The detrimental effects of long-term use of high heels on your health…

As an admitted fashionista I will be the first to admit that, from a fashion point of view, nothing beats a stunning pair of stilettos to top off a hot outfit for a special event. Should you step into my closet, I to, like most women have my “collection” of stylish heels, shoes in various shapes, styles, heights and colors to accessorize my wardrobe. Wearing stilettos every now and then for a few hours at a time for a special function, typically doesn’t pose a major risk. The problem arises when women choose to wear their stilettos on a regular basis (i.e., every day at work and then on weekends for events, clubbing etc).

Let me put on my “Dr. of Chiropractic hat” for a moment and explain the toll those heels take on your body and how they can negatively impact your health over time. As the included diagram shows, when we slip into a pair of stilettos, it transfers the weight to the front part or ball of the foot. The next thing that occurs is a forward translation of the body’s alignment. The higher the heel, the more the body will translate forward. This unnatural shift in the normal alignment will set off a chain reaction of events where your spine is concerned. The pelvic hip bones, called iliums, will rotate forward while the sacrum will rotate backwards; this will increase the natural curvature of the lumbar spine causing the entire muscular kinetic change that supports the spine, hips, pelvis and legs to compensate and work harder than normal.

Since the majority of muscles attached are designed to hold up and support your spinal structure, over time the repeated use or wearing of heels will start causing postural and spinal misalignments. These misalignments are called subluxation.

Since the main role of the spinal bones (vertebrae) is to protect the spinal cord and spinal nerves that carry the brains vital information for the proper and healthy operation of every cell, organ tissue, and muscle in your body. The postural deviations caused by wearing high heels over time will start misaligning the various spinal and pelvic bones of the body and impact stress on the sensitive nerves that are protected by the spinal and pelvic structures. This will in turn alter the vital information carried by the nervous system and will therefore; start negatively affecting your health. Various ailments related to high heel use include, but not limited to; back pain, hip, knee, foot pain, arthritis, joint deformities, sciatica, headaches, leg cramps, fatigue etc.

Wearing heels while pregnant will definitely amplify the damaging effects of pregnancy. The added weight of the growing baby at the front of the body is very similar to the effects of wearing high heels.

Tips on selecting and wearing heels:

When shopping for shoes, bring along this check list to help you decide on which pair to buy. Remember that your feet carry the entire weight of your body and an uncomfortable pair of shoes can cause strain across the whole body.

• Select heels that are no more than 2 inches for everyday use.
• Choose heels that are more platform (square) than skinny stiletto heels
•  Ensure to find the best fit, not too tight or too loose
• Look for shoes with comfy insoles, that also have straps to support the foot when walking
•  Walk around in the shoes for several minutes to ensure comfort, fit and support.

Tips for a healthy spine:

Your feet are your body’s support and assist with good posture.

• Minimize the length of time you spend wearing heels in general
• Try not to stand for too long at any one time in high heels.
• Carry flat shoes with you in your bag, so you can swap shoes when walking long distances
• Remove your shoes when in the house and wear flat slippers
• Regularly visit a Chiropractor.

Remember:

OPTIMAL SPINE ALIGNMENT = OPTIMAL NERVE FUNCTION = OPTIMAL HEALTH EXPRESSSION

About the Author

Dr. Lise Cloutier has been passionately helping people of all ages as a Chiropractor for over 22 years, for 6 of those years she has been based in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos. Dr. Lise’s life purpose is to inspire everyone she meets to create outrageous health for themselves and their families. Dr. Lise is certified in Chiropractic pediatrics, cranial work, and spinal correction technique. Dr. Lise can be reached at 649-339-1000 or email [email protected]

*Featured article in Issue 3 of GEEMS Lifestyle Empowerment Magazine

Dr. Lise Cloutier