Women’s Foot Pain in Singapore: A Podiatrist’s Guide to What Every Woman Should Know About Footwear

Physio&SoleClinic Podiatry December 11 2025

Written by Ng Jia Lin, Principal Podiatrist at Physio & Sole Clinic & Women and Children Centre

As a podiatrist, one of the most common concerns I hear from women in Singapore is this:

“Why do my feet hurt so much? Is it my shoes?”

If you’ve ever come home with sore arches, aching toes, burning forefeet, or heels that throb after a long day, you’re not alone. Foot pain among women is extremely common, and your footwear plays a much bigger role than most people realise.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through why women tend to experience more foot pain, how everyday shoes like high heels, ballet flats, and office footwear affect your foot structure, and what you can do to protect your feet, without giving up style or confidence.

The Concern: Foot Pain in Women Is Extremely Common, And Often Ignored

Women in Singapore are often on their feet the whole day, commuting, standing at work, caring for their families, and trying to balance multiple roles. Add in footwear that’s narrow, flat, or unstable, and the result is predictable:

• Persistent arch or heel pain
• Pain under the ball of the foot
• Stiff, tired feet after walking
• Bunions or hammertoes
• Numbness or burning toes
• Achy legs and lower back discomfort
  

Women, compared to men, are more prone to foot pain due to a combination of biomechanical, footwear, and hormonal factors. In clinical practice, it’s not uncommon to see women who have endured pain for months or years, often believing it is “just part of being a woman.”

It does not have to be.

How Does Footwear Choices Cause Feet Pain?

Let’s address this by looking at the three shoe types most commonly associated with women’s foot pain in Singapore.

High Heels: Stylish… and Harmful in the Long Run?

Are high heels harmful to your feet? The short answer is: Yes, especially when worn frequently.

High heels shift up to 70–80% of your body weight onto the forefoot, creating intense pressure on the bones, joints, and nerves. Over time, this can lead to:

• Bunions (hallux valgus)
• Neuromas (nerve irritation between the toes)
• Forefoot pain (metatarsalgia)
• Shortened calf muscles
• Heel pain when switching back to flat shoes
• Increased risk of ankle sprains
  

In Singapore’s office culture, especially in sectors like finance, retail, and hospitality, many women wear heels daily, believing it is part of looking professional.

But chronic pain is never “normal,” no matter the job.

Ballet Flats: Better Than Heels? Not Always.

Are ballet flats better than heels? They may feel more comfortable at first, but most ballet flats cause a different set of problems because they offer:

• No arch support
• Paper-thin cushioning
• Loose structure
• A tendency to “slap” the ground (causing fatigue)
  

This often leads to:

• Plantar fasciitis
• Shin splints
• Achilles strain
• Toe gripping (“clawing”)
• Generalised foot fatigue
  

Many women tell me they switch to flats thinking they’re doing their feet a favour, but without support, flats are simply heels without height.

Office Shoes: The Silent Culprit

How do I choose the right office shoes? In Singapore, women often wear structured pumps or loafers to match corporate outfits. But many styles are:

• Too narrow at the toe box
• Too hard at the sole
• Too flat without arch support
• Too shallow, causing friction and blisters
  

Common resulting conditions include:

• Bunion progression
• Corns and calluses
• Heel pain
• Midfoot pain
• Tenderness along the arch
  

You don’t need orthopaedic-looking shoes, but you do need shoes that support your foot’s natural alignment.

Why Do Women Experience More Foot Pain Than Men?

Studies and clinical experience consistently show that women experience more foot pain due to:

1. Footwear choices

Women’s shoes tend to be narrower, thinner, higher, or less supportive.

2. Biological and hormonal factors

Fluctuating oestrogen levels influence ligament laxity, which affects foot stability.

3. Pregnancy-related changes

Increased weight load and ligament relaxation can flatten arches permanently.

4. Foot shape differences

Women generally have a narrower heel and wider forefoot, making many shoes a poor fit.

All these factors compounded daily, over the years, significantly increase the risk of chronic foot pain.

Can Poor Footwear Cause Bunions or Heel Pain?

Absolutely. While genetics play a role, footwear is the most common aggravating factor for:

Bunions

• Narrow toe boxes push the big toe inwards
• Heels and tight pumps worsen forefoot pressure
• High arches or flat feet accelerate bunion progression
  

Heel Pain (Plantar Fasciitis)

• Flat shoes overstretch the plantar fascia
• Hard soles increase impact
• Worn-out shoes reduce shock absorption
• Elevated heels shorten the calf, tightening the fascia when switching to flats

In Singapore, I often see women who develop bunions or heel pain in their 20s and 30s, not because of age, but because of years of poor footwear.

Why Do My Feet Hurt After Standing or Walking?

Pain after standing or walking is usually due to:

• Overloaded arches
• Tight calves
• Poor footwear structure
• Weak intrinsic foot muscles
• Hard flooring (common in malls, offices, and MRT stations)

Some women also have underlying biomechanical issues, such as:

• Flat feet
• High arches
• Overpronation
• Supination
• Leg length differences

Even if the pain seems mild now, it can progress quickly if the workload on your feet remains unchanged.

Should Women See a Podiatrist for Shoe-Related Pain?

Yes, and the earlier, the better. As podiatrists, we assess:

• Foot alignment
• Arch stability
• Joint mobility
• Muscle strength
• Pressure distribution during walking
• Shoe fit and suitability

Many women come in only after their pain is severe. But early intervention often prevents long-term issues that may eventually require surgery.

How Women in Singapore Can Protect Their Foot Health

Here’s the part everyone wants to know, what can you actually do?

I’ll break this into three practical categories:

1. Choosing the right shoes
2. Strengthening and stretching
3. Knowing when to seek podiatry care

How to Choose the Right Shoes (A Singapore-Specific Checklist)

1. Toe Box

Choose shoes with:

• A rounded or almond-shaped front
• At least a thumb’s width of space in front of your longest toe
• No squeezing around the big toe
  

2. Arch Support

Look for:

• Built-in support that are cushioning and comfortable
• Removable insoles (so you can fit custom orthotics if needed)
  
  Avoid:

• Completely flat shoes
• Thin “fashion” insoles that collapse within days
  

3. Heel Height

Aim for:

• 2–4 cm heel height
• Avoid > 5 cm for prolonged standing or walking

If you must wear heels:

• Choose thicker heels or wedges
• Rotate with supportive flats during the day
  

4. Sole Cushioning

Singapore floors are mostly hard tile or concrete, shock absorption is key.

Check for:

• Light flexibility at the toes
• Firmness under the midfoot
• Cushioning under the heel and forefoot
  

5. Fit Matters More Than Brand

A well-fitted $60 shoe is better than an ill-fitting $300 one.

6. Replace Shoes Regularly

If you walk a lot, replace your shoes every:

• 6–12 months
• Sooner if soles wear unevenly

Strengthening & Stretching Exercises for Women

These simple exercises relieve pain and build long-term resilience:

1. Calf Stretch (Wall Stretch): Relieves heel pain and forefoot pressure.

2. Big Toe Stretch: Reduces bunion-related stiffness.

3. Towel Scrunches: Strengthens intrinsic foot muscles.

4. Toe Spreading: Improves balance and forefoot mobility.

These take 5 minutes a day and can dramatically reduce discomfort.

When to Seek a Podiatrist

See a podiatrist when you experience:

• Persistent pain > 2 weeks
• Pain that worsens after wearing heels or flats
• Sharp heel pain in the morning
• A bunion that’s growing or shifting the toe alignment
• Burning or numbness under the toes
• Corns/calluses that keep returning
• Difficulty finding comfortable shoes
  

At Women and Children Centre, we provide:

• Foot posture analysis
• Custom orthotics
• Footwear assessment
• Exercise prescription
• Treatment for heel pain, bunions, and forefoot issues
• Collaboration with physiotherapists for full-body re-alignment
  

Early treatment helps prevent chronic pain and long-term structural changes.

Your Footwear Choices Today Shape Your Foot Health Tomorrow

Foot pain is not something women should “power through.” The right footwear and early podiatry care can prevent bunions, heel pain, forefoot pressure, and long-term structural problems.

Your feet carry you through every part of your day; they deserve care, support, and proper alignment.

If you’ve been experiencing ongoing foot pain, whether from heels, flats, office shoes, or standing long hours, don’t wait for it to worsen.

Book an assessment with us at Women and Children Centre, and let’s work together to keep your feet healthy, supported, and pain-free.