High heel pain

High heels pain is caused as high heels lift the heel of the wearer higher than the toes. A high heel vs. proper foot wear is synonymous to sexy look vs. healthy looks. High heels define calf muscles; arches lower back, thrusts out chest and give a sexy look to the wearer. Women suffer from more foot problems than men. Wearing high heels is one among the reasons. High heel pain is a common problem suffered by most of the women

Believe it or not, a popular brand considers less than 2.5 inches (6 cm) as low heel, between 2.5 and 3.5 inches (8.5 cm) as medium heels and over 3.5 inches as high heel.

High price of high fashion - High heel pain

Foot pain
High heels increase pressure on foot resulting in unbalanced distribution of weight on foot. As a result of unbalanced distribution of weight the pressure points are formed on foot resulting in foot pain. Normally 60% of the body weight is born by heels and the rest i.e. 40% by the forefoot. But when you wear high heels this weight distribution ratio of 6:4 is disturbed which results in shifting of excess weight to fore foot and subsequently foot pain.

Foot deformities
Most of the high heeled foot wear squeezes toes into narrow toe box resulting in overlapping of toes or misshape. Narrow toe box results in Bunion, Mortons neuroma or Hammer toe which will result in pain and numbness. Friction from footwear results in corn, calluses, ingrown nails and painful blisters. Soft tissues on the heel which acts as a cushion to enable proper weight distribution can also be damaged as a result of wearing high heels leading to high heel pain.

Back and neck problems
In normal gait 60% of the weight is borne by heels and 40% by the forefoot. But when we wear high heels the whole weight of the body shifts to the ball of the foot (fore foot), as a result the ligaments of the foot contracts. This will in turn lead to shortening of calf muscles which stretches and strains back and neck muscles and leading to imbalance. Higher the heel, more the strain...

Knee pain
High heels escort not only foot pain but also knee pain. High heels increase the rotational stress on the knee thereby straining knee, leading to severe pain. High heels increase the pressure on the knee upto26%. The cartilage that acts as a pad between the bones of the knee absorbs nutrients from the fluid in the knee. Stress on knee due to high heels reduces absorption of the fluid resulting in wear and tear of the cartilage and arthritis sets in….

Tendon problems
High heels result in the shortening of Achilles tendon, causing high heel pain and Achilles tendonitis. Wearing high heels tilt the heel up and compress Achilles tendon. Stretching of Achilles tendon and calf muscles every day will help you lessen pain. Application of ice bags on the Achilles area also helps.

A spoonful of precaution for high heel pain

Follow these tips if you prefer to wear high heels even after reading the above article
* Avoid wearing high heels for more than 3 hours a day.* Say no to heels over 2 inches (5 cm)*Prefer comfort pumps with arch support and cushioning*Go for shoes with enough toe box (square or round toe box rather than pointy ones)*Choose shoes with wide heels* Opt foot wear made of soft leather over synthetic footwear