|
|
Heels or Health?
November 1, 2008
By Gray MacDonald
High-heeled shoes have been worn for centuries to obtain the desired look of proportion and symmetry. The essential accessory gives women everywhere that extra bit of poise, but at what cost? William Lockner, DPM, a Twin Cities podiatrist, and Kofi Robinson, a corrective exercise specialist, weigh in on the long-term effects of our favorite footwear.
|
The Must-Have Sky-High Stilettos
Pros: Turning heads . . .
Cons: The body’s natural stance is ninety degrees in relation to the earth. “A four inch heel launches you an additional forty-five degrees forward,” Kofi explains, “and your body will overcompensate to level your head, taking your body out of perfect posture.”
Effects of Long-Term Wear: Your body will eventually adapt to this dangerous trend. Lockner says, “When women get older and stop wearing heels, the Achilles tendon has shortened adaptively because it hasn’t been stretched, and they have a hard time wearing anything else.”
|
|
The Classic Pointed Toe Kitten Heel
Pros: According to Lockner, having a lower heel puts less pressure on the ball of your foot and allows your weight to be more evenly distributed.
Cons: “On the other hand,” Lockner says, “pointy is not good. If the toes are crammed, bunions and hammertoes are bound to form.”
Effects of Long-Term Wear: Exercise routines can be performed and custom-made orthodics can be worn, but in many cases the only answer is (cringe) surgery.
|
|
The Latest Trend: Chunky Heel, Round Toe
Pros: Lockner prefers a rounder toe box and a heel with a larger diameter: “The broader the base of the heel, the more stable you will be.”
Cons: You are still wearing heels, my dear. “Just because you’re pain free does not mean you are problem free,” Kofi says.
Effects of Long-Term Wear: Kofi breaks it down, “Basically, if your shoulder girdle is off or your head carriage is off, you are going to have an issue with function.” You could develop anything from Hyperlordosis, or an over extension of the knees and spine, to problems with digestion.
|
|
Our Options
Switch Up Your Footwear: According to Lockner, you can minimize long-term effects simply by alternating the size of your heel.
Work It Out: Kofi recommends some key strengthening exercises: “Some people will have really tight hamstrings or hip flexors, others will have a tight lower back. Whatever is tight, we stretch; whatever is weak, we strengthen.”
If The Shoe Fits: “A shoe that doesn’t fit properly can cause more problems than a properly fitted high-heel shoe at a reasonable height,” Lockner says.
Minimize Exposure: Stash a pair of comfortable shoes in your bag to throw on to and from work.
Create an Illusion: A trick Kofi tells clients? “You can create the same desired look simply by increasing your hemline and shortening your heel.”
|
|
|
» Recent Health Features
|
» MEDICAL GUIDE
|
|
|
© 2009 MSP Communications, Inc. All rights reserved