heel of an appropriate shoe for office wear, should be taken into consideration as a primary determining factor. If a particular job calls for flats, something in a soft, flexible material such as tanned leather or a breathable synthetic material are best. Some of the new vegan options offer choices that are far and above the synthetic shoes of days past. However, soft leather flats can offer years of comfort in classic styling. It is advised to wear a slight heel that will tilt the pelvis forward slightly, for the greatest comfort.

Individuals who insist upon wearing higher heels to the office might want to consider some of the new ergonomically correct varieties that come in professional styles that include a heel that is broader. Broader heels, as opposed to narrow, stiletto heels offer greater back and leg support, and come in attractive, stylish models that cradle the toe area, cup the heel and that have an anatomical arch that can increase the points at which the shoe touches the foot when walking. Narrow heels cause the heel to slip forward when the person walks in them, and adds excessive pressure that causes foot fatigue and discomfort. Women who are interested in a fashionable, comfortable shoe should look for one that comes in a classic silhouette and a cleft toe and exposed platform for optimum comfort in heeled office footwear.
As a general rule for shoe shopping for office wear, women should buy the most minimalistic shoes available. If open toed shoes are not allowed in a particular office environment, sling backs generally are. The less shoe that actually touches the foot, the better. Wedges give more arch support than non-wedge types of higher heels, and dressy sandals are ideal, if the company allows them.

Nisha represents a site called http://www.bradshawandlloyd.com.