Foot pain and high heels is a very common question among women who wear them, so it needs to be addressed. In spite of this, many women continue to wear these shoes that cause them so much pain just because of aesthetics. The primary reason why wearing high heels can cause sharp foot pain is that human feet were not designed for high heels. Looking at the other perspective, high-heeled shoes were not designed for comfort and pain-free walking either. The main purpose of our feet is to give us balance and the ability to walk and run. However, wearing high heels can damage the bones and soft tissue of the foot, which not only causes pain along the way, but may also inhibit proper functioning of feet over time.

High heels can cause women pain because the feet tend to slide forward, this forces the body to redistribute its weight in an unnatural way, which changes the optimal alignment of the body. There are multiple benefits from using high heel shoe insoles. Orthotics help by giving our feet proper arch support and preventing them from sliding.

Wearing high heels can cause many different foot problems. Some of the most common conditions include metatarsalgia ( ball of foot pain), Achilles Tendonitis, hammertoe, calluses, corns, bunions, and many others.

Metatarsal pain, a common effect of wearing high heels for prolonged periods of time, happens when one or more of the metatarsal heads become inflamed due to too much pressure. This ailment causes severe pain of the metatarsal area of the feet, which is found below the toes. Wearing orthotics for high heels can help to alleviate the pain caused by wearing high-heeled shoes.
Symptoms of metatarsalgia ( ball of foot pain) are characteristically a tingling and/or burning sensation around the ball of the foot. Very thick calluses also tend to form in the same region.

How to Decrease Foot Pain When Wearing High-Heeled Shoes

  • Make sure that your feet and toenails are clean always.
  • Foot massages can help keep your feet feeling their best.
  • Go for wider shoes instead of narrow ones.
  • Stay away from heels that are very skinny and don’t provide a lot of support.
  • Make sure to stretch before walking or strenuous exercise.
  • Seek medical attention if you feel constant pain in any part of your feet.
  • Buying shoes in the afternoon or at night allows a better fit.
  • Keep to one heel height. Using shoes of many different heights can trigger inflammation of the Achilles tendon.
  • Save your high heels for special occasions instead of wearing them every day.
  • Don’t buy pointed and extremely high heeled shoes}.
  • Have comfortable shoes available to you at all times.
  • Wear orthotics to correct foot mechanics and walk more comfortably.
  • Buy leather shoes instead of synthetics.

It is important to remember that healthy feet are much more important than style and fashion for our long-term health and well-being.


Filed under: Health and Fitness

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