Women have been wearing high heel shoes since the Renaissance time period. Although they didn’t have the stilettos that modern day women sometimes wear, it was the beginning of an undying trend that has now begun to take effect on the feet and body of high heel wearers. Some women, today, may even complain that they are unable to wear high heels because of pain. But are heels still doing damage even if the wearer deems them comfortable?
High heels do damage not only to feet, but also to the rest of the body. Posture changes when wearing heels, no matter how well accustomed the woman is to wearing a pair. Knees bend a little more, backs aren’t as straight, and hips have more pressure on them in general. This all creates different strains on the body. The lower leg and foot definitely get the worst of damage. Your calf muscles tighten from being in a contracted position when walking in heels. Your metatarsal bones, ending at the ball of your foot, are what bear the majority of your weight when wearing high heels. This is what creates the pain in the ball of your foot when you wear heels, but there is potential for even worse damage; there have been cases where the metatarsals fracture due the strain of weight-bearing. Bunions can also form from wearing heels and can be extremely painful, causing the toes to curl in an unnatural position.
High heels are obviously not good for your body especially when wearing them for long hours. Unfortunately, many places of work require mandatory semi-formal wear for their employees and therefore, women wear heels as part of their business attire. To prevent damage to your body, make sure that if you have to dress semi-formal for work, switch off with flats every other day or bring an extra pair of flat shoes with you to work to give your feet a break. Massage therapy can also help with tight calf muscles and strained or achy feet muscles. Foot massages feel great and are great for preventing damage. If your feet are sore, book a massage today!