Tips for Wearing High Heels to Minimize Problems

Here are some tips to create less problems for those of you that will be wearing high heels. 

http://www.idahostatejournal.com/vac/how_to/well-heeled-tips-for-picking-high-heels-that-are-better/article_8b8e6569-ce83-5aff-a7a2-5f063a31e450.html

Solemates: A Stabilizing Device for Heels

http://thesolemates.com/how-it-works/

The Psyche behind the High Heel and why it is here to stay

This is great article on high heels and their appeal. Can alittle compromise be made with 30% reductions in overall wear and 3 times a day achilles stretching. Please!!

http://www.guardian.co.uk/fashion/2012/jul/21/high-heels-stilettos-fashion?newsfeed=true

Where are the Highest Heels worn in Europe?

This is a recent news release from Podiatry Management Online Magazine


Half of UK Women Willing to Suffer From Wearing Highest Heels in Europe

British women have tottered their way to the top by wearing the highest heels in Europe, with the average heel height at 3.3 inches. Some take it to even greater heights, with a quarter of British women surveyed (25%) wearing heels 4-6 inches high, and a skyscraping 3% braving heels that are more than 6 inches. In comparison, Spanish women wear an average 3.2 inch heel, Denmark 3 inches, Germany 2.7 inches and France 2.4 inches. 1 in 2 women (50%) are prepared to endure a level of pain they ranked as comparable with tooth ache and ear ache.

Lorraine Jones

Lorraine Jones, member of the Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists says "As a podiatrist, I recognize that with fashion as it is, wearing foot-friendly shoes is not always easy. However, wearing fashionable shoes occasionally is fine, and there are plenty of easy foot care treatments available at the local pharmacy that can help treat feet at home and avoid a trip to the podiatrist's clinic. The bonus is that with healthy feet, a woman can stand as tall as she wants in the highest of heels."

Source: Easier [7/20/12]

Dr Blake's comment: Women who wear high heels on a daily basis are encouraged to stretch their achilles tendons 3 times a day to prevent serious tightness from developing. A tight achilles tendon can make it hard to walk normally when not wearing heels and is blamed for a variety of medical problems like achilles tendinitis, plantar fasciitis, arch pain, metatarsalgia, and many others. The following video will demonstrate how to stretch your achilles properly.

This next video which features my wife Patty discusses some of the generalizations of the pros and cons of high heels.

And finally here is a link to the post of the components of a stable high heel shoe. At least, if your heels can be stable, you will have less problems.


http://www.drblakeshealingsole.com/2011/04/components-of-stable-high-heel-shoe.html

More on High Heels: So What do you think of Flatforms?

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/health/2011/0531/1224298131741.html

This article talks alot about the inherent dangers of very high heels, stating that 2 inches is a reasonably safe heel height for normal wear. The tightening of the calves can be balanced by daily stretches. I hope Lady Gaga hears that.

But,  this article also introduced me to the Flatform. I hope this can become a strong fashion trend. Looks safer!!

How High is Too High: Dr Suzanne Levine weighs in the High Heel Shoe Debate

Components of a Stable High Heel Shoe

     The high heel shoe is often verbally chastised for some of the problems it can cause. That being said I think it is important to understand its importance in our fashion industry and to analyze some of the components of a stable high heel shoe. Next time you are in the market for this shoe type consider this list of properties that may make your selection a little safer.

 Here is one of patients demonstrating a wonderful Beautifeel Shoe that really was stable. Even though not this year's model, here is a link to their line where you will find several shoes of similar qualities. You can use the criteria below to find shoes made by many companies.

http://www.beautifeelshop.com/?gclid=CNbFkt3YrKgCFcsZQgodZ197Hg

•  The heel area should be wide (Cuban style).

• The front area should also be wide

• The arch is comfortable and supportive

• The shoe should be easy to move through (from heel land to toe off) and not unstable in the heel/ankle area

•  There is a strap in front of the ankle which stablizes the arch side of the heel

•  The insole is cushioned and comfortable (protecting your foot)

• The front strap or toebox area really holds your foot in (this shoe has an adjustable strap) without torturing the big toe area (bunion) or your toes

• When landing on the shoe, the heel should engage only momentarily, with the weight transferring quickly to the arch and the front of the foot. You should not feel a jarring sensation when landing on the heel.

High Heels Shoes: A Fashion Accessory with Biomechanical Implications

High Heel Shoes have been loved and maligned for years. A True Love Hate Affair. From a Podiatrist's perspective, these wonders of the fashion world  have many interesting biomechanical aspects. The video above points to the pros and cons of wearing high heel shoes. The possible positive benefits include:

1. Greater Arch Support over Flats
2. Better Forward Shift of Body Weights over Flats
3. A More Relaxed Hamstring, with Less Lower Back Tension
4. With regular use, Foot, Ankle, Knee, and Hip Strengthening
5. Heel Lift producing less strain on Achilles Tendon

But, these are weighed down by the possible negative effects including:

1. Toe box crowding with gradual development of bunions and hammertoes
2. Ankle and Knee in more unstable positions
3. Positional Changes in the Low Back which may produce or aggravate symptoms
4. Gradual shortening of the ankle tendon, and hamstrings with possible symptoms

Four very common recommendations for regular high heel wears include: A) stretch the Achilles 3 times daily, B) stretch the hamstrings once daily, C) vary the heel height several times a day, with the lower or high heeled shoe having more toe box (yes, switch shoes--possibly a chance to shop!!), and D) use bunion protection with medium gel toe separators and Yoga Toes (or knockoffs)--see the separate post on Tips for Bunion Care and other related posts. I hope these simple, but effective,tips can allow you to wear high heel shoes for many years to come.