If you have worn your favorite pair of designer high heels to an evening party or spent the entire morning trudging along in them, you might be familiar with the after effects of wearing high heels. Strutting around in heels, especially stilettoes can instigate blisters, swelling in toes, agonizing calluses and a truly miserable state. Your feet are in agony and begging for their freedom. We all have prioritized fashion over utility at some point in our lives, and have paid the hefty price too. Yet, no amount of pain or agony can cause the women to get over their addiction of high heels and give up on heels.
According to a statistical report, 73% of women wear high heels and 39% of them on a daily basis. It’s obvious that looking beautiful comes with a weighty cost. Wearing heels can cause long-term health issues related to the feet. Even the most luxurious pairs accredited to be ultra-comfortable and boasting of premium quality will inflict pain and torment to your feet, if you wear them for long hours. It is an unavoidable disadvantage which tags along when you sacrifice comfort over fashion.
Why are heels so uncomfortable?
Heels are a torturous prison for feet. And this is because the elevated heel causes the whole body weight to be shifted to the ball of the feet. The higher the heel height, the larger the pressure exerted to shift the weight on the balls of the feet. This results in the knees, hips and back trying to counterbalance the unnatural shift of gravity. The outcome is a misaligned skeleton and painful muscles. And the situation can worsen with time with chronic illnesses surfacing and disrupting the quality of life.
Tips to alleviate the pain and agony when wearing heels:
Since wearing heels is no easy task, there are some tactics which you can apply to make your heels more comfortable. Read on to discover easy hacks which can prevent your silhouettes from giving you trouble.
- Purchase premium quality heels from reliable brands:
The quality of the shoes is equivalent to their comfort. Premium materials will defend against chafing and will keep your feet happy and snug. Always be on the lookout for heels which are fashioned from high quality leather and feature breathable lining. This can avert blister formation and keep feet ventilated.
- Buy shoes which grant a perfect fitting:
New shoes are usually stiff and inflexible. So it’s always recommended to buy shoes which grant a precise fit. Avoid buying attractive shoes on a whim or fancy. Always test the shoes that you intend to buy before making the final decision. Shoes which do no supply comfort and seem to pinch should never be purchased because chafing and pinching usually gets worse with time.
A two minute self-test in the store will clear all the hesitations and uncertainties about the comfort and functional factor of the heel height. Follow your instincts and choose comfort and utility over fashion.
- Realize the power of shoe inserts, cushions and heel pads:
Brands like Dr Scholl’s manufacture shoe care products which are catered to provide relief and next-level comfort to the feet from shoe-related injuries. Shoe inserts for heels are designed to alleviate foot conditions like plantar fasciitis, provide arch support, orthopedic correction and enhance the comfort level. The slim insoles are made from gel or foam and they function by sopping up the force and pressure at the ball of the foot while you are standing. The custom-fitting insoles are placed inside the heels. They cradle the foot and provide sufficient arch support.
Heel pads are designed for heels which are too tight, too big or too stiff. The padded heels grant a supreme level of comfort and keep feet from chafing and blisters.
Similarly, heel cushions and ball of the foot cushions are also manufactured to be placed inside the heels to provide support and prevent calluses, and agonizing pain when wearing heels.
- Buy chunkier heels:
Although shimmering, enchanting stilettoes look super attractive, they don’t feel very comfortable. Skip the narrow heels and opt for chunky heel options. Wedges, platform heels and block heels are worthier choices as they allow the body weight to be distributed on a more solid base, thus preventing the pressure to be exerted on the ball of the foot. The eclectic assemblage of glistening and fascinating chunky heels in the market can solve your shoe-worries and inject a dash of élan and aplomb in your profile.
- Choose heels which offer a reinforced ankle, heel and toe support;
Choosing styles of heels which provide ample material to hold your feet in place is recommended. Barely-there and tiny straps can place your feet in a predicament by diminishing the stability factor. Moreover, rounded toe options are more comfortable in comparison to pointed toe heels as the toe space is more plush and spacious. Invest in heels which offer a roomy toe fit and allow your feet to splay comfortably and snugly.
- Try taping your toes:
Professional ballerina dancers tape their toes together to mitigate the pressure being exerted on the balls of their feet. You can implement this tactic too, to feel the difference in the comfort level of your heels. Try taping the third and the fourth toe together with a medical tape. Give this trick a go and walk around at home initially to reboot your stability and come to terms with renewed foot state.
- Improve your posture:
To improve your gait, you need to develop muscle memory of your feet. And this requires practice and precision. Try taking small complete steps instead of rushing forth in heels. Take a complete step forward initiating with your heels and completing the motion when you feel the toes making contact with the ground. Keep your back straight and aligned. Swing your arms naturally and try to maintain the center of gravity. Your gait and posture can improve your encounter with heels and make them more bearable.
