Better Balance
Feet and Balance: How Your Base of Support Fits In
Your feet are the contact point between your body and the ground, so foot comfort, sensation and control can influence how standing and walking feel. But falls are rarely explained by the feet alone.
Balance is multisystem
NIA describes potential balance problems involving medications, the inner ear and medical conditions affecting vision, nerves, blood vessels and more. Foot issues can matter, but they sit inside that larger picture.
Footwear matters
NIA advises nonskid, low-heeled footwear for people coping with balance problems and warns against smooth soles on stairs or floors.
When to get help
Foot pain, numbness, wounds, major changes in sensation or repeated tripping deserve appropriate evaluation, especially if you have diabetes or another condition affecting the feet or nerves.