High heels: how to keep your feet healthy WOMEN'S HEALTH

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Thanks to the progressive vaccinations and low incidences, we can arrange to meet again, even the first parties are taking place, and with it the long-awaited opportunities when we can finally exchange the comfortable, already slightly grubby home office socks for our beloved high heels.

Every woman knows that high heels are not good for their feet, but many have pushed it aside over the lockdown months. After the first, hard office hours in high heels or a night of dancing on high heels, the painful memory comes back: high heels can leave severe foot pain at the end of the day.

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But there are ways and means of protecting your feet from pain and long-term deformation despite high heels. What you can do about it, we clarify here with the help of experts.

What are the health consequences of wearing high heels?

No life-threatening ones, so: calm down! "I also wear high heels on certain occasions," says the Munich orthopedist and certified foot and ankle surgeon Dr. Imke Fröhlich, "High heels definitely have advantages. Many women radiate more self-confidence with high heels. We also observe a more upright posture in their wearers." But the consequences for the feet are far less beautiful than the long legs, which can conjure up high heels.

"By wearing high heels for too long or too often, reversible as well as irreversible changes to the feet and the entire musculoskeletal system can occur," warns the expert. "It's the same as with all unnatural postures that you adopt for too long. "

Because the human foot is not actually designed to walk on the ball of the foot, as is the case with high heels. If you wear high heels, the foot leans forward from the ankle to counteract the unnatural posture. Knees and hips are also slightly bent and turned inwards so that you don't fall forward.

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The most common consequences of high heels for back and foot health:

What helps against pain after wearing high heels?

If you don't want to do without your pumps despite occasional pain, there are a few helpful countermeasures:

1. Foot gymnastics: "Foot gymnastics is the be-all and end-all to prevent damage. Because structural changes in the foot that have already occurred are difficult to treat," the orthopedist knows.
2. Foot care: Feet battered by high heels need special care. Massage your feet after a long night of partying, preferably right after you take off your shoes. Rolling gently over a hedgehog ball is also good for the foot muscles. Foot baths are also recommended: bathe your feet in an invigorating bath additive for around 10 minutes and then dry them well. Tip: Gently rub your feet with a peeling cream so that no calluses can form. And don't forget to cut your nails! Otherwise your toenails grow painfully.
3. Go barefoot: Go barefoot as often as possible, so your toes can take turns spreading apart and clawing back in. You should also take off any shoes, whether high or flat, as soon as the ground allows it. "Walking barefoot is the best training for the foot muscles," says the expert.
4. Insoles: In your "normal" shoes you should pamper your feet with orthopedic insoles, they give your feet the best possible support and thus help with regeneration. Tip: Order custom-made insoles online, for example at craftsoles.de

5 exercises to relieve and prevent foot pain

What is the best way to walk in high heels?

For Let's Dance presenter Sylvie Meis, who often wears heels for work, walking in high heels is above all a matter of practice: "Train out walking with them, especially before an important event. Don't think: 'Oh yes, that will be fine' . Do yourself a favor and don't take any chances." This is especially true if you rarely wear the shoes or have got hold of a new model.

The most important tips for training with and wearing high heels:

As you can see, high heels are unhealthy, but even the orthopedist wears them. Pay attention to regular foot gymnastics and your posture, and do a few rounds of exercise in front of the mirror with new models, then you can be sure of a successful, less painful appearance in your beloved high heels.

AccessoriesHeels8 Facts About High Heelsread moreWrap your ankleHow to avoid twisting your ankle againread moreThis article may contain links to vendors from which Women's Health receives a commission. These links are marked with the following icon: 13.08.2021Susan KesselringTo the start page