FYI Health Tip
High heels may be a fashion statement but they can shorten calf muscles and cause muscle stiffness, so wear them wisely.
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Nothing makes a leg look better than a sexy patent leather 4-inch stiletto. Not only do they lengthen the leg and give woman a more towering stature, but they just look sexy. Of course the trade-off is that those sexy little shoes can do some serious injury to your legs and feet. A recent study found that high heels shorten calf muscles and cause muscle stiffness.
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Loading ...The study compared two groups of women; one group of 11 volunteers had worn high heels at least five days a week for two years or more while the other group of nine women had not. The study found that subjects who always wore heels had shorter calf muscles, stiffer Achilles tendons and less ankle motion than their flat wearing counterparts.
No matter how great they look, constantly wearing high heels can cause damage and pain from bunions to shrinking your calf muscles to sprained ankles from falling. Here are a few tips to help with heels.
1 Make sure your shoes fit properly.
2. Feet swell sometimes. Before wearing new shoes, stretch them out first by wearing them with socks around the house.
3. Get cushiony shoe inserts for extra padding
4. Scuff up the bottom if there is no traction so you don’t slip and twist your ankle.
5. Stretch out your calves.
6. Wear open toe shoes to relieve pressure and scrunching on your toes.
We’re not suggesting you never wear heels again; they are fun, sexy and make your legs look hot. But if you’re going to be doing a lot of walking or you’ll be on your feet all day, bring some flats with you. Take a little break and put on some cushiony, flat walking shoes; a short walk is not only good for your legs and feet but also for your heart and waistline.
The supporting research
High Heels May Hurt Calf And Tendon Study Finds
Summary
This study investigates the effects of prolonged use of high heels by women. Wearing high heels imposes a shortened position on the unit of muscle and tendon or connective tissue between the muscles and the bones of the calf region in legs. Muscles and tendons in the calf area are delicate tissues and might change structurally and functionally in response to prolonged use of high heels. This study tested this hypothesis on women wearing high heels, in comparison with a control group of women who did not wear high heels. Special tests were done on calf muscles. High heels were found to shorten the length and increase the stiffness of specific calf muscles.
Introduction
Skeletal muscles are known to undergo changes in structure and function upon continuous exposure to mechanical pressure. It has been tested in animal models where muscles acquire a shortened position if immobility is imposed. In women wearing high heels, the length of the calf muscle and connective tissue unit reduces forcibly because of the angular lift on the heel. Previous studies have shown that in human beings, different leg muscles adapt to continuous functions like running or cycling. Moreover, the calf muscles and the connective tissues are sensitive to prolonged mechanical stress. The study, therefore, hypothesizes that calf muscles and tendons can undergo permanent changes due to long-term use of high heels.
Methodology
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I am not a big fan of high heels. I am not saying this to be mean, and believe everyone should wear whatever they want. Though, I have never seen a woman in heels and thought that they made her look any sexier than if she wasn't wearing them. In fact, I usually take notice to how they don't make her look sexy. The awkward looking she's about to fall on her face posture is what I notice the most. It's the look that comes from having her breast too far forward and her butt too far up and out.
I use Insolia Inserts which are designed to actually better my posture, which in turn prevents a lot of the damage you mention in this artic.e.
