Heels and Health

Do high heels affect our overall health?  My yoga teacher mentioned the added pressure on our knees and backs, thus affecting our alignment and posture.  Wearing heels does provide an appealing booty-lift, but that comes with an exaggerated lower back curve.  She told me, "I was cute enough without the heels," and that made a big impact on me.  Seeing a role model give up heels and embrace a more grounded stance definitely inspires me.  I'm seeing that you can absolutely be sexy and appealing without the high heels.
One article states that "high heels can contribute to the development of a variety of conditions from corns and calluses to hammertoes, arthritis, chronic knee pain, sprained ankles and back problems."

Brenden Brown is a podiatrist who sees about 500 women every year with problems caused by wearing heels.  He says that damage can be inflicted by high heels over a period of one day or 40 years. Each person is different and the effects of wearing heels will differ on everybody.

He says the reason high heel wearers suffer back pain is your body's centre of gravity is thrust forward. High heels cause the forefoot to overwhelm the joints and the toes. Osteoarthritis can also be caused by high heels because the soft tissue overcompensates when under strain. For more on that article check out:
http://health.ninemsn.com.au/whatsgoodforyou/theshow/694324/are-high-heels-bad-for-your-health

Additionally, the cost of heels goes beyond the cash register.  One study states that "the damage done to women’s feet from wearing high heels has been estimated to cost the National Health Service a huge £29 million a year in treatment -which included removing bunions and straightening toes."  When it comes to food, alcohol, caffeine, heels...it's interesting how we pay money to hurt ourselves.

As predicted, this month has been an easy challenge.  Last weekend I went on a trip and only packed flat shoes and boots.  With limited options, the heel temptation was completely removed.  The truth is that heels are not all that seductive to me anyway.