There is no restriction on wearing high heels. Although it will make us prettier, the health of our body must be maintained, as improper use of heels will impact our health. Not only is it risky to sprain, but much more than that. Check out other considerations in this article.
1. Posture
Using high heels causes the feet to be in plantar flexion (stretched downward), which puts extra pressure on the front. This causes a person to force their body to match the rest of the body to compensate for the shift in balance. When this happens, the posture becomes uncomfortable and unnatural, especially for those not used to it.
The higher the heel, the more pressure is exerted on the forefoot (about 25% for every inch). When wearing high heels that are too high, the body is forced to lower the center of gravity on the hips, creating an unnatural curvature. Those who have used it often complained about this.
Using high heels can affect posture.
2. Manner of Walking
When walking in high heels, the plantar flexed position of the foot prevents one from dragging or pushing the foot. This makes the hip flexors work harder to move the body forward, and the knees work extra. The higher the heels, the harder it will be to walk, and the more your body will try to strengthen it.
3. Balance
It takes a lot of balance when using high heels, especially when the road is flat and can be uphill or downhill. Therefore, fast movements will cause the feet to carry a significant load. If you walk on your toes, you risk damaging the bones and connective tissue.
4. Fractures, tears, and strains
The use of high heels puts pressure on the feet and causes pain in both the short and long term. Excessive pressure, especially on the forefoot, can cause self-pain (Metatarsalgia) and lead to fractures (bone fractures), torn ligaments or tendons, and stiffness.
5. Heel pain
When the foot is moved, the Achilles tendon, which runs from the back of the heel to the calf, lengthens and shortens. When the leg is lifted, this tendon shortens. But too much shortening can lead to something terrible, like a sore heel.
In addition, wearing high heels can cause Haglund's deformity, a bone change in the heel that forms over time when the foot rubs up or down or presses against the back of the foot. A person may also experience heel spurs, bone growths from calcium deposits that occur behind, under the heel, or the soles of the feet.
6. Injuries and deformities
Using high heels that are sharp in shape forces your toes to follow their shape, like an unnatural V. This habit causes the feet to experience finger deformities such as hammertoes, bunions, calluses, and ingrown toenails. Using these shapes can also irritate and damage the nerves of the feet.
7. Sprained ankle
High heels put the foot in an unstable state, increasing the chance of a sprained ankle. If you are not used to it, muscles that are generally not used can become inflamed, injured, or tired. The higher the heel, the greater the risk of injury and pain.
8. Knee and back pain
The heel working will affect other body parts when one walks and stands in high heels. This causes extremities such as unusual pressure on the knees, hips, and lower back. Symptoms can be mild at first but can become chronic later on.
Osteoarthritis can occur in the knee. When wearing high heels, the knee is in a position that is continuously bent, causing the shin to rotate inward for balance. This position results in compression of the inside of the knee, a common site of osteoarthritis.
The use of high heels can cause osteoarthritis.
Those are the things to consider when you want to use or get used to high heels, from posture to the health of your feet and other body parts. Be sensible when using high heels; ensure the size is right. There are many more exciting articles about Fitie; visit the website, or download the app!