Written by: Mallory Lor, C. Ped

In the span of our lifetime, an astonishing 200 million steps await us. Recognizing the pivotal role of proper footwear in this journey, Dr. Comfort stands as a beacon of understanding when it comes to the significance of your feet in your overall well-being. The ripple effect of foot discomfort can reverberate throughout your entire body. Our mission is clear: to craft a diverse array of shoes tailored to cater to an array of foot types. Our goal is to provide not only comfort but also the essential support and structural integrity your feet require.

It's imperative to acknowledge that wearing ill-fitting shoes can exacerbate existing problems. This realization underscores one of the core principles guiding Dr. Comfort's philosophy. We have meticulously curated a range of options, offering both full and half sizes, supplemented by three distinct widths: medium, wide, and extra wide. We understand that a one-size-fits-all approach does not do justice to the intricacies of human feet.

Diversity is not solely confined to sizes at Dr. Comfort; it extends into our diverse footwear collection tailored for every facet of life. Among them, our Lycra style shoes—Brian, Annie, Douglas, Carter, Betty, and more—are designed to accommodate various scenarios. These shoes exhibit a unique ability to stretch without exerting undue pressure or causing irritation, even in the presence of bunions or instances of swelling. Furthermore, the breathable and lightweight nature of Lycra material complements the overall experience.

For those seeking an active lifestyle replete with stability, our stability outsole shoes are poised to impress. Meet the likes of Gordon, Grace, Jack, Diane, Roger, and Ruth. These models incorporate a dual density outsole, a dedicated feature to enhance stability and support during walks. The carefully designed outsole includes an outward flare, contributing an extra layer of balance. Beyond function, these shoes effortlessly marry style with purpose.

Alternatively, if you're inclined toward lighter footwear, our collection has a range of appealing options. Embark on a journey with Meghan, Katy, Chris, or Jason. Their breathability and barely-there feel will make you forget you're wearing shoes at all. Bid farewell to post-walk fatigue; these models epitomize why "Comfort" is enshrined in our brand's name.

Not sure of what shoe style is best for your needs? Use our Shoe Finder to get recommendations based on your foot condition.

Dr. Comfort's commitment goes beyond mere sizes; it extends to addressing your individual needs. Whether you seek the perfect fit or a shoe tailored to your unique requirements, rest assured that Dr. Comfort has a solution. Our experienced designers and staff stand ready to assist, ensuring that your feet are catered to with the utmost care and expertise. Your journey to unrivaled foot comfort begins here.

The contents of this blog were independently prepared and are for informational purposes only. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not necessarily indicative of the views of any other party. Individual results may vary depending on a variety of patient-specific attributes and related factors.

Written by Mallory Lor, C.Ped

American Diabetes Alert Day is observed on the fourth Tuesday of March every year. This day is dedicated to spreading awareness about diabetes and its associated risks.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 37 million people in the United States have diabetes, and 88 million people have prediabetes, a condition that puts them at a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes. This makes American Diabetes Alert Day an important event, as it helps people understand the importance of preventing diabetes and managing the disease if they have already been diagnosed.

The theme for this year's American Diabetes Alert Day is "Take the Test. Know Your Score." The American Diabetes Association (ADA) encourages people to take the Diabetes Risk Test, which is available on their website. The Diabetes Risk Test is an excellent tool for people to assess their risk of developing diabetes. It is a simple and easy test that can be completed in less than a minute. However, it is important to note that the test is not a diagnostic tool, and people who receive a high-risk score should consult a healthcare professional for further evaluation.  You can find the Risk Test here.

There are several preventive measures people can take to reduce their risk of developing type 2 diabetes. These include:

• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Engaging in regular physical activity
• Following a healthy diet
• Avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption

People with prediabetes can also take steps to prevent the onset of diabetes, such as participating in a diabetes prevention program and making lifestyle changes.

For people with diabetes or even prediabetes, therapeutic shoes are specially designed footwear that provide additional support and cushioning. Diabetes can cause nerve damage and poor blood flow to the feet, leading to foot ulcers and other complications. Therapeutic shoes can help prevent these complications by reducing pressure on the feet, providing adequate support, and protecting the feet from injuries. They also have extra depth and a wider toe box to accommodate any deformities or swelling. By wearing therapeutic shoes, people with diabetes can reduce their risk of foot injuries and ulcers, leading to better overall foot health and quality of life. Whether you have diabetes, prediabetes or perhaps don’t have diabetes at all, Dr. Comfort’s therapeutic shoes are a great choice to keep your feet comfortable.

To find a Footwear Professional in your area click here.

The contents of this blog were independently prepared and are for informational purposes only. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not necessarily indicative of the views of any other party. Individual results may vary depending on a variety of patient-specific attributes and related factors.

Works Cited

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). National Diabetes Statistics Report. Retrieved from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/data/statistics-report/index.html. Accessed 3/20/2023.

Written by Brian Lane, C.Ped

Written by Erick Janisse, CO, CPed
Dr. Comfort® Education Department

Written by Erick Janisse, CO, CPed
Dr. Comfort® Education Department

Written by Brian Lane, C.Ped

Written by: Erick Janisse

The first Wednesday in April is celebrated as National Walking Day. As humans, walking is how most of us get around; but as exercise it provides great health benefits, too! According to a Special Health Report from Harvard Medical School, walking for 2.5 hours a week – that’s just over 20 minutes a day! – can reduce your risk of heart disease by as much as 30%.  Walking has also been shown to decrease the risk of developing diabetes, lower blood pressure and cholesterol, and even helps to keep you mentally sharp.  Dr. Thomas Frieden, who served as the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention under President Obama, has stated that walking is “the closest thing we have to a wonder drug.”

The Mayo Clinic - in an article titled “Walking: Trim your waistline, improve your health” - says that the faster, farther and more frequently you walk, the greater the health benefits.  They also recommend that you alternate periods of brisk walking with leisurely walking. This is known as interval training and has several benefits, like improving cardiovascular fitness and burning more calories than regular walking. Another advantage is that interval training can be done in less time than regular walking.

Of course, you should check with your doctor before starting any new exercise routine, but once you decide to get started there are a few things to consider. You’ll need to plan your routine.  Start slowly so that you don’t get discouraged and make a schedule that is practical and easy to adhere to. Having the right equipment is definitely an important consideration.  When it comes to walking equipment, obviously you think of shoes, right?  Dr. Comfort offers many great styles to get you started on your new fitness journey. Some women’s shoes that are specially designed for walking are the Grace, Diane, Refresh, Victory and Spirit.  For men, think about the Performance, Winner, Gordon, Jack and Endurance. These shoes are all quite supportive yet offer excellent shock absorption and cushioning, making for an overall comfortable walking experience.

Walking is the first step to living a healthy lifestyle.  Walking feels great, you can do it with a friend, it’s fun and, best of all, it’s free!

The contents of this blog were independently prepared, and are for informational purposes only. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not necessarily indicative of the views of any other party. Individual results may vary depending on a variety of patient-specific attributes and related factors.

The American Diabetes Association announces a new partnership to advance consumer resources for successful foot care

The American Diabetes Association^® (ADA), the nation’s leading volunteer health organization, announced a new partnership with Dr. Comfort, to provide foot care resources on an ADA platform in a journey-driven experience for those living with diabetes and their caregivers.

Dr. Comfort is the national sponsor of Living with Diabetes: Foot Care & Amputation. The Foot Care & Amputation section of the platform leads each user to learn to care for their feet, understand foot conditions and complications, ways to stay physically active, and more. Individuals living with diabetes and their caregivers can access this platform by answering a few simple questions to help guide them on their journey to reach the tools, resources, and education they need for successful foot care.

Every four minutes in America, a limb is amputated due to diabetes. This statistic is even more shocking when you consider that amputation is almost completely preventable. Education and resources are vital for those living with diabetes and this partnership will help arm millions of people with the information they need to prevent foot care complications.

“The ADA is working hard to help the over 34 million Americans with diabetes deal with and overcome the unique health complications they face on a daily basis such as foot complications. Through this personalized diabetes journey experience, we hope to meet them where they are to deliver the resources and education they need to thrive,” said Jacqueline Sebany, Chief Marketing and Digital Officer for the American Diabetes Association.

The journey was developed to deliver information to those living with diabetes based on self-identified need and interest, as well as where they are in their diabetes journey.

Click here to read the full press release: https://diabetes.org/newsroom/press-releases/2021/american-diabetes-association-dr-comfort-team-up-give-millions-living-with-diabetes-needed-resoruces-prevent-foot-complications

“Dr. Comfort is proud to continue to be at the forefront of helping people with diabetes live fuller lives through our partnership with the ADA.” – Raj Subramonian, SVP/GM Dr. Comfort

Written by: Erick Janisse

Did you know that over 11% of the U.S. population today has diabetes?  And, among seniors, the number rises to greater than 1 in 4 living with diabetes!  While diabetes can and does have markedly negative effects on the entire body, of special concern is the impact that diabetes can have on your feet. Diabetes can actually cause damage to the nerves in your feet that can lead to foot problems like ulcers that can take a long time to heal.

Luckily, there are many easy and simple things that you can do to prevent diabetes-related foot problems.  First and foremost is to prevent the nerve damage (also called peripheral neuropathy) from developing in the first place. The best way to do this is to keep your blood sugar levels under tight control.  Consistently high blood glucose levels are the leading cause of peripheral neuropathy.  Consult with your physician to make and implement a plan.  Also, ask your doctor to check your feet for neuropathy at least once or twice a year.

Protecting your feet is important, regardless of whether you have neuropathy (but it is of particular importance if you have been diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy).  Safeguarding your feet and preventing diabetes-related foot complications begins with wearing proper footwear – shoes, inserts and socks – and wearing them whenever you’re up standing or walking.  People with diabetes are strongly discouraged from walking around barefoot. When we talk about “proper” footwear, we mean shoes that truly fit your feet and have been fitted by an expert shoe-fitting specialist.  Shoes that fit the shape of your unique foot and aren’t too long, short, narrow, or wide.   Proper footwear also means shoes that provide cushion, support, and protection for your feet.

If you are enrolled as a Medicare beneficiary, you’ll be glad to hear that Medicare does provide coverage for special shoes and inserts for folks with diabetes and foot-related conditions.  The best way to begin this process is by seeing your podiatrist or primary care physician to get the process started. They will likely refer you to a therapeutic shoe fitting specialist in your area, or they may even be able to provide the shoes right in their office, as some podiatric practices do.  Medicare does require a lot of very specific paperwork to be completed by your doctor and the shoe supplier, so please be patient with them.

You may have read some pretty frightening things about diabetes and the feet in your online research but rest assured…all the scary things that you read about are largely (if not entirely) preventable!  Using great shoes is the first step!

Find a Dr. Comfort footwear provider in your area: Click Here

The contents of this blog were independently prepared, and are for informational purposes only. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not necessarily indicative of the views of any other party. Individual results may vary depending on a variety of patient-specific attributes and related factors.

Written by: Brian Lane

In our lifetime we will walk over 200 million steps. Of course, footwear matters!  At Dr. Comfort, we know how important your feet are to your overall health. When your feet hurt, you can hurt all over. Creating various types of shoes to address different feet is our job. We want your feet to experience comfort while getting the support and structure you need!

Wearing shoes not made for your feet can make problems worse. That is one of the reasons why Dr. Comfort offers full and half sizes with 3 available widths. It would be difficult to accommodate everyone’s foot by just one width or full sizes. Our sizes vary from a medium to an extra wide and we offer half sizes to ensure maximum fit!

Dr. Comfort also offers a variety of different footwear for all walks of life! Many of our Lycra style shoes (Brian, Annie, Douglas, Carter…) have the ability to stretch without causing pressure or irritation to a bunion or during times of swelling. In addition, the Lycra material makes these shoes very breathable and lightweight.

Are you staying active and need stability? Then let me introduce you to our stability outsole shoes---Gordon, Grace, Jack, Diane, Roger and Ruth. These styles have a dual density outsole for increased stability and support while walking. The durable outsole has an outflare for additional balance and these shoes style to go with their function!

Another option is finding a shoe that is lighter in weight. We have several styles to offer! Try the Meghan, Katy, Chris or Jason as these shoes look good and feel great! They offer breathability and you will forget you have these shoes on your feet! Goodbye fatigue at the end of a long walk, these shoes are one of the reasons why “Comfort” is in our name!

Whether you need the right size or need a shoe for your specific needs, Dr. Comfort has you covered!  The experience of designers and staff can help to fulfill your needs for your feet.

The contents of this blog were independently prepared, and are for informational purposes only. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not necessarily indicative of the views of any other party. Individual results may vary depending on a variety of patient-specific attributes and related factors.