Foot and Vein Damage from High Heels
Wearing high heels changes the biomechanics of walking and can have an impact on the entire structure of the foot and the relationship of the knee to the ankle, as well as your lower back. It puts more pressure on your feet per square inch. This means if you are overweight wearing high heels will put a lot of added pressure on your feet as you walk per square inch. High heeled shoes have been linked to many foot ailments like bunions, hammertoes, neuromas, metatarsalgia, Achilles tendonitis, ingrown toenails, and corns and calluses.
It also effects the veins in your legs by effecting the blood circulation. If you wear a heel that is more that 1.5 inches high every day, your calf muscle will not be effectively pumping blood out of the leg. You can try this at home. Feel how the calf contracts when you walk in lower heels and then switch to high heels. The foot simply moves forward in high heels, and you won't feel your calf contracting as you walk. This can lead to the development of varicose veins.
Try these Simple Steps to Minimize the Damage...
- Buy leather shoes, not synthetics. Leather is a natural material that conforms to your foot more easily then synthetic materials
- Wear heels that are no higher then 3 inches and beware of the pointy toed, stiletto shoe! These are a double whammy!
- Wear your heels less than 3 hours a day and regularly stretch your Achilles tendon and calf muscles at least every day if not twice a day.
- If you have constant knee pain, avoid heels all together! Osteoarthritis in the knee has been linked to chronic wearing of high heel shoes
- Try slimfit custom orthotic, like the ones pictured above, in your high heel shoes to shift weight off the ball of the foot back to the heel. This will improve body alignment and balance and reduce leg and lower back fatigue. These orthotics are available through our online product store.
- Always have a pair of comfortable shoes at your work desk to change into.
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