There has been much debate in recent years over the negative impacts that high heels can have on your body. Doctors shake their heads in dismay when women come to them with back problems, osteopaths tut, and the local newspaper's health section goes into a frenzy about the evils of stilettos. But are they really that bad? All right, after you wear them, your feet can be a little painful and your calves might twinge a bit for a couple of days, but once worn on a regular basis, your body does get accustomed to high heels - and your calves and feet will be tougher for it.
It is high time someone put these rumours to rest. Some people have done so already: earlier this year, an article was published by the BBC which argued that high heels do have benefits on the body. Here we shall challenge three of the most common myths regarding stilettos, and proceed to look at the ways in which your body can benefit from them.
Myth #1: High heels give you back problems. Not necessarily, say senior osteopaths. Only people with predispositions for back problems have a higher probability of getting one - but that doesn't mean everyone is doomed to injure their back as a result of wearing stilettos. While it has been confirmed that walking on 8-inch heels for extensive periods of time can result in too much pressure being put on the front of the ankles (which leads to postural problems), this can be easily avoided if you take care. Instead of walking on stilettos all day, for instance, travel to work in your trainers and only slip on your heels at the office.
Myth #2 : Stilettos cause the lower back and neck to become stiff. Not exactly. Stiffness, osteopaths claim, has less to do with the fact that you're wearing heels, and more to do with how you wear them. If you are already experiencing postural problems even without wearing shoes (such as tilting your back), then of course stilettos will problem make that problem worse as they add pressure to the lower back. If you make sure you are standing straight and assume the right posture before you slip on the heels, however, you avoid any future problems. If fact, high heels often have the tendency to correct a woman's posture, as they help them balance their weight. Stiffness is therefore no a direct result of wearing stilettos.
Myth #3: Heels have a negative effect on your muscles. Again, not true. While some might have sore muscles due to wearing stilettos too often, you can steer clear of this easily, as proposed for Myth #1. A recent study has uncovered that women who wear stilettos do, in fact, have stronger leg and pelvic muscles then those who don't. As long as you vary your footwear every day, there should be no reason for you to overexert these muscles.
Another interesting discovery about the advantages of the stiletto was uncovered by Italian Urologist Dr. Cerruto, as mentioned in the BBC article. Because the foot is being forced into a certain angle by the shape of the heel, Cerruto explains, the pelvic muscles get a work out. As a woman pelvic floor functions are key to sexual performance, the idea that this performance might be improved simply by wearing heels is certainly not unwelcome.
No matter what myths you live by, there is always a right solution for you. Many times those extra four inches of self-esteem are just what a woman needs in life. Why take that away? As long as you pay attention to how your body responds, and you assume the correct posture, health and heels can go hand in hand.
It is high time someone put these rumours to rest. Some people have done so already: earlier this year, an article was published by the BBC which argued that high heels do have benefits on the body. Here we shall challenge three of the most common myths regarding stilettos, and proceed to look at the ways in which your body can benefit from them.
Myth #1: High heels give you back problems. Not necessarily, say senior osteopaths. Only people with predispositions for back problems have a higher probability of getting one - but that doesn't mean everyone is doomed to injure their back as a result of wearing stilettos. While it has been confirmed that walking on 8-inch heels for extensive periods of time can result in too much pressure being put on the front of the ankles (which leads to postural problems), this can be easily avoided if you take care. Instead of walking on stilettos all day, for instance, travel to work in your trainers and only slip on your heels at the office.
Myth #2 : Stilettos cause the lower back and neck to become stiff. Not exactly. Stiffness, osteopaths claim, has less to do with the fact that you're wearing heels, and more to do with how you wear them. If you are already experiencing postural problems even without wearing shoes (such as tilting your back), then of course stilettos will problem make that problem worse as they add pressure to the lower back. If you make sure you are standing straight and assume the right posture before you slip on the heels, however, you avoid any future problems. If fact, high heels often have the tendency to correct a woman's posture, as they help them balance their weight. Stiffness is therefore no a direct result of wearing stilettos.
Myth #3: Heels have a negative effect on your muscles. Again, not true. While some might have sore muscles due to wearing stilettos too often, you can steer clear of this easily, as proposed for Myth #1. A recent study has uncovered that women who wear stilettos do, in fact, have stronger leg and pelvic muscles then those who don't. As long as you vary your footwear every day, there should be no reason for you to overexert these muscles.
Another interesting discovery about the advantages of the stiletto was uncovered by Italian Urologist Dr. Cerruto, as mentioned in the BBC article. Because the foot is being forced into a certain angle by the shape of the heel, Cerruto explains, the pelvic muscles get a work out. As a woman pelvic floor functions are key to sexual performance, the idea that this performance might be improved simply by wearing heels is certainly not unwelcome.
No matter what myths you live by, there is always a right solution for you. Many times those extra four inches of self-esteem are just what a woman needs in life. Why take that away? As long as you pay attention to how your body responds, and you assume the correct posture, health and heels can go hand in hand.
About the Author:
Andrew Mitchell, editor of Osteopath Network, writes articles about osteopathy, back pain, neck pain and soft tissue injuries. If you are looking for a Exeter osteopath or for an osteopath in the UK please visit his website.
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