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High Heel Health, One-night Stands, and Infant Stilettos
Health | May 08, 2015
I just read an interesting article in the Time magazine about high heels being evil to our feet. Obviously that’s something that women don’t like to hear but we all know it’s true. How many times have you suffered through a night out in your brand new cute pair of high heels that complimented your dress so perfectly! I think that most of us have been there. Unfortunately it’s not just those 6 inch dreadful stilettos that are causing your Achilles tendon to shrink, but all heels, including “comfortable” wedges that are higher than 2 inches.
I personally don’t buy shoes that are obviously uncomfortable and I try to stick with platforms that can keep me pain free for at least couple hours of standing or walking. I don’t see myself ever giving up high heels completely (I’m not a hippie;)) but I do my best to stick with flat soles for my casual days. I believe that balance is the key to maintain heathy feet and posture (and style) so if you notice any calluses, blisters, bunions, or ingrown nails, that’s a good indication that you should stay more “grounded”.
This also brings up my disgust with certain women’s magazines that are shameless when posting articles about high heels being awesome for shaping up your calves. The same type of magazines that advise you to have a one night stand in order to gain more confidence. I know you’re just trying to sell magazines but really, come on now!? Just to make things clear, wearing high heels does change the structure of your calves BUT not for the better. Toughening and shortening the Achilles tendons leads to decreased mobility and increased risk of strains and sprains… and also FYI a one night stand is not the way to gain more confidence. It’s a good way to get an STD. Sorry, I just had to say that.
The deviations won’t end in your feet and ankles however. According to research wearing high heels shifts your bodyweight forward which changes the dynamics in your musculoskeletal system and results in all kinds of symptoms from back pain to osteoarthritis in your knees.
Any imbalance in our posture, as I have already mentioned in one of my previous articles, is going to affect the rest of your body. The location of your pain is not necessarily the source of the cause. For example if you’re experiencing knee pain, it would be foolish to automatically assume that you have bad knees. Often times it’s your feet or hips that need to be aligned back into their original neutral and functional position (via postural therapy) in order to get rid of the symptoms – such as knee pain.
High heels are awesome, don’t get me wrong. I enjoy stylish shoes here and there and for special occasions, but I love my body more and I want to keep it healthy for as long as I live, so I’ll stick to workouts to keep my calves in shape (and to boost my confidence – wink,wink) and flats to get me through the day.
While we are on the topic of high heels, what are you thoughts on high heels for infants? Yes, you read that right… high heels for babies!?! I recently heard about this company, Pee Wee Pumps, that market and sell high heel style shoes for babies age 0-6months old. I personally think it’s ridiculous and tend to agree with other people’s comments on Amazon. What do you think?
Private Member |
high heels for babies?! this is downright ridiculous! there are so many problems in this world, and there are people walking barefoot, and this product was invented… people like this that come up with products just to encourage waste and spending money on utter crap are deplorable!
Private Member |
toronto, canada
I understand where you’re coming from… but if I knew I could be rich by making baby heels I can’t say I would never consider it.
Private Member |
toronto, canada
I am not surprised at all to here that people are putting high heels on infants. In fact, I just read an article that said women can get plastic surgery to change the shape on their feet into a high heel form. Now, I don’t know how credible the source is considering I only came across it on Facebook, but let’s just say I should of could of been more shocked. Considering high heels were created to make woman’s butts look bigger and complete sexy/cute mature outfits it’s a little awkward to put them on your child. I mean… if that’s the worst thing that happens to the baby then I’d say they still have it pretty good.
Private Member |
You’re right about the surgery. I’ve read that too. People are getting surgery so their feet fit in fashion shoes.
The thing with the creation of the high heels is not exactly like you wrote though. It is not completely clear where or when they first appeared but one thing is for sure: men were wearing them first. Yes that is right. One of the many sources that one can find about this is the horseback riders in Persia. They wore shoes with heels so their feet would stay in place in the stirrups. Pretty functional origin…
Private Member |
toronto, canada
Omg I completely forgot about men wearing high heels! Thanks for reminding me 🙂 (seems like it would be way too interesting to forget, but apprently not for me) haha
Private Member |
I think high heels are kind of like the Chinese bond foot! Or maybe it’s to emphasize the muscles.
Private Member |
seattle, washington
What I was trying to say was. Binding feet was meant to disable women by stopping you from really being able to walk and high heels stop you from running or moving fast. When men also worn them it was to make them taller and show wealth. I really don’t think they make a woman look sexy and just endanger their legs and ankles.
Private Member |
I think people havnt read the babies high heels description properly, they say the heel collapses so its not a actual high heel…plus babies 0 to 6 months can’t walk so it wouldn’t cause any foot problems. The concept is just abit stupid in my opinion
Private Member |
largo, fl, usa
Since infants are not actually walking in these pumps, I think they would be cute in a photo shoot or as a baby shower gift. As long as you don’t buy them real heels as soon as they start walking it’s all good:)
Private Member |
High heels are sexy but let’s face it, unless you are buying really expensive ones (I’m talking Dian Von Furstenburg or the like) they are going to kill your feet. I only wear them for special occasions like a wedding or something but I always bring a pair of flats in my purse in case they start hurting me.
Baby heels are the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard of. Good for a laugh though 🙂
Private Member |
plzeň, Čr
Hi Zuz 🙂 do you know the brand Vivobarefoot? Last summer I bought one pair of shoes from them… And since then I´m hooked, I think I will never wear regular shoes again :)) They are SO comfortable! And healthy for the feet 🙂 Have a wonderful day 🙂
Private Member |
Hi Marcela,
I have a pair of vivo’s too and they are BY FAR the most comfortable shoe I have ever owned! They are amazing! I’m looking into my second pair now. A person just has not felt comfort like this unless they have a pair. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Private Member |
What the heck? Heels for babies? This is the world’s pure stupidity.
Private Member |
la valette-du-var, france
Plus, high heels are bad for blood circulation, that’s mostly why I don’t wear any ! But another reason for my unwillingness is that just don’t feel comfortable in any heels, physically and psychologically haha it’s just not for me … I think it’s GORGEOUS, every time I see someone wearing high heels I want to buy a pair, but each time I did I regretted it because I simply don’t wear them … flat shoes are so ME 🙂 it suits my personality best I guess 🙂 I like feeling the ground 😀
And heels for babies … seriously ?
Private Member |
OMG! The world is crazy! Those high heels for babies… It is both ugly and ridiculous…