Wearing High Heels Without Pain. Is It Ever Possible?

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High heels are always trendy

The American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) conducted surveys which indicated that almost half of all American women wear high heels. The survey also showed many of them are doing serious harm to their bodies.

Women wear high heels for a variety of reasons. Those who are short want to add a bit of height to their stature, while others feel it increases their sex appeal to the opposite sex. Many are also slaves to fashion, and if high heels are trendy, they will follow suit.

The surveys also reported that 71% of women complained that their feet hurt from the high heels, and noted that impact of the discomfort actually goes far beyond sore feet alone.

How high heels can do damage over time

Your head is supported by the neck, spine, pelvis and ankles, all in a well-balanced line. When you slip into a pair of high heels (especially stilettos) with narrow toes, the entire spinal system is thrown out of alignment.

The APMA has confirmed that the weight distribution is shifted forward because the foot is no longer flat on the ground. All of the weight has shifted and is now on the ball of the foot. This leads to pain in the feet and ankles because the skeletal bones are out of balance.

Although this skeletal damage has been proven by research, most women seem not to be troubled by this when they are younger. However, in later life some of the damage done may be irreversible.

But there is a healthier way to wear high heels that will not result in pain or do any permanent damage to your body.

How to make the most of wearing high heeled shoes

In spite of all the warnings, women who are attached to their high heel shoes will continue to wear them. Fortunately, if you take the appropriate action, you can still wear your heels without any of the pain.

Here are some of the ways you can avoid high heels doing damage to your body.

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Before you go shopping for high heel shoes, make sure that you know your actual foot type. A podiatrist might be the best person to help you, and advise you whether your foot is more narrow than wide, and if you have a relatively high or low arch. But a podiatrist costs money, so if you want to save some, find a shoe store who has a knowledgeable assistant who can help you asses your foot type. Remember to measure both feet.
A shoe store usually has several brands available, and sometimes there are differences in same-numbered sizes between brands. The solution is to try on plenty of shoes with a variety of heels to see which one suits you best. Walk around the store to make certain it is a proper fit, and your toes do not feel squashed.
Unless you are hell-bent on having them, try and avoid thin, high stilettos, with thin soles. Stilettos may make your legs look good, but they might cause your foot to wobble and you could end up with a sprained, or worse – a broken ankle. Thin soles are known to give pain at the bottom of the foot, since there is nothing to absorb the pressure when you are walking or standing.
When choosing a high heeled shoe, make sure that the shoe has the heel directly under your heel bone for the best possible support, rather than at the back of the foot.
Opt for a shoe style that gives quite a bit of cover for the top of your foot. This helps to ease discomfort you may feel as the day goes on. Some folks have reported that a high-heeled boot which covers the entire foot is an excellent option for a pain-free day in heels.
Consider a more comfortable style for everyday wear. A thicker, more stable type of heel such as a platform, wedge, or a chunky type will provide more support and distribute your weight more evenly. There are several attractive styles available in these type of shoes which will still make you look great and give shape to your legs. Save the stilettos for special occasions that have an outfit to match.
Choose a safer healthier shoes. Note that this does not have to mean the old-time sensible shoes, which conjures up visions of old ladies with thick stockings and unattractive footwear. There are factors which a healthy shoe should have, namely a thickish soul that can act as a shock absorber, inner cushioning for comfort, and most importantly – arch support.
Before you select your footwear for the day, try and figure out how much you may be running around, and choose accordingly. Stilettos would not be the best choice if you are going to be on your feet most of the day.
If you do wear stilettos on specific days, kick off your shoes from time to time if you are sitting at a desk, and give your feet a break. Your calf muscles will not get too strained, and any pain to the pads of your feet will be reduced.
Studies have shown that the over-the-counter products which are marketed specifically for high heel shoes really do help keep the pain away. Known as metatarsal foot pads, they are made of a silicone gel and help to hold your foot steady in the shoe. The pads also combat pain under the ball of the foot.

So yes, if you follow the rules you can wear your sexy high heels without too much discomfort. Try not to wear them every day, but when you do, some stretching of the leg muscles with the toes pointed down before going to bed will help to keep the muscles from stiffening up and putting strain on the Achilles tendon.

The key to wearing high heels with as little discomfort as possible is make sure that you buy shoes that fit properly.

An ill-fitting heel has the potential to precipitate pain, and possible future disaster for your entire skeletal system. If this happens, you may reap painful consequences in later life.

References:

www.wikihow.com

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