Designer extraordinaire Brian Atwood once said, “Superwomen do it in high heels.” As inspiring as that line is, the painful truth is that high heels can be a rather uncomfortable and agonizing experience for many women. In fact, I know several superwomen who have sworn off high heels because they would rather save their feet from the awful pain that comes with wearing stilettos. Over the years, I have come to realise that there are ways to make the experience less painful.
For starters, ensure that your stilettos are the right size. This might sound obvious, but most foot problems are aggravated because your shoes are simply too small or too large for your feet. It does not matter how cute the heels are – if you cannot find them in your size, do not wear them! Interestingly enough, our foot size tends to change as we grow older so it is important that you get your size checked regularly and especially before shoe shopping.
After snagging the perfect pair of heels, you must “break” into them before you wear them outside of the house. Wear your heels around the house for a few minutes every day before you decide to wear them outside. It is also a great idea to have your shoes stretched out, if you can. Most professional cobblers can do this for a small sum of money. If you do not have access to a cobbler, you can also purchase wooden stretchers from most local department stores. Trust me when I tell you that this step can make all the difference!
Now, the biggest problem with most high heels is that they do not come with enough padding to support your foot. More often than not, this is the root cause of your discomfort. It is not always possible to buy stilettos that come with padding, but you can definitely buy some shoe cushions or gel inserts at great prices!
When you come home from a long day or night in high heels, remember to stretch your feet out. Better yet, soak them in a tub of warm water for ten minutes and just wiggle your toes to get the blood flowing through your feet. Also remember to massage your calf muscles because they tend to take the brunt when you wear high heels.
Finally, always remember that you should switch things up. There is enough science to prove that wearing high heels on a prolonged basis does not do a world of good to your overall health. Remember to wear flats from time to time and if you really crave some extra height, try wedges once in a while. Your feet need a break, ladies!
