As a busy chiropractic clinic in Fareham, we often see patients suffering from back pain in the New Year. But surprisingly, many of these painful back injuries are not just the result of overdoing it over the festive period – high heels are sometimes the culprit!
Those skyscraper heels may be the perfect looking partner to your party dress, but wearing them can set you up for long-term health issues. And we’re not just talking about a couple of sore toes! High heels cause your feet to slide forward into the shoes; forcing your toes into the unnaturally narrow shape of the shoes which redistributes your weight incorrectly. This then causes your body to tilt forward.
Have you ever noticed how you tend to lean backwards when you wear high heels (we’ve all seen the “stiletto walk”!)? Our experienced chiropractor in Fareham reveals that this is your body’s way of compensating for the forward tilt that the shoes create. The shift in spinal position puts added pressure on the nerves.
So should you vow never again to step foot into any shoes with heels higher than two inches? No, but to lessen the risk of long term problems, our leading Fareham chiropractor advises the following:
1: Buy insoles from a reputable shoe shop to lessen the pressure on your feet.
2: Make sure your shoes are the right size so that your feet do not slide forward. (You’d be surprised how many people wear the wrong sized shoes!) Also, choose shoes that have a wide enough toe box that allows you to comfortably wiggle your toes.
3: If you are planning on wearing a pair of killer heels in the evening, make sure you wear flat shoes during the day.
4: Every day, take time out to stretch your feet and calf muscles. A good way to do this is to stand on the edge of a step with your shoes off. Let the balls of your feet take your weight and drop your heels down to stretch. Another effective stretching technique is to put a pencil on the floor and try to pick it up by using your toes only.
So there you have it – four simple steps to make sure you can dance your way into a pain free 2016.
Our experienced team of Chiropractors in Fareham are here to help you. For friendly advice or to book an appointment, contact us today on 01329 280 283 or email frontdesk@homewoodchiropractic.co.uk