The Ugly Truth About Heels
High heels make us feel sexy, cute, confident, you name it. They are a staple in almost every woman’s wardrobe and especially in a cosplay closet. But what damage are we really doing to our bodies? I’m in my mid 30′s and no longer can wear heels. For YEARS I wore them every day and they were my favorite pair of shoes. I wore them so much that the glue actually melted out of the heel itself! I loved them. They made me feel awesome and they were the most comfortable pair of shoes I owned! But I didn’t realize the damage they were doing. After a long day at work I would come home and my arch would be a little sore. Maybe one of my calf muscles was achy or cramping overnight. Sometimes it was my knee that seemed to burn for no reason. Those little warning signs were just the beginning.
Before I began teaching dance I started studying “dancer’s” anatomy. This was also when I realized the true horror of heels. Not only can they cause a long list of problems for our feet but also the knees, calves, thighs and lower back. When wearing heels we’re basically staying in “releve” the entire time. In other words we’re putting the majority of our weight on our toes and the ball of the foot. This causes our entire posture to shift, more weight is on the lower back and our hips have to tilt to adjust. This all puts more work on the thighs to keep our balance and by doing so causes the calf muscle to contract and shorten. Dancers want long, lean muscles hence why wearing heels was frowned upon by my ballet instructor. But wearing heels every day for years can cause even further damage than just shortened muscles. The cushion in our own heel wears down as we age but at a faster rate when wearing improper shoes (heels, flip-flops, flats that are too yielding). This begins to cause foot pain and aching, tired feet. When our feet hurt we again adjust our entire posture, putting more strain on our knees and shins. This can cause knee pain and shin splints over time. The Achilles tendon also suffers from high heels. Due to the contracting calf muscle, the Achilles tendon will begin to stiffen and harden over time. This opens the door to injury of the tendon from tearing to tendonitis/inflammation. Lastly our little piggies may endure ingrown nails, callouses and bunions.
If you’re still reading you’re likely thinking, “I never have any pain or problems” or “my heels are super comfy”. I thought the same thing and I never had problems either. Not until recently. Today I have to wear thick soled shoes, heel inserts and still can barely be on my feet for longer than a half hour. I have other factors that played a role in this hitting me at such a young age. However, wearing heels didn’t help. My warning to all of you is to take care of your feet. Think twice before you put on your favorite heels today or before buying that next pair. Take breaks when you’re at a convention or walking at the mall. Teach yourself some simple foot stretches and calf exercises. Take care of your body now while you’re young because it’s all you’ve got. You need it to last.













