Preventing, Alleviating Pain Caused by High Heel Shoes

Backaches are a pretty common life occurrence. Things like sitting or standing improperly or just over using the muscles can cause pain. Back pain can also come from physical injury due to accident or simply bending the wrong way. Some sources of pain are unavoidable while others we bring upon ourselves. If you have a nagging back pain but you can’t figure out where it came from, you may want to consider your wardrobe.

Many women, myself included, love wearing high-heeled shoes. Not only are they stylish they can give you a bit of height and they help elongate the leg. Everywhere you look the ‘sexy’ woman is wearing heels. Victoria’s Secret models and businesswomen alike are constantly photographed wearing heels. It’s an image that has been burned into your mind since childhood. They can be sexy but they can also damage your back. Heels force your body weight to be thrown forward and the muscles in your back must work overtime to counteract this.

High heels have been around for almost as long as any other type of shoe. At one time heels were associated with being a person of privilege and wealth. In the 1930s the heel became associated with the fabulous starlet and the glamour that surrounded her. Playboy bunnies have been pictured with heels for decades cementing the ‘sexy’ image of the high-heeled shoe. What most women don’t know is that there is a steep price to pay for everyday use of high heels and there is nothing sexy about the results.

The Damage

Women who wear heels on a daily basis can suffer from not only back pain but also bunions, misshapen muscles, curvature of the spine, painful knee and hip issues and osteoarthritis.   That sounds sexy doesn't it?  Let's not forget fallen arches and unsightly calluses.

When you wear heels most of your body weight is pushed down on your toes instead of the entire foot. Heels also make your legs, feet and hips work against the way they were designed to work. This adds stress to your bones, muscles and tendons. Add the average 10,000 steps a day to that and you might understand why your feet and back are hurting.