Merced Chiropractor

Addressing questions around high heels and foot pain can be very beneficial for women who wear heels. Nonetheless, they keep on wearing these uncomfortable and painful shoes for the sake of beauty and fashion. The human foot was not designed to wear high heels, and this is the main reason wearing them causes so much pain. A fashion expert may say that high-heeled shoes were not created for comfort and pain-free walking either. Walking and running with ease is the main purpose of our feet. Nevertheless , wearing high-heeled shoes can change the structure and shape of the feet, 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, inevitably forcing their bodies to redistribute their weight while creating unnatural pressure points and disrupting the natural alignment of our body. This is the point at which using high heel inserts can really be beneficial. Arch support insoles help by properly supporting our feet and preventing the tendency for them to slide forward.

There are numerous foot ailments related to wearing high heels. Some of the most common conditions include ball of foot pain, bunions, callous and corns, Achilles Tendonitis, hammertoe, among others.

Metatarsal pain, most commonly caused by wearing high heels continuously, happens when one or more of the metatarsal heads become inflamed due to too much pressure. This condition causes sharp pain of the metatarsal area of the feet, which is found below the toes. Wearing high heel orthotics can help to alleviate the pain caused by wearing high-heeled shoes.
Common symptoms of metatarsalgia are usually a tingling and/or burning feeling in the ball of the foot. Very thick calluses also tend to form in the same region.

How to Reduce Foot Pain When Wearing High-Heeled Shoes

• Ensure that your feet and toenails are clean always.
• Make sure to stretch before walking or strenuous exercise.
• Stick to a consistent heel height. Wearing shoes of several different heel heights can trigger swelling of the Achilles tendon.
• Stay away from narrow shoes.
• Refrain from wearing high heels every day.
• Purchasing shoes during the afternoon or evening hours can provide a better fit.
• Buy leather shoes instead of synthetics.
• Get regular foot massages to alleviate muscle soreness and improve circulation of blood.
• Have comfortable shoes available to you at all times.
• Hold back from purchasing pointed and extremely high heeled shoes}.
• Stay away from heels that are very skinny and don’t provide a lot of support.
• See a podiatrist if you feel constant pain in any part of your feet.
• Wear orthotic insoles to correct foot mechanics and walk more comfortably.

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