Tuesday, September 13, 2011

High heels - Back pain



Why are they good?
They  make us look taller - to other people as well as changing our perspective of the room.
They don't make you look fat - unlike low-rise jeans, or *gasp* spandex sportswear.
They transform an outfit -  jeans and a t-shirt can take on an entirely different look when a pair of heels is added and they add a feminine touch to suits as well.
They make us look & feel sexy - they change our body stance, making our calf muscles more pronounced, and forcing our butts and chests out -- it's nearly as if high heels force us into better posture , which is always sexy.
They're inexpensive - there are few things that can cost as little and make you feel quite as happy. (They cost you no calories. In fact you burn more in them, as your body uses stabilizing muscles to keep your balance/posture.)

Why are they bad?
High heel shoes cause you to lean forward and the body's response to that is to decrease the forward curve of your lower back to help keep you in line. Wearing high heels causes lumbar (low-back) spine flattening and a posterior (backward) displacement of the head and thoracic (mid-back) spine.
Your hip flexor muscles work much harder and longer to help you walk because your feet are held in a downward position (plantarflexed) and have reduced power to move your body forward.
The knee stays flexed (bent) and the tibia (shin bone) turns inward (varus) when wearing high heels. This position puts a compressive force on the inside of the knee (medial), a common site of osteoarthritis.
The position of the ankle may also cause a shortening (contraction) of the achilles tendon. This can increase the pull of the achilles tendon where it attaches on the back of your heel bone (calcaneus) and may cause a condition called insertional achilles tendonitis.
There is significant increase in the pressure on the bottom (plantar) of the forefoot. The pressure increases as the height of the shoe heel increases. For example wearing a 3 1/4 inch heel increases the pressure on the bottom of the forefoot by 76%. The increased pressure may lead to pain or foot deformities such as hammer toes, bunions, bunionettes (tailor's bunions) and neuromas.

What can we do about it?
Change shoes often. This allows your feet a change of scenery and reduces constant pressure on the different body parts mentioned above. Or go barefoot once in a while.
Wear the right shoe for the job: low heels or flat shoes if you are standing or walking around, sneakers for exercise, boots for inclement weather, etc.
If you must have height, try platform shoes. They help absorb the shock but give the illusion of a higher heel.
Foot soaks and massages are a nice treat. They help stimulate blood circulation. Pedicures are great for this!
Some people may find wearing compression stockings help. They're available in most pharmacies and medical supply stores, but you may want to speak to  your doctor or a podiatrist first.
There's always painkillers, but use this as a last resort. (You should never be in agony, so  please use good jugdment in the first place and you may not need to do this.)

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