Singapore is often called a Garden City, with its lush greenery and multitude of walking trials across the island. As more park connectors continue to spring up in recent years, people of all ages have begun to discover the joys and benefits of putting one foot in front of the other to explore our green spaces. From individual’s unwinding after a hard day at work, to families with young children, the activity is also becoming increasingly popular amongst older folks. While walking is a good low-impact form of exercise, it can still cause foot pain if improper footwear is worn.

Did you know that many other muscular aches and pains can be traced to your feet? In fact, foot pain is a common issue that should be taken seriously as it can be the first sign of a potentially serious problem that may affect your daily life. If ignored, it can develop into other ailments such as knee and back pain. Fortunately, many foot pain issues can be remedied with the help of the right footwear, and in some cases, Custom Made Insoles. By taking this simple step, foot pain issues can be resolved by providing the necessary support for the muscles and joints of the feet.

Here is where Happy Walker comes in. Happy Walker, located at Northpoint City, is an established footwear chain in Singapore specialising in orthopaedic footwear. Their shoes are designed from the perspective of an engineer. Think of your body as a tall building, without the right foundation this would result in an unstable overall structure and can lead to a host of problems down the line. Simply wearing the right pair of shoes can create a solid foundation for this structure, and ensure that your body alignment and posture are well supported thereby reducing the likelihood of long-term aches and pains in other parts of the body.  

With its strong commitment to research and development and unique 3D Scanning Technology, Happy Walker provides a variety of orthotic footwear in different styles, to cater to the different needs of customers. We had the pleasure of speaking with Mr Teo Shu Tong, Certified Pedorthist, to talk about Happy Walker’s aim to provide comfortable and high-quality orthopaedic footwear. 

What are the common causes of foot pain?

Foot pain can be caused by multiple reasons, some foot issues may be related to the foot’s arch, alignment or other pressure distribution issues. Common foot problems that arise from the structure of the foot are issues such as flat feet or high arch feet. On the other hand, foot problems can also be caused by lifestyle or sports activities, such as metatarsalgia, where the ball of the foot becomes painful and inflamed from activities that involve running or jumping. 

There are different symptoms for different foot problems and they need to be treated accordingly. If you are unsure of the cause of your foot pain, it is highly advisable to seek advice and let our friendly consultant help you to do a detailed analysis to help you solve your foot pain.

Could you elaborate more on the 3D Foot Scan available at Happy Walker? How does the 3D scan work?

We are the first in Singapore to have our own orthotics lab to develop and use new technology. While plaster casting moulds are commonly used, Happy Walker is one of the first few companies worldwide to use the latest state-of-the-art 3D Scanning Technology to deliver a high measure of accuracy. These scanning images are converted into a 3D Computer-Aided Design (CAD) profile using exclusive modelling software. 

With inputs given by customers based on the foot analysis questionnaire, a customer’s unique 3D CAD profile is created. These are then converted to the Computer-Sided Manufacturing (CAM) model and sent for manufacturing. All Custom Made Insoles are manufactured in Singapore, and thus there is a short lead-time of only five days.

What makes Happy Walker stand out in the orthopaedic shoes market?

Happy Walker continues to strive for improvement and innovation. Our customised insoles are engineered using the principle of biomechanics and using state-of-the-art technologies to properly align the joints - putting your foot in its natural position for walking and standing. Coupled with our extra width and depth options, this will provide perfectly fitted, supportive footwear that is unique to a customers’ foot structure and their walking ways. The technology used is known as Happy Walker Custom Biomechanical Arch Support (CBAS).

What is the most important consideration for people who want to buy a pair of orthopaedic shoes? 

First of all, you will need to know what type of foot pain and problems you have in order for the team at Happy Walker to assist you in finding the right solution. There are different factors to consider when you are finding the right orthopaedic shoes for yourself such as the awareness of your foot function, considerations of any abnormalities, and foot conditions. With Happy Walker, you will gain benefits such as having the right support for your feet and ankles. This in turn gives you greater comfort that will improve your body alignment and help to alleviate many joint issues associated with foot pain.

What are the different ranges of footwear that you provide?

Happy Walker offers a large selection of orthotic footwear for men and women, which includes sports shoes, high heels, sandals, flip flops and even diabetic shoes. Besides footwear, we specialise in Custom Made Insoles specially crafted to your needs. 

With over 14 years of foot care solution experience, we are able to provide you with advice and assistance with choosing the right pair of shoes with Custom Made Insoles. Our footwear will not only relieve your foot pain, but also improve your walking gait, reduces the wear and tear of the knee cap, and can even help to reduce back pain.

--

Happy Walker’s philosophy is to help customers achieve a quality lifestyle through taking better care of your feet. Their friendly consultants are always available to do a detailed analysis of your feet and help you find the right solution for your foot pain. Happy Walker even provides a Mobile Home Service where you can book an appointment with them for Custom Made Insoles if you are suffering from foot pain that might affect your mobility. Just give the friendly team a call and they will be glad to arrange for an appointment for the team to come to you.

Head on down to Happy Walker’s Northpoint City outlet at North Wing, #02-08 and check out the wide variety of orthotic footwear available for your specific needs!