On a recent encounter with patients, I met Irene, an air-hostess by profession, complaining of back and knee pain. After examining her, I came to understand that this was a case of occupational hazard!? Many women wear heels as a style statement, but it is affecting their health in the long run.
As per South Florida Sun-Sentinel's "High Heels Hazards (2006)", 72% of women wear high heels at some time.
Effects of wearing High-Heels
- • Foot pain-Wearing heels can cause increased pressure due to unequal weight distribution. This leads to sharp pain in the toes, soles, arches, or heels. Higher the heels, more are the impact. The heel-to-toe gait pattern is also interrupted.
- • Blood Flow-Wearing high heels can cause constriction in the flow of blood.
- • Bunion and Hammer-Toe-Wearing high-heels can lead to bunion and hammertoe.
- • Knee pain-High-heels put too much pressure on the knee, mostly on the inner side. With time, there is wear & tear that can lead to osteoarthritis and knee pain.
- • Hyper-extension of toes-Toes may start remaining in permanent hyper-extension with extended use of high heels.
- • Calf muscle pain-Pain and spasm, and sometimes crams in calves can be felt. This also shortens the Achilles tendon.
- • Low back pain-Increase in lumbar lordosis (hyper-lordosis). This changes the bio-mechanics causing pain in para-lumbar musculature.
- • Postural deviation-Wearing high heels put increased pressure on the forefoot that causes the rest of the body to maintain balance. The lower body leans forward, and to compensate, the upper body leans backward.
- • Hip pain-Hips tilt forward to maintain the biomechanics resulting in stiffness of hip muscles.
What you could do to Help
- • Avoid high-heels or pointy footwear
- • Stretching of gastrocnemius and soleus muscles, and feet before and after putting high heels. Massaging foot and calves at the end of the day is helpful.
- • Avoid heels more than 2”
- • Add orthopedic pads to heels.
- • Select platform wedges instead of pointed high-heels
- • Strengthening exercises of lumbar para-spinal muscles
- • Consult your Physical Therapist
