Ask a Podiatrist: Expert Answers to Your Foot Health Questions

Foot pain can be frustrating, confusing—and easy to ignore until it starts affecting your whole day.

We’ve heard from so many of you who just want answers. Why does your heel hurt first thing in the morning? Which shoes actually help with arthritis? These questions aren’t just about feet—they’re about staying active, doing what you love, and living life with fewer limitations.

That’s why we teamed up with Dr. Shine John, a board-certified podiatrist and foot and ankle surgeon. We collected your most-asked questions and brought them straight to the expert. His goal? To give you clear, helpful answers—so you can stop guessing and start healing.

If you’re tired of feeling stuck or sidelined by foot pain, this is for you. You don’t need to have all the answers—you just need to know where to start.

Let’s take the first step together.

Meet the Guide: Dr. Shine John

With over a decade of training and experience, Dr. Shine John is a Fellowship-trained, dual board-certified foot and ankle surgeon based in Austin, TX. From reconstructive surgery to preventative care, he’s helped thousands of patients move better, feel better, and live better.

Now, he’s sharing his insight with you.

FAQs

I’ve had foot pain following surgery, injury, or nerve damage. What are my options for finding long-term relief and choosing the right footwear to stay active and avoid further issues?

Sorry to hear that you are still having foot pain after surgery. In order to help figure out long term relief options, I would recommend seeking out a 2nd opinion with a foot and ankle specialist at some point. Having supportive well fitting shoes, with ample room in the toe box, soft upper materials such as full mesh, and adequate midsole cushioning.

I have ongoing foot and ankle pain related to gait issues like pronation, supination, or fallen arches. What can I do to find relief, improve stability, and choose footwear or support options that actually work?

Generally speaking, trying to support fallen arches with supportive shoes is a great start. You want to have shoes that provide adequate midsole support. Based on the severity, custom orthotics may also be necessary for the situation.

I have flat feet, foot pain, or unique foot shapes like bunions or wide feet. What can help with arch support, reduce discomfort, and provide a stable, comfortable fit—especially for all-day wear?

Those with issues such as bunions and wide feet, will need to seriously consider the build of the shoe. A wide base/sole shoe will be key. Getting a shoe with soft upper mesh materials, and no hard seams is also important to avoid pushing into the bunion or other bony prominences. We try to avoid shoes that create a squeeze of the foot, especially in places of bony prominences.

I experience foot pain during daily movement, walking, or standing for long periods. What causes this discomfort—and what shoes, treatments, or support options can help me stay active and on my feet comfortably?

Many factors can contribute to this. So this is challenging to answer without getting into specifics. Generally speaking, try to support your arches with supportive shoes with adequate built in midfoot support. Ample cushioning at the heels and forefoot area provide comfort for standing and walking. Some patients may also need custom orthotics to provide an additional layer of stress distribution.

I’m dealing with nerve-related foot pain, neuropathy, or conditions like tarsal tunnel or plantar fasciitis. What treatments, footwear, or non-surgical options can help manage pain and improve comfort?

Treatments can consist of physical therapy, modification of footwear, use of orthotics, injection therapy, oral medications for nerve issues, oral anti-inflammatories, Laser therapy and shockwave therapy can all be considered.

I’m experiencing heel pain, burning, swelling, or nerve-related discomfort in my feet—even without obvious causes. What could be going on, and what steps can I take to find lasting relief and the right support?

Broadly speaking, this is referred to as neuropathy. These types of symptom complaints can be related to a number of issues. A thorough workup by a Podiatry foot specialist would be necessary. Trying to cover the basics, such as use of well constructed supportive shoes is a good start. Orthotics can be helpful to distribute stress evenly across the foot, and can be made to be protective of feet. Weight management, diet control, exercise and stress reduction are also good measures to adopt.

I have pain in my toes, the top of my foot, or the ball of my foot—possibly from neuroma, arthritis, or previous injuries. What can help relieve the pain and support these sensitive areas when I walk or stay active?

Shoes with adequate toe box room would be useful. I emphasize the need for ample space in the shoes for the foot and toes. We want there to be room for the foot to expand as you spend more time standing and walking. Shoes with great structured cushioned sole technology such as KURU can help offload and alleviate stress and pressure to the foot.

How can I find shoes that truly fit—especially with issues like bunions, corns, high or low arches, foot swelling, or sizing differences? What should I look for in supportive footwear that relieves pain and fits comfortably all day?

I would encourage you to find a specialty shoe store, and have them properly size your feet for length and width. Knowing this will help guide the way to purchasing the proper shoe size and width for you. Brand selection is also key. KURU among a few other brands specialize in crafting shoes that have these issues in mind. KURU shoes are made with good inherent width, quality materials and construction to support the foot, while also providing adequate room and cushioning,

I have bunions, hammertoes, heel spurs, or other structural foot issues that cause ongoing pain. What footwear, support, or non-surgical treatments can help me stay active and relieve discomfort throughout the day?

I recommend exercises to help strengthen your feet and work on the imbalances. Exercises such as toe flexion and extension, and spreading the toes out are helpful. I recommend toe spreading devices to stretch and relax the toes. Daily stretching of the leg and foot are important. There are great online video resources made by physical therapists for specific foot strengthening and stretching exercises. Appropriate fitting shoe gear, with structured cushioning can help prevent aggravation of these issues.

I’m dealing with Achilles tendinitis or pain near my heel from overuse. What causes this, and what kind of footwear or treatment can support healing and help me stay active?

For plantar fasciitis specifically, I recommend starting with the basics. I recommend doing plantar fasciitis specific physical therapy, which include things such as stretching out your calf muscle as well as your plantar fascia. Ice rolling with a water bottle is helpful (KURU’s website has great info about these tips).

You definitely want to avoid barefoot impact or use of flimsy flexible shoes. Shoe gear is important in this. You want to use well constructed shoes that have good mid foot arch support, as well as structured cushioning for the heels.

Oral and or topical anti-inflammatories are useful in more moderate cases. In more severe cases, therapeutic injections may become necessary to reduce the pain.

If your condition is more severe, I would recommend consulting with a Podiatrist to explore more advanced options such as Shockwave therapy, Platelet Rich Plasma injections, or possibly surgery.

I’m dealing with plantar fasciitis, heel pain, or recovery from foot injuries—and it’s affecting my stability and daily movement. What treatments and footwear options can help relieve pain, support recovery, and prevent future flare-ups?

For plantar fasciitis specifically, I recommend starting with the basics. I recommend doing plantar fasciitis specific physical therapy, which include things such as stretching out your calf muscle as well as your plantar fascia. Ice rolling with a water bottle is helpful (KURU’s website has great info about these tips).

You definitely want to avoid barefoot impact or use of flimsy flexible shoes. Shoe gear is important in this. You want to use well constructed shoes that have good mid foot arch support, as well as structured cushioning for the heels.

Oral and or topical anti-inflammatories are useful in more moderate cases. In more severe cases, therapeutic injections may become necessary to reduce the pain.

If your condition is more severe, I would recommend consulting with a Podiatrist to explore more advanced options such as Shockwave therapy, Platelet Rich Plasma injections, or possibly surgery.

What’s Possible When You Have the Right Answers

When your feet hurt, it’s hard to show up as your best self. You cancel plans. You slow down. You stop doing the things you love. But it doesn’t have to be that way.

With the right support—and a better understanding of what your feet need—you can move forward with less pain and more confidence. KURU is here to help you get there.

About Us

At KURU, we're on a mission to help you Heel Better™ with footwear technology designed to relieve foot pain, so you can live a life you love. Since launching our innovative technology in 2008, we’ve received more than 39,000 five-star reviews from thousands of customers who tell us their KURU shoes helped them get back to doing what they love.

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