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Best Shoes for Massage Therapy
I am looking for shoes. Any suggestions from the uber-massage therapists out there??
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Rajam K Roose on
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Daniel, you can check out http://www.vibramfivefingers.com to find a store in your area. I recommend calling them and making sure they have them in stock as the stores where I live sell out quickly. I called around and it was the third one I called that had them in stock. It'll save you some driving/bus riding time!
Definitely try them on before making a judgment! They're great for me to work in b/c I have wide feet for a woman and shoes were hurting my feet for work. I only wear them for work, but want to get another pair for errands and such at home.
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Permalink Reply by Jason Wright on
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Rajam, I am not aware of any arch support in Vibram's five finger shoes. Which ones do you have? I purchased them because they have no arch support or any other restriction on foot function. And, to another poster, I exercise and run in mine!
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Permalink Reply by Kimberly Rogers on
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Hi Julie!
With my high arches and low back issues, I have found New Balance and Avia shoes very comfortable. But everyone is different. I would recommend going to a shoe store where there is an educated clerk to help you out. My clerk at Shippy Shoes in Stevens Point, WI, had me walk around while studying my posture and gait. After measuring my feet, she then brought out several types of shoes to try on. I had to walk around the store in them to find the proper fit. The local ortho & pedi docs send people to the store to get properly-fitted shoes. They aren't cheap, but boy, to they last and are they comfortable. I had forgotten what it felt like to have no knee or hip pain from walking.
I hope there is a shoe store near you that has a similar helpful reputation. Good luck in your search. :)
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Permalink Reply by Julie Castell on
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Thanks for the insight.
Kimberly Rogers said:Hi Julie!
With my high arches and low back issues, I have found New Balance and Avia shoes very comfortable. But everyone is different. I would recommend going to a shoe store where there is an educated clerk to help you out. My clerk at Shippy Shoes in Stevens Point, WI, had me walk around while studying my posture and gait. After measuring my feet, she then brought out several types of shoes to try on. I had to walk around the store in them to find the proper fit. The local ortho & pedi docs send people to the store to get properly-fitted shoes. They aren't cheap, but boy, to they last and are they comfortable. I had forgotten what it felt like to have no knee or hip pain from walking.
I hope there is a shoe store near you that has a similar helpful reputation. Good luck in your search. :)
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Permalink Reply by Anne Brennan on
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If I can get away with it, I prefer working bare foot. However when I absolutely have to wear shoes the best clogs I have ever found are made my Quark. They are incredibly light, something like 4 ounces. I found them several years ago when I was desperate to find shoes I could stand in all day as a floral designer, I found these in a flower shop expo... They are amazing for massage therapy...traction is great, absolutely silent when walking--no flip flop or loud sole noises, and they my feet never hurt even after several massages in a row. You can find all kinds of different patterns just by googling quark shoes.
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Thanks much.
Anne Brennan said:If I can get away with it, I prefer working bare foot. However when I absolutely have to wear shoes the best clogs I have ever found are made my Quark. They are incredibly light, something like 4 ounces. I found them several years ago when I was desperate to find shoes I could stand in all day as a floral designer, I found these in a flower shop expo... They are amazing for massage therapy...traction is great, absolutely silent when walking--no flip flop or loud sole noises, and they my feet never hurt even after several massages in a row. You can find all kinds of different patterns just by googling quark shoes.
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Jason- I think I have the runner ones. They do have an arch built in to the sole. The best support for my arches have been to stregthen my tibialis posterior and which has helped with my over-pronation issues!
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Permalink Reply by Melanie Amyot on
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birkenstock sandals, Merrell or Privo shoes and if you work on concrete or other really hard floors, nurse shoes (they're not the prettiest but they're comfy especially after a looooooong day!)
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Permalink Reply by Vivian on
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I'm pretty amazed a thread about shoes has lasted this long.
However, I did just order myself a pair of quarks because of Annes recommendation.
I'll let you know how they work out,.......... I bet this thread will still be alive.
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Hello again Rajam!
I agree that the level of strength and tonicity in the tibialis posterior (among other myofascial units) is a major contributor to the shape, function, and resilience of the arch system of the foot. I also used to have over-pronation issues, which upon deeper investigation turned out to be a posturally everted calcaneus at the subtalar joint with a frozen midfoot that could not pronate at all! Last year I began a strengthening program for my leg and foot with the intention of rebuilding my arches and preparing my feet and body for wearing the Vibram Five Fingers shoes for running and for work. I'm happy to say that I have gone from apparently flat feet to a healthy arch system, and that my whole foot is one size smaller!
Also, I was just on the phone with Vibram USA and was asking about whether or not their Five Fingers models had any arch support. They said that none of their Five Fingers models had any arch support. At rest, not being worn, the shape of the EVA may resemble the plantar surface of a foot with a healthy arch, and when I brought this up they said that this should not be mistaken for arch support. They seemed adamant that their Five Fingers products had no arch support at all! Three cheers for Vibram!
I hope you all find this useful!
Jason
Rajam K Roose said:Jason- I think I have the runner ones. They do have an arch built in to the sole. The best support for my arches have been to stregthen my tibialis posterior and which has helped with my over-pronation issues!
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Thanks for the info Jason, must mean my arches are healthy now!!
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Permalink Reply by Billie Menier on
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Nurse's shoes work very well! I go barefoot when I can though!
Julie Castell said:Jenny, thanks so much. I checked them out and like what I see.
Jenny Good said:I recently stumbled upon a newish shoe company called Oboz. They make a whole line of multisport shoes (hiking shoes, trail running shoes, sandals--comparable to what you might find from Merrell, Keen, or Teva) that's worth checking out. I hadn't heard of them, but I randomly found a pair on a sale rack a few months ago and, since they were in my hard-to-find size, I bought them. They're incredibly comfortable!
http://www.obozfootwear.com/site/about.html#
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