From the foot to the ankle, knee, hip, the spine, right on to the head, your high heels could be contributing to unnecessary health problems. We speak to Chiropractor Dr Tony Accardi, on how your health is impacted by those high heels.
The closest experiences most men have with high heels is gasping at the sheer magnitude of their size, or similarly sympathising with wincing pain women often face walking in them.
Speaking with Dr Tony Accardi, President of Chiropractic Association of Ireland, it becomes clear that not only are your feet impacted by the practice of wearing high heels but potentially your entire body.
"From the foot to the ankle, knee, hip and the spine of course, right on to the head," Accardi explains.
"As far as specifics go, what happens is the pelvis can be tilted due to the height of the heel. The higher the heel, obviously makes the forward inclination of the pelvis tilt further forward."
And what affects the pelvis can affect a multitude of other areas, including the spine, neck and so on.
"I've seen women who have worn heels quite a bit and their feet are stuck in a position nearly the way it is when wearing a heel; which can lead to problems with ankle joints and so on."
So what are symptoms commonly attributed?
Dr. Accardi says there can be a host of symptoms women can attribute to wearing high heels:
- Knee pain (especially the lateral aspect)
- Hip pain
- The whole back
"A lot of women find that once they start wearing a smaller heel, and then if they go back to high heels, they'll feel that pain everywhere. The knees, the hips, the lower back etc."
If you wear them on a consistent basis, would you become aware of the damage being caused?
"Many times they're not aware of the damage that's going on until there is a pain, this becomes the last straw on the camels back, so to speak," Accardi says.
"As in workplace repetitive strain, your body adapts around damaged tissues for a long time until there is so much damage that it can't recover on its own. Chiropractors specialise in treating the damage that can develop in situations like this."
For Dr Accardi, incredibly flat shoes are not the answer either.
"Conversely, I see a lot of women wearing shoes that are very flat, and have no support at all," he warns.
"This is usually due to style. And that's just as bad and potentially even worse."
"Especially if they have pronation, where the arches have fallen and are flat, and the ankle turns in. It would make that type of condition even worse"
A balance is needed
"A heel slightly higher than the sole of the foot is ideal," Accardi recommends. "I tell my patients a heel no higher than 2 and a half inches above the height of the sole, but again not to be worn all day, every day."
"The way the shoe supports you is important too. There should be a back to the heel, called a counter."
Soles of shoes should only bend at the big toe.
"Some will bend in the middle of the shoe. And that's not good. That does not give you enough support.
Whether it be an upcoming special occasion such as a wedding, where the dreaded heel cannot be avoided, what advice have you?
"If you keep your core tight, and exercise your core, that will help stabilise your pelvis and spine. Wearing high heels tilts the pelvis forward; if the core is weak then it's going to tilt even further."
Exercises such as pelvic tilts are recommended to help strengthen your core and reduce the impact the practice of wearing high heels can have.
"Our feet are the foundation of our bodies, they can have an impact all the way up to your neck."
Dr. Tony Accardi is the President of the Chiropractic Association of Ireland. For more information, including finding a local, registered chiropractic, visit their website here.
