Let’s face it ladies. The words “seven-inch stiletto” and “everyday wear” cause even the most daring fashionistas to cringe and curl their toes.We’ve all thought we could do it; that enthusiastic strut and twirl in a fabulous new pair of heels at the start of the day quickly devolves into the agonizing “how-could-I-have-done-this-to-myself” pilgrimage to the closest store for flats. Even a few hours clubbing in height-defying pumps is enough to compel some women to wave their little white flags of surrender as they wince and walk home barefoot. Yes, dramatic high heels can transform an attractive ensemble into a runway ready heart-stopper, but unless you intend on sitting, floating, or being carried around everywhere you go, donning these luxurious death stilts can be a very painful, unhealthy choice.
Christian Louboutin, the esteemed French footwear designer, is openly unapologetic about the subject. In an interview with Grazia, one of U.K’s premiere fashion magazines, he insists that “high heels are pleasure with pain…If you can’twalk in them, don’t wear them.” Let’s be honest. Anyone who can afford a pair of Louboutinswants to wear them no matter how much they hurt. But for those that believe the temporary pain of wearing high heels is always worth the cost might want to reconsider that perspective.Let’s investigate the true damage of subscribing to the idea that it always “hurts to be beautiful.”
Not only does the design of a high-heeled shoe cause one’s body to tilt haphazardly forward, but this unnatural distribution of weight virtually deforms the foot and shortens the muscles in the calves and lower back. This unhealthy posture places an inordinate amount of pressure on nerves in the back and can cause a painful condition called sciatica, which triggers spasms of pain and numbness. Additionally, a woman who wears high heels for extended periods of time at least three times a week can experience a shortening of her Achilles’ tendon. This can lead to plantar fasciitis: an inflammation or deterioration of the connective tissues in the foot.
Therefore, to be absolutely clear, wearing high heels to the point where it becomes painful to walk can cause irreparable damage to your body. Celebrities such as Sarah Jessica Parker and Victoria Beckham, who often flaunt wasp-thin stilettos,have recently disclosed that they must undergo surgery to either restructure bones in their feet or remove unsightly bunions. Parker reveals, “I went to a foot doctor and he said, ‘Your foot does things it shouldn’t be able to do. That bone there…You’ve created that bone. It doesn’t belong there’.”
On a separate but related issue, wearing seven-inch platforms inevitably increases your risk of falling over or into things. A woman who brazenly attempts to wear high heels without knowing how to walk gracefully in them increasesher possibility of falling down a flight of stairs, twisting her ankles, falling into oncoming traffic, and other countless tragedies.
It boils down to this: high heels, like everything else we wish to indulge in, should be worn in moderation. If you simply cannot give up your glorious pumps, recognize that a shoe of this design should not be worn for extended periods of time while walking. Here are some tips for women who seek reasonable common ground between seven soaring inches and day-to-day flats:
-Find heels that properly fit your foot shape and distribute weight more evenly.Platforms, and shoes with less dramatic “dips” will place less weight on the front of the foot.
-Many shoes feature pointed fronts that squeeze toes together, leading to corns, hammertoes, blisters and more. There are wider, rounded box-toe alternatives sold by popular brands like Dansko, found here.
-Add cushion inserts like these for comfort. Furthermore, either find footwear with reliable treading or buy shoe traction adhesives.
Marilyn Monroe once stated, “Give a girl the right shoes, and she can conquer the world.” Monroe’s keen observation packs a powerful proverbial punch: if it hurts too much to walk, you certainly won’t go very far. So weigh the risks of your fashion choices ladies, as we’ve got exciting places to go!
*This article has been contributed to Yourwellness by Britany Hoxie
Comments are closed.