Recent years have given way to much controversy about the negative effects of high heels on your body. Doctors tut when women come to them with back problems, osteopaths sigh, and the health sections of newspapers go all out to warn us about the evils of the stiletto. But are they really that bad? Granted, high heels make your calves a little tender for a couple of days after you're worn them, and your feet may be slightly sore, but once you wear heels on a regular basis, your body gets used to them - and your calves and feet will be stronger for it.
It is high time someone tackled these myths head-on. Some already have: earlier this year the BBC published an article which argued that wearing high heels can actually be beneficial. We shall therefore challenge three common myths about the stiletto, and then examine the ways in which heels might have a positive influence on the body.
Myth #1: High heels are a source of back problems. Senior osteopaths say this is not necessarily the case. Only those with a pre-disposition for back injuries are likely to get one - but that doesn't mean all of us will suffer as a result of wearing heels. While it is true that walking on 8-inch stilettos for days on end can result in too much pressure being put on the front of the ankles (which leads to postural problems) if you wear your heels wisely, this should not be a problem. Instead of walking to work in high heels, for instance, keep the stilettos at the office and commute to work in your trainers.
Myth #2: Stilettos create stiffness in the neck and lumbar spine. Not so. Osteopaths say that stiffness has very little to do with the fact that you are wearing high heels, and has everything to do with how you wear them. If you already have a postural problem before slipping on shoes, such as the disposition to tilt backwards slightly, then heels are likely to aggravate the problem as they put pressure on the lower back. However, if you adopt a straight and erect posture before putting on stilettos, then it is very unlikely that you experience any problems. In many cases, high heels have the tendency to correct a woman's bad posture by forcing them to balance themselves, so stiffness is not a direct result of wearing stilettos.
Myth #3: Heels are bad for your muscles in general. Again, a common misconception. Your muscles can become sore by wearing heels excessively, but this can all be avoided as suggested for Myth #1. In fact, a recent study reveals that women who wear stilettos have tighter pelvic muscles and stronger legs. As long as you vary the type of shoe you are wearing every day, you face no danger of overexerting your muscles.
Another interesting discovery about stilettos (as reported by the BCC article) was made by Italian Urologist Dr. Cerruto: wearing high heels can benefit your sex life. Cerruto explains that the pelvic muscles are exercised because stilettos force the foot into a certain angle. Since a women's pelvic floor functions are essential to her sexual performance, it is comforting to know that this performance might be improve simply by wearing stilettos more often.
Regardless of what myths or truths you chose to believe about stilettos, the bottom line is that there is always a solution that is right for you. If you do experience long-term problems, do not hesitate to contact your osteopath, but remember that these issues are not necessarily linked with the heels you wear. - 16650
It is high time someone tackled these myths head-on. Some already have: earlier this year the BBC published an article which argued that wearing high heels can actually be beneficial. We shall therefore challenge three common myths about the stiletto, and then examine the ways in which heels might have a positive influence on the body.
Myth #1: High heels are a source of back problems. Senior osteopaths say this is not necessarily the case. Only those with a pre-disposition for back injuries are likely to get one - but that doesn't mean all of us will suffer as a result of wearing heels. While it is true that walking on 8-inch stilettos for days on end can result in too much pressure being put on the front of the ankles (which leads to postural problems) if you wear your heels wisely, this should not be a problem. Instead of walking to work in high heels, for instance, keep the stilettos at the office and commute to work in your trainers.
Myth #2: Stilettos create stiffness in the neck and lumbar spine. Not so. Osteopaths say that stiffness has very little to do with the fact that you are wearing high heels, and has everything to do with how you wear them. If you already have a postural problem before slipping on shoes, such as the disposition to tilt backwards slightly, then heels are likely to aggravate the problem as they put pressure on the lower back. However, if you adopt a straight and erect posture before putting on stilettos, then it is very unlikely that you experience any problems. In many cases, high heels have the tendency to correct a woman's bad posture by forcing them to balance themselves, so stiffness is not a direct result of wearing stilettos.
Myth #3: Heels are bad for your muscles in general. Again, a common misconception. Your muscles can become sore by wearing heels excessively, but this can all be avoided as suggested for Myth #1. In fact, a recent study reveals that women who wear stilettos have tighter pelvic muscles and stronger legs. As long as you vary the type of shoe you are wearing every day, you face no danger of overexerting your muscles.
Another interesting discovery about stilettos (as reported by the BCC article) was made by Italian Urologist Dr. Cerruto: wearing high heels can benefit your sex life. Cerruto explains that the pelvic muscles are exercised because stilettos force the foot into a certain angle. Since a women's pelvic floor functions are essential to her sexual performance, it is comforting to know that this performance might be improve simply by wearing stilettos more often.
Regardless of what myths or truths you chose to believe about stilettos, the bottom line is that there is always a solution that is right for you. If you do experience long-term problems, do not hesitate to contact your osteopath, but remember that these issues are not necessarily linked with the heels you wear. - 16650
About the Author:
Andrew Mitchell, editor of Osteopath Network, writes articles about osteopaths, back pain, neck pain and soft tissue injuries. If you are looking for a Winchester Osteopaths please visit his website.
