Oh my aching feet…and back!

Oh my aching feet…and back!

“If they ever do my life story, whoever plays me needs lots of hair color and high heels”.

     —Cherlize Theron

Who doesn’t like the way a women’s leg looks while wearing a 4-inch heel?  Most of us think that the extra 4 inches adds a sexiness to our overall look and will endure the pain and/or suffering we encounter as a result of wearing high heels for any length of time.  While an occasional occurrence of wearing your favorite heels may not have any lasting physical effects, if your foot never experiences anything but the unnatural arch and height of a stiletto day after day, you may be causing permanent damage to your feet.

According to an article by Colette Bouchez, Tips to Avoid Foot Pain from High Heels, on WebMD,  bunions, calluses, corns and hammertoes can result from long-term, extended wearing of high heels.  When women are in their 20’s, 30’s and 40’s,  we are more into “the look” that a high heel gives us, whereas when we reach our 50’s we are a bit wiser, more practical and are having to live with the physical pain or problems resulting from wearing the impractical shoes of yesteryear.  The American  Podiatric Association conducted a survey which revealed that 42% of women would wear shoes that were uncomfortable if they liked the style of the shoe, and 73% of those same women currently experience foot problems.   I ask myself “why?”  Why do we do something knowing that our actions may result in permanent damage to ourselves?

In the article, High Heel Horrors! by Pat Hagan for MailOnline, she states that increased pressure occurs on the ball of the foot the higher the heel is.  Hagan also sites that irreversible damage can be caused to the tendons by wearing heels.  As a result of the unnatural position a high heel puts on your foot, the Achilles’ tendon can be permanently damaged, making it nearly impossible for the heel lover to wear flats comfortably.  Something I’ve noticed this past year when shopping for shoes is that not only is the heel getting taller, but the heel itself is getting thinner, resulting in less stability.  When this occurs, the wearers’ center of gravity is greatly compromised, sometimes resulting in an ugly fall!  Approximately one in four women have suffered a fall while wearing their beloved heels.  I can see the headlines now, Beyoncé takes a spill, but damn, her shoes really rock! 

Another physical problem resulting in prolonged heel wearing are the problems that can occur to the spine and back.  An article by Dr

. Nevin, in the American Ostheopatic Association, titled, The Real Harm in High Heels sites, “The change to the position of your spine puts pressure on nerves in the back and causes sciatica, a condition where nerves become trapped, causing pain and numbness as far down as the feet”, according to Dr. Nevin.  I know from personal experience on those dressy occasions when I’ve pulled my heels from the closet, my lower back is aching by the end of the festivities and I can’t wait to get the shoes off, take some Aleve, pull on my jammies and snuggle up in bed!

Now I’m not advocating not to wear your heels; no, that’s far from the truth.   Personally, I still love to dress up and wear high heels on occasion.  I like the way they slenderize my foot and I just feel pretty when I squeeze my foot into that elevated piece of leather.  Who wouldn’t want to experience that feeling?  The difference now, however, is that now, in my late 50’s, my heels aren’t as high and I wear them for shorter and/or limited periods of time.

Stay fashionable but be wise and careful while navigating the “land of heels”!

                                                                        Until next time,

                                                                        Judy