There has been much debate in recent years over the negative impacts that high heels can have on your body. Doctors shake their heads in dismay when women come to them with back problems, osteopaths tut, and the local newspaper's health section goes into a frenzy about the evils of stilettos. But are they really that bad? All right, after you wear them, your feet can be a little painful and your calves might twinge a bit for a couple of days, but once worn on a regular basis, your body does get accustomed to high heels - and your calves and feet will be tougher for it.
It is high time someone tackled these myths head-on. Some already have: earlier this year the BBC published an article which argued that wearing high heels can actually be beneficial. We shall therefore challenge three common myths about the stiletto, and then examine the ways in which heels might have a positive influence on the body.
Myth #1: Heels lead to back problems. Top Osteopaths say this isn't necessarily true. Not everyone will automatically suffer from back injuries as a result of wearing stilettos - only those who are predisposed to back grievances are more likely to have them. Of course, walking on 8-inch heels all week can lead to postural problems (as a result of too much pressure on the ankles), this should not be a problem if you take care of yourself. Instead of wearing stilettos all day, for instance, wear them only at places such as the office, while wearing trainers at home, and while you travel to and from the office.
Myth #2: Stilettos create stiffness in the neck and lumbar spine. Not so. Osteopaths say that stiffness has very little to do with the fact that you are wearing high heels, and has everything to do with how you wear them. If you already have a postural problem before slipping on shoes, such as the disposition to tilt backwards slightly, then heels are likely to aggravate the problem as they put pressure on the lower back. However, if you adopt a straight and erect posture before putting on stilettos, then it is very unlikely that you experience any problems. In many cases, high heels have the tendency to correct a woman's bad posture by forcing them to balance themselves, so stiffness is not a direct result of wearing stilettos.
Myth #3: Heels are bad for your muscles in general. Again, a common misconception. Your muscles can become sore by wearing heels excessively, but this can all be avoided as suggested for Myth #1. In fact, a recent study reveals that women who wear stilettos have tighter pelvic muscles and stronger legs. As long as you vary the type of shoe you are wearing every day, you face no danger of overexerting your muscles.
Another interesting advantage of stilettos -as the BBC article revealed - is that they can improve your sex life. The article quotes a study conducted by Italian Urologist Dr. Cerruto in which she explains that the heel forces the foot in an angle so that it exercises and strengthens the pelvic floor functions. A woman's pelvic muscles are very important to sexual performance, so the notion that intercourse may be improved simply by wearing heels is a welcoming one indeed.
Regardless of what myths or truths you chose to believe about stilettos, the bottom line is that there is always a solution that is right for you. If you do experience long-term problems, do not hesitate to contact your osteopath, but remember that these issues are not necessarily linked with the heels you wear.
It is high time someone tackled these myths head-on. Some already have: earlier this year the BBC published an article which argued that wearing high heels can actually be beneficial. We shall therefore challenge three common myths about the stiletto, and then examine the ways in which heels might have a positive influence on the body.
Myth #1: Heels lead to back problems. Top Osteopaths say this isn't necessarily true. Not everyone will automatically suffer from back injuries as a result of wearing stilettos - only those who are predisposed to back grievances are more likely to have them. Of course, walking on 8-inch heels all week can lead to postural problems (as a result of too much pressure on the ankles), this should not be a problem if you take care of yourself. Instead of wearing stilettos all day, for instance, wear them only at places such as the office, while wearing trainers at home, and while you travel to and from the office.
Myth #2: Stilettos create stiffness in the neck and lumbar spine. Not so. Osteopaths say that stiffness has very little to do with the fact that you are wearing high heels, and has everything to do with how you wear them. If you already have a postural problem before slipping on shoes, such as the disposition to tilt backwards slightly, then heels are likely to aggravate the problem as they put pressure on the lower back. However, if you adopt a straight and erect posture before putting on stilettos, then it is very unlikely that you experience any problems. In many cases, high heels have the tendency to correct a woman's bad posture by forcing them to balance themselves, so stiffness is not a direct result of wearing stilettos.
Myth #3: Heels are bad for your muscles in general. Again, a common misconception. Your muscles can become sore by wearing heels excessively, but this can all be avoided as suggested for Myth #1. In fact, a recent study reveals that women who wear stilettos have tighter pelvic muscles and stronger legs. As long as you vary the type of shoe you are wearing every day, you face no danger of overexerting your muscles.
Another interesting advantage of stilettos -as the BBC article revealed - is that they can improve your sex life. The article quotes a study conducted by Italian Urologist Dr. Cerruto in which she explains that the heel forces the foot in an angle so that it exercises and strengthens the pelvic floor functions. A woman's pelvic muscles are very important to sexual performance, so the notion that intercourse may be improved simply by wearing heels is a welcoming one indeed.
Regardless of what myths or truths you chose to believe about stilettos, the bottom line is that there is always a solution that is right for you. If you do experience long-term problems, do not hesitate to contact your osteopath, but remember that these issues are not necessarily linked with the heels you wear.
About the Author:
Andrew Mitchell, editor of Osteopath Network, writes articles about osteopaths, back pain, neck pain and soft tissue injuries. If you are looking for a Winchester Osteopaths please visit his website.
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