How Does Wearing High Heels Affect Your Feet?
High heels are everyday footwear for many people. If you experience discomfort after wearing heels, you’re familiar with some of the effects these shoes can have on your foot health. Heels can cause serious foot care issues over an extended period, which is why it’s important to take a few preventive steps when you plan to wear them. Learn more with this helpful guide.
The Impact of High Heels on Foot Health
Negative Effects
High heels force feet into an unnatural position where the bulk of a person’s body weight is distributed to the balls of the feet instead of the heels. This can lead to chronic pain since it’s not the way the foot was designed to function. Many women develop blisters and foot swelling after extended wear, and in some cases, muscle and ligament injuries in the feet and ankles.
Wearing high heels that are too tight may also cause blisters, ingrown toenails, and other issues related to toe compression. Should you trip and fall, you may experience more severe injuries because of the angle your foot is held at.
How to Prevent Issues
Wearing high heels less will reduce the risk of some issues. Try wearing them for no longer than four hours at a time. Also, the higher the heels, the shorter that period should be. Reduce wear-time by one hour for each inch of height. If you plan to wear heels at the office or a formal event, wear tennis shoes before and after to cut down on wear-time.
Quality shoes are also important. Your high heels should be well-cushioned and not too tight. If you find they’re uncomfortable, speak with a foot care professional about custom orthotics. These are designed to provide optimal support and protect your feet.
If heel pain or other foot injuries are common issues for you, contact Louis E. Tortora, DPM. This Fairfield, CT, podiatrist provides comprehensive foot care services, including treatment for calluses and corns, diabetic foot care, and sports injury therapy. You can explore this practice’s full scope of podiatry services online. Call (203) 254-0093 if you’re ready to schedule an exam.
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