The Impact of Using High-Heel Shoes on Women’s Health

Alvin

The impact of using High-heel shoes on women’s health. A large number of women habitually wear high-heeled shoes (high heels). Which are widely regarded as an important feature of their femininity. Across a wide range of cultural contexts. According to information that has been brought to our notice. There is an explicit and implicit requirement to wear high heels. It has been established in past investigations and reviews. That wearing high heels is detrimental to one’s physical and mental wellbeing.

The evidence base, on the other hand, continues to be fragmented. And no complete study has been done that incorporates. Both to the impact of epidemiological and biomechanical studies.

Aside from that, no study has taken into consideration the psychosexual benefits of high heels. Which give crucial context for understanding the public health threat posed by these shoes.

The wearing of stilettos or high heels may be stylish. And they may make you appear taller and sexier, but at what cost? In addition to causing a range of foot illnesses when worn with high heels. They can also impair one’s stability and increase the likelihood of injury. Aches and pains in the legs, back. Or feet are just a few of the more common problems that people suffer. If used for an extended period of time, it is conceivable that structural abnormalities in the foot will develop. Resulting in bunions, hammertoes, and other diseases that may demand surgical intervention in the future.

Additionally, the impact of high heels place an excessive amount of stress on the back and lower extremities. Which can have an adverse effect on posture, walking, and balance. High heels should be avoided at all costs.

Posture

In every situation in which your foot is forced into a plantarflexed (downward extended) position.The pressure on your forefoot increases, increasing the possibility of an injury happening. In order to compensate for the disruption in homeostasis that has occurred. It is necessary to restore balance to the rest of your body as well.

It is necessary to lean back the upper body in order to counterbalance the movement of the lower body. In order to maintain a center of balance in order to perform this maneuver. You adopt a stiff, unnatural stance of the impact when there is an imbalance in your natural alignment. As opposed to adopting a posture that is calm and neutral in its expression.

The difference in your posture will be more noticeable if you are wearing heels. That are substantially higher than your typical height. When putting on high heels for the first time, people who have never worn them. Before may notice that their center of gravity is lower at the hips. Resulting in an unusual bend in the lower back when they first put on these shoes.

Gait

When we say “normal stride,” we are referring to the motion. In which you roll your foot from your heel to your ball. Then push off with your toes to finish the movement. When one is wearing high heels, one’s foot is in a plantarflexed position. Making it difficult to propel oneself off the ground. With adequate speed and force.

In order to move the body forward as a result of this erroneous shift in foot position. The hip flexor muscles must work harder. Your knees will also be forced to remain more flexed. Exerting a larger pressure on the knee muscles than they would typically be required. To exert under normal conditions, as a result of the flexion.

Also, it’s important to note that the higher the heels on your shoes, the more difficult. It will be to navigate your way around in them. Particularly true for women who are unable to adjust for the imbalance generated. By their feet when walking in extremely high stiletto. Since their gaits become lumbered and giraffe-like as a result of their inability to correct. This is particularly true if their backs, knees. And calves are unable to compensate for the imbalance caused by their feet.

The Impact of Balance

The sensation of walking in high heeled shoes can be similar to that. Of walking on a balance beam. The ability to navigate different surfaces, heights. And inclines requires a great deal of balance and precision. If you’re going swiftly, you’ll need to put even more weight. On the balls of your feet in order to maintain your balance. By effectively walking on your tiptoes, you run the danger of causing injury. To the bones and connective tissues beneath your feet. 3

Stiletto heels are particularly difficult to walk in because the stick-like heels. Provide little support or stability. They are designed to press your foot and ankle into a supinated (outward splaying) position. Increasing the likelihood of falling and twisted ankles, among other things. 4

A study by the University of Alabama found that between 2002 and 2012. No less than 123,355 high heel-related injuries were seen. At hospital emergency departments across the United States. With the majority of these being the impact of sprain and strain injuries to the foot and ankle.

The Impact to Back

When the back is in its normal C-curve shape, it is intended to act as a shock absorber. Lowering the amount of weight bearing tension placed on the vertebrae and pelvis. Because of the pressure placed on the lumbar spine of the low back by high heels. This region of the back becomes flat. While the thoracic spine of the mid back becomes hyper-curved.

Leaning forward to relieve some of the pressure on your back will be necessary to compensat. For this (especially if you’ve been walking around in heels all day and are starting to feel exhausted). Poor alignment will almost always result in overuse of the back muscles. Which will increase the likelihood of developing persistent back pain.

Hips

The hip flexor muscles are placed on the top front of your thighs. On the inside of your thighs. When they are wearing heels, they are forced to maintain a flexed position. For an extended period of time. However, while you may consider this to be “exercising” your hip flexors . And accompanying calf muscles, the repetitive use of these muscles. That can cause them to shorten and constrict over time.

Contracting the hip flexors can result in the increasing flattening of the lumbar spine. Which can lead to the development of low back and hip pain.

Ankles

The ankle joint’s range of motion and strength are restricted when wearing high heels. As a result of the excessive height of the heels. The calf muscles (gastrocnemius and soleus muscles) get shortened. Which causes them to lose power when attempting to propel the foot forward.

As a result of this alteration, the Achilles tendon may contract. Where it attaches to the heel bone. Resulting in greater pain and edema at the site of attachment (calcaneus). A chronic inflammatory condition known as insertional Achilles tendonitis is one of the most prevalent effects. Of this over a long period of time (also known as Achilles tendinitis).

Feet

A large amount of pressure will be put on the plantar (bottom) region. Of the forefoot when the foot is placed in a downward position. The amount of pressure applied will grow in direct proportion. To the height of the heel.

It is also possible that the additional pressure will result in pain or foot abnormalities. Such as bunions and neuromas. A condition known as Haglund’s deformity is caused by the supination of the foot. Which causes the Achilles tendon to be misaligned and cause it to bulge out. Of its socket (a bony enlargement of the heel).

High heels will also cause the tendons and ligaments that support the arch. To become more constrictive as well. This can result in plantar fasciitis. Which is a condition that causes discomfort in the arch of the foot.

Treatment options

Stand near to a wall to stretch your feet. Put a tennis ball under your arch, maintain your heel on the floor. And sink for 30 seconds. For 1 minute, carefully roll your feet over the ball. From side to side and from heal to toe. Replace one foot.

Alternatively, use your thumbs to gently massage the soles of your feet. Wiggle your foot and apply medium pressure to each tender point. Rep for other sore spots.

If high heels cause you long-term pain yet you wish to wear them occasionally. Minimize your frequency of wearing them. If your feet hurt or swell so much that you can’t bend your toes. Consult a doctor right away.