Looking at Osteopathic.com, statistics show that high heels are one of the biggest factors leading to foot problems in women, with up to a third suffering permanent problems as a result of prolonged wear. These favorite sexy shoes, can cause a range of ailments, from ingrown toenails to irreversible damage to leg tendons. High heels have also been linked to overworked or injured leg muscles, osteoarthritis of the knee, plantar fasciitis and low back pain.
The increased weight on your toes causes your body to tilt forward, and to compensate, you lean backwards and overarch your back, creating a posture that can strain your knees, hips, and lower back. I'm willing to guess that most women that wear heels and experience the above symptoms, relate them to the shoes. The Huffington Post provides a really nice graphic illustrating the effects that these beautiful, sexy shoes have on our legs and feet.
I'm not in favor of eliminating heels, but like everything else, being knowledgeable about the effects, you are able to make some solid adjustments to minimize future problems. Here are a few tips:
- Wear heels on days that require limited walking or standing.
- Alternate your shoe choice throughout the day or from one day to the next. Don't wear your high heels all day; and wear more comfortable shoes, such as athletic or walking shoes for commuting to and from work. Wearing shoes that allow your body to move naturally during walking will allow your feet, legs, hips and back to stretch.
- Stretch. Take time every day to stretch your calf muscles and feet. Osteopathic.com recommends putting a pencil on the floor and try picking it up with your toes.
When wearing heels, keep in mind the above tips and listen to your body. Remember, it's not worth sacrificing your legs or feet for a moment of sexiness.
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