Fit My Feet

Do you have foot pain? What about knee or back pain? Are you constantly buying shoes two or three times a year, looking to alleviate your foot pain? However, each pair of shoes quickly wear out, and you’re left with feet that ache more than they did before. Well, I can relate! Let me show you my journey to learning about what kind of feet I have, and what I’m doing to prevent future foot issues through wearing the proper footwear.

So far, I have made three trips to Fit My Feet in two weeks! I keep finding products I need, and ways to reduce my foot pain. I am a waitress at Outback Steakhouse, and there are days I work from 10:30 am to 11:30 pm, and my feet take the direct assault all day. I have learned so much in a short amount of time, and I hope to help you too!

How I learned about this business

Once a month I go to my chiropractor for my routine adjustment. I have been going to Kruse Chiropractic in Dakota Dunes for over two years now, and I have noticed a huge improvement in my knee pain, however my feet have been hurting more and more the past several months. I have bought new shoes, but each pair never seems to quelch the issue.

I brought this issue up to Dr. Kruse, and he said I need to look at better shoes. Specifically, I need to visit Fit My Feet across the street, also in Dakota Dunes. He mentioned the running shoes Hoka and Brooks, and the slip-resistant shoes Keen. Knowing how expensive these brands can be, I saved up my tips for a week, and then made my visit.

As soon as I walked in, Kary greeted me, and looked down at my feet immediately. She was shocked I had been walking in these cheap Payless shoes for the past year! She had me sit down, measured my feet, and had me walk barefoot so she could watch my unassisted gait. All of this allowed her to properly eliminate shoes that would not improve my condition.

Learning what kind of feet I have

I learned I am flat-footed and my feet pronate. I walk on the insides of my feet. Without the proper footwear support, my heels start to slip inward, and out of my shoe. Furthermore, if never corrected, my feet would continue to drastically roll inwards, which in turn, would cause the “knee knocking” condition. Additionally, that leads to hip and back issues.

So, now you can see how a proper shoe with proper support can reduce multiple health issues.

Finding the proper shoe

I initially wanted to try on Keen shoes, however, I was drawn towards Alegria’s designs, and girly features. Their shoes have cute clasps, buckles and flowers, and they are slip-resistant and work-appropriate. Win win!

Immediately, I noticed how much heavier they were than my old shoes, and how well made they felt. I could tell by the insole this shoe was going to give me superior support than my old pair. After making my purchase within 20 minutes of walking into the store, I walked out feeling more confident.

Compression socks

I went back two days later, to purchase two pairs of compression socks. Kary had mentioned on our initial sit-down, that these might help with my achy feet. She explained that compression socks are tight fitting knee-high stockings, that use stronger elastics. The tight pressure that compression socks create force blood flow circulation back up to the heart, thus reducing blood pooling at the feet.

While wearing these socks an entire 11-hour shift, I noticed my ankles had more support, and I had more energy. However, my feet were still a little achy, so I went back again, to have them look at the insoles, and Kary mentioned they could add a thicker insole for more aggressive support.

Brooks athletic shoe

Upon my third visit, I had two objectives. The first, thicker insoles, the second, proper running shoes. I had been eyeing this specific Brooks shoe that was on sale, and I was excited to try on athletic shoes that would improve my mobility and stability while at the gym.

Nick helped me out this time. He sat down with me, listened to what I was needing, and then off he went, bringing back six pairs of shoes for me to try on! I tried on the Brooks shoe I picked out when I first walked in, but to my surprise, it gave me zero arch support. So, it was quickly eliminated. Now, I was in new territory. I had no idea which shoes Nick had selected, but I entrusted my feet to people who only wanted the best for me.

Each pair, Nick would take out of the box, slip them onto my feet, lace them up for me, then have me walk back and forth throughout the store. Watching how my feet and ankles moved, and asking me how they felt. We eventually narrowed them down to two. I selected a Brooks shoe that was on sale, however, not the original one I first tried on. The other shoe was a Hoka, which was a more aggressive shoe with amazing heal support. The price-point was out of my current budget. Even so, I plan on purchasing a pair of Hoka shoes in the future. I was impressed by their technology, and I could always use a second pair of running shoes.

Best selling pedorthic book on amazon

Now that I have illustrated my visits and my purchases, I want to introduce you to the man who owns this business, and the book he wrote. Nick Kolterman (not the same Nick who helped me on my third visit) owns Fit My Feet, is a board-certified Pedorathist and wrote a book titled ‘Enhance Your Path to Healthy, Happy Feet’.

I purchased the book on my first visit, and it only took me two days to read it. I was enthralled with what I was learning about my feet. For starters, it’s obvious you stand on your feet, but how he describes your feet as your foundation brought the importance of healthy feet into perspective. Dr. Kolterman describes when not having healthy feet, you modify and adjust your daily plans and even important life events according to the amount of pain you encounter by just walking. Everything starts from the ground up.

Brannock Device

Dr. Kolterman also explains the difference between shoe stores that want to help you, and ones that just want the sale. For example, he acknowledges the Brannock Device, and how it is used to measure your feet. Invented in the early 1900s, this device is an adjustable foot gadget, with an astonishing 96% accuracy rate!

He goes further to reinforce that shoe stores should always measure your feet first before you begin walking around, picking and choosing multiple pairs to try on. In fact, the first thing Kary did after I walked in was sit me down and measure my feet. She explained to me that feet change and grow as we get older, so it is important to not assume your shoe size.

Lacing technique

I also learned about how to lace your shoes. My heel slips in tennis shoes while I work out, and I learned what a heel lock is, and how to enforce it just by changing the pattern of your shoe laces. Dr. Kolterman explains that Lacing Technique is a lost art, and that there are multiple ways to modify your lacing method to accommodate what foot you have.

Changing my shopping habits

There is much more information reviewed in Dr. Kolterman’s book. From Achilles tendons to diabetic shoes to tongue pads. The information I have learned in just two weeks is enlightening, and there is no way I will shop for shoes at a big box store ever again.

The professionals who are employed at Fit My Feet want to educate you on footwear and foot health. They take their time to fit you into a proper shoe that will alleviate sometimes years of pain, and even extend your daily productivity.

Orthodics

Additionally, they also design custom-made orthotic insoles and even knee and ankle braces. In fact, on my third visit Dr. Kolterman was fitting a leg brace for a client who recently broke her ankle in a car accident, and another client who was recovering from reconstructive surgery on his foot.

In with the new, out with old

I can tell you I have thrown out my old work shoes, tennis shoes, ballet flats and fashionable boots I blindly purchased at retail locations. Shoes that only did murder to my feet throughout the years. I will eventually replace these shoes with ones more adequate for my specific condition.

Fit My Feet has a plethora of shoe options. You’ll have your choice of work boots, sandals, running shoes, dress shoes and even high heels! All are sensible and practical, and most importantly, they are all designed to aid in foot support.

Plan your visit

So now that we have outlined my personal experience and the products Fit My Feet sell, I hope you are just as intrigued to learn about footwear as I am. Make your visit, ask questions and check out their inventory.

Visit their website (https://fitmyfeet.com) for even more information, and if you are not near the Dakota Dunes area, they also have two other locations in Sioux Falls and Brookings, South Dakota.