【The Impact of Sock Cushioning on Foot Comfort and Shock Absorption.】
Have you ever wondered why people wear socks? Socks are essential for protecting and providing comfort to our feet, which are one of the most important structures in our body. The human body has a total of 206 bones, with 52 in the feet alone, accounting for a quarter of the entire skeletal system! As a result, the feet bear more weight than other parts of the body. For example, during daily walking, the feet bear one to two times their body weight, while running requires the feet to bear three to seven times their body weight, and jumping requires them to bear nine times their body weight! This places a significant burden on the feet, leading to wear and tear on the bones and muscles. Fortunately, the feet have an arch structure that functions like a spring, helping to absorb shock and distribute pressure, preventing excessive stress or damage to the feet from external factors.
Therefore, it is essential to wear socks to protect the feet, not only providing extra support, cushioning, and comfort, but also preventing the feet from being affected by external environmental factors, such as avoiding the harm caused by winter or humid environments, helping to keep warm and providing breathable, moisture-wicking functions. HandySocks's sport functional socks, basketball socks, towel-cushion sport socks, pressure-printed socks, etc., can improve the comfort and shock absorption ability of the feet, reducing foot fatigue and discomfort.
Besides the burden and pressure that the feet bear in daily life, certain groups of people require special attention to foot protection and comfort. Here are some groups that need to be mindful：
1. Patients with flat feet
Flatfoot is a common foot problem characterized by the disappearance or lowering of the arch of the foot, causing excessive burden on the feet. In general, when standing, the feet will present an arched shape, while flatfoot patients are different from the general public, their arches will disappear when standing, causing the entire sole of the foot to stick to the ground. The lack of an arched foot with amplitude is equivalent to losing buffering space, which can cause great burden on the feet, leading to problems such as foot pain, plantar fasciitis, knee pain, etc.
Flatfoot is a common foot problem characterized by the disappearance or lowering of the arch of the foot, causing excessive burden on the feet. In general, when standing, the feet will present an arched shape, while flatfoot patients are different from the general public, their arches will disappear when standing, causing the entire sole of the foot to stick to the ground. The lack of an arched foot with amplitude is equivalent to losing buffering space, which can cause great burden on the feet, leading to problems such as foot pain, plantar fasciitis, knee pain, etc.
Therefore, people with flat feet need to pay special attention to foot protection and comfort, such as wearing shoes with moderate softness and hardness, arch support pads with corrective function, and external items such as cushioning and Y-heel weave basketball socks that can support the arch and help properly distribute weight and reduce discomfort and pain. In addition, appropriate exercise can also strengthen foot muscle strength and help improve flatfoot problems. If flatfoot is severe and even affects quality of life, it is recommended to seek medical advice, as corrective devices or surgical treatment may be necessary.
2. Plantar Fasciitis Patients
Plantar fasciitis refers to inflammation of the foot's plantar fascia, causing severe pain, stiffness, and discomfort. According to expert studies, about 10-15% of the population suffers from plantar fasciitis, and the probability of long-distance runners developing it is as high as 22%. People who are susceptible to plantar fasciitis usually experience excessive stress on the foot, such as over-exercising, prolonged heavy weight-bearing, flat feet causing heavy load on the feet, long-term wearing of inappropriate/uncomfortable shoes, etc. Some people may develop it due to age, diabetes, or other metabolic diseases. Its typical symptoms include morning pain upon stepping on the ground, pain in the soles of the feet after prolonged use, relief of symptoms after rest, and pain upon stepping on the ground again. It adds a lot of trouble to daily life.
Plantar fasciitis refers to inflammation of the foot's plantar fascia, causing severe pain, stiffness, and discomfort. According to expert studies, about 10-15% of the population suffers from plantar fasciitis, and the probability of long-distance runners developing it is as high as 22%. People who are susceptible to plantar fasciitis usually experience excessive stress on the foot, such as over-exercising, prolonged heavy weight-bearing, flat feet causing heavy load on the feet, long-term wearing of inappropriate/uncomfortable shoes, etc. Some people may develop it due to age, diabetes, or other metabolic diseases. Its typical symptoms include morning pain upon stepping on the ground, pain in the soles of the feet after prolonged use, relief of symptoms after rest, and pain upon stepping on the ground again. It adds a lot of trouble to daily life.
The ways to treat plantar fasciitis include taking pain relievers, anti-inflammatory drugs, and physical therapy to reduce pain and inflammation, as well as wearing appropriate shoes, socks, and using supportive devices such as arch pads to reduce foot stimulation. In severe cases, surgery may be required. In addition to treatment, it is also important to pay attention to foot protection and comfort on a daily basis, such as regularly massaging, stretching, and exercising the feet, as well as wearing sports shoes that fit the foot shape, sports socks with thickened toes and heels and a design that distributes pressure evenly, which can not only help distribute foot pressure and improve circulation, relieve fatigue, enhance stability, reduce pain and discomfort, but also help absorb moisture and sweat through three-dimensional breathable mesh, keeping the feet dry, breathable, and cool at all times.
3. People who sit or stand for long periods of time
Sitting or standing for long periods can have a significant impact on health, especially on the lower limbs. When the body stays in the same position for a long time, the muscles and joints in the lower limbs gradually become stiff and fatigued, increasing the risk of venous insufficiency and deep vein thrombosis. Prolonged standing or sitting also affects the blood circulation in the lower limbs, causing blood to accumulate in the legs and feet, which increases the likelihood of plantar fasciitis, swelling, and pain.
Sitting or standing for long periods can have a significant impact on health, especially on the lower limbs. When the body stays in the same position for a long time, the muscles and joints in the lower limbs gradually become stiff and fatigued, increasing the risk of venous insufficiency and deep vein thrombosis. Prolonged standing or sitting also affects the blood circulation in the lower limbs, causing blood to accumulate in the legs and feet, which increases the likelihood of plantar fasciitis, swelling, and pain.
To reduce discomfort, whether you are office workers, drivers, receptionists, factory workers, teachers, doctors, nurses, service staff, or individuals who are in wheelchairs for a long time, suffering from diseases, traveling long distances, or sitting for long periods of time, it is necessary to stretch and exercise appropriately to help relax muscles, increase blood circulation and flexibility, and reduce stiffness and pain. In addition, wearing compression socks with pressure-enhancing features can help blood flow back to the heart and prevent it from accumulating in the lower limbs. For example, wearing sports compression socks can apply pressure to the arches of the feet to promote blood circulation, or wearing calf compression sleeves with circular compression design can support and wrap the muscles of the calf and arch of the foot, and provide effective shock absorption and cushioning to enhance foot comfort.
As mentioned above, wearing appropriate socks has a significant impact on foot comfort and shock absorption, especially for individuals with flat feet or plantar fasciitis. Wearing athletic socks with arch support and cushioning or towel-cushioned sports socks can effectively reduce the burden on the feet, improve foot pain and discomfort. For individuals who sit or stand for long periods of time, wearing socks with compression or pressure printing design can help improve lower limb blood circulation, reduce swelling and varicose veins, etc. In short, choosing socks that are suitable for oneself is very important for protecting the feet and improving comfort.
If you are looking for socks that can protect your feet, support your arch, or are suitable for sports, leisure, and various occasions, HandySocks Knit Custom Sock Factory can provide OEM/ODM services to create comfortable, versatile and stylish socks for you. Please contact us to find the most suitable Taiwanese-made socks for you!
2023-05-03