My acoustic neuroma brain tumor impacted my balance. Before I was diagnosed, I noticed in my fitness classes I was struggling some to stand on one leg. At the time, I assumed it was just the fact that I had recently gotten arch supports for the first time. It turned out it was my balance nerve and not the shoes altering my balance. However, I have since learned that shoes can play a big role in everyday balance.

After having my acoustic neuroma removed and my balance nerve severed, I had to relearn my balance. I did vestibular rehabilitation physical therapy, both while in the hospital and after discharge. I cannot recommend it enough. My vestibular therapist helped me so much, and taught me many useful things. One of these useful tips was that my balance would be best when I was barefoot, as the information my brain got from my feet touching the ground is very helpful for the vestibular system. I have found this to be very true in my life. I feel the most stable and rooted while barefoot. I can do yoga exercises barefoot that I cannot accomplish while wearing shoes.

I generalized this information beyond just bare feet to footwear, and I have found that the shoes I wear greatly impact my balance. The thicker the sole the more challenging the balance can be, which makes sense in light of the fact that barefoot is the best for balance.

Perhaps obviously, high heels are the most challenging. I can wear them, but I know it will take focus and energy. Sometimes, I choose not to wear high heels because I don’t want to spend my energy that evening on my footwear. When I am choosing whether or not to wear heels, I also think about the surfaces I will be walking on and the lighting, as both of those impact balance too. I know I would struggle to walk in heels on an uneven surface in the dark, so I would plan to wear different shoes in that scenario.

Soft heeled shoes can also present a large challenge, as they give underneath your foot and make balance harder. I really do not like memory foam shoes for this reason. They feel very unstable. I also dislike slippers because of this, and prefer a pair of cozy socks for the types of situations where slippers are frequently worn.

Another consideration when choosing footwear is the tightness of the shoe. A lace up shoe can offer better stability because it is more fitted to your foot than a slip on. It can help you feel like you know where your foot is in space and also steady your gait.

So, in general, I wear low heeled and flat shoes for my day to day life. I really like shoes that are converse-style that give me a better sense of the floor beneath my feet. I do use arch supports in them, to keep my feet well supported. I will occasionally wear high heels for a nice dinner out, but for a more adventurous outing like an outdoor wedding, I will likely just wear ballet flats. I have found choosing my footwear for balance success leads to a greater enjoyment of my life. Typically, I weight balance much more highly than fashion. However, I am very fortunate in having a very casual lifestyle where I can wear things like converse and Birkenstocks to work.