Foot Pain and High Heels: The Truth Behind the Heels

We often hear women complaining about their aching feet after a long day of wearing high heels, but they keep on wearing these uncomfortable and painful shoes for the sake of beauty and fashion. Little do they know that they could be causing serious, long-term damage to their feet and lower body if they keep wearing this type of footwear on a daily basis.

The primary reason why wearing high heels can cause sharp foot pain is that human feet were not designed for high heels. Looking at the other perspective, high heels were not designed for comfort and pain-free walking either. People's feet were created to provide us with balance and strength while we walk or run. However, wearing high heels can change the structure and shape of the feet, which not only causes pain along the way, but may also inhibit proper functioning of feet over time.

Women experience pain when they wear high heels because their feet slide forward into the shoes, inevitably forcing their bodies to redistribute their weight while creating unnatural pressure points and disrupting the natural alignment of our body.

There are numerous causes for foot pain related to wearing high heels. Some of the most common ones are metatarsalgia (ball of foot pain), bunions, callous and corns, Achilles Tendonitis, hammertoe, and many others.

Metatarsalgia, the most common effect of wearing high heels for prolonged periods of time, occurs when one or more of the metatarsal heads become inflamed due to too much pressure. This ailment, which is also known as ball of foot pain, is a painful condition of the metatarsal area of the feet, which can be found below the toes.

People who suffer from this condition usually feel burning and tingling sensation on the ball of the foot. There is also an excessive accumulation of callous in the same region. Wearing high heels for long periods of time can worsen the situation.

Tips to Minimize Foot Pain When Wearing High Heels

-Buy shoes in the afternoon or at night allows a better fit.

- Save your high heels for special occasions instead of wearing them every day.

- Opt for high heels that have chunkier heels than stilettos.

- Buy leather shoes instead of synthetics.

- Stay away from pointed and extremely high heeled shoes.

- Wear orthotic insoles for high heels to correct foot mechanics and walk more comfortably.

- Stick to one height. Having many shoes of different heel heights can lead to inflammation of the Achilles tendon.

- Go for wider shoes instead of narrow ones.

- Always bring spare running or tennis shoes.

- Keep your feet and toenails clean all the time.

- Get regular foot massages to alleviate muscle soreness and improve circulation of blood.

- Do stretches before walking or before doing any strenuous physical activity.

- Seek medical attention if you feel constant pain in any part of your feet.

Wearing high heels seems like a euphemism to the ancient tradition of foot binding. Let us all remember, that more than beauty and fashion, health and comfort should always be more important.