The perfect pair of shoes can complete your outfit, making you look fashionable and fabulous. But did you know that your stylish footwear may be causing muscle imbalances that can lead to injuries if you wear them too often? It’s important to find the balance between looking fantastic and prioritizing your long-term foot health.
High Heels: A Culprit Behind Muscle Imbalances
Research has consistently shown that high heels can cause muscle imbalances and consequent pain in the feet and heels. One study found that wearing shoes with heels of about four inches or more leads to unbalanced muscles in the lower foot, which can result in ankle injuries when worn more than a couple of times a week.
Further, the foot health of participants in the Framingham Heart Study revealed that women who frequently wore high heels and pumps experienced significantly more ankle and heel pain. A European study showed that high heels modified pelvic positions and could potentially lead to long-term pathological alterations.
Additionally, a clinical trial published in the Journal of Applied Biomechanics found that high heels might be the most significant reason why more women than men develop osteoarthritis of the knee. With such compelling evidence, it’s clear that we must think twice about the shoes we wear and how frequently we wear them.
Finding Balance: Fashion and Comfort
Many people argue that a little discomfort is a small price to pay to look fashionable. While this may be true on special occasions, prioritizing comfort over style for regular wear is a smarter way to go. Researchers from the Institute for Aging Research of Hebrew SeniorLife at Harvard offer some suggestions when shopping for shoes:
- Prioritize comfort over fashion.
- Don’t rely on the manufacturer’s size designation, as brands differ in sizing criteria. Go by how the shoes feel.
- Have both of your feet measured every time you shop for shoes, as foot size increases with age.
- Buy shoes that fit your larger foot, as most people have one foot that is slightly larger than the other.
- Avoid high heels and shoes with tapered or pointed toes.
- Try on shoes later in the day, when your feet are at their largest due to swelling.
- Walk around the store in the shoes to ensure they fit comfortably.
- Wiggle your toes while wearing the shoes to confirm they can move freely.
Create Compromise with Two Pairs of Shoes
If you can’t stand the thought of wearing practical shoes at work, consider taking a cue from busy urban commuters who wear comfortable walking shoes to and from the office, changing into stylish, professional footwear once they arrive at work. This double-approach limits the time your feet spend cramped in unsupportive shoes while still maintaining your desired appearance at the workplace.
The Bigger Picture
In today’s world, where comfort and fashion co-exist in a wide variety of shoe designs, there is no longer any reason to sacrifice your long-term foot health solely for the sake of looking great. By practicing smart shopping strategies, implementing a two-pair approach for work, and raising awareness of the need to prioritize comfort in footwear, we can keep it stylish while protecting the health and well-being of our feet.
Remember that our feet bear the weight of our entire body and serve as the foundation for our mobility. Just as we make an effort to exercise and maintain a healthy diet, it is crucial to consider the impact of our footwear choices on our feet to ensure long-term wellness and pain-free days ahead.
