The Dangers of Wearing High Heels and How To Find Comfort

The heel has become the gold standard in women’s footwear for almost everything, including the board room and the red carpet. But while high heels are stylish and can make the feet look flattering, they can cause you significant problems.
Heels are among the top causes of foot and ankle complaints in many countries, but women still wear it with abandon, and it’s evident that the shoes are not going away anytime soon.
If you’ve noticed constant pain in your foot every time you wear your high heels, it will help if you understand the real cost of wearing high heels to convince you not to wear your favorite shoes every day.
The Dangers of Wearing Heels

Joint Pain
According to the American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons, this can force the knee to absorb the force that comes with every step, leading to severe joint pain and a worsening of arthritis symptoms. Your ankle absorbs some of the shock as well, so expect a sore and stiff joint after a long day of wearing heels.
Callouses
Shortened Achilles Tendon
Lower Back Pain

Lack of Cushion
Some plastic surgeons even inject Botox into patients’ feet to add padding, making the heels more comfortable. They call this procedure the “stiletto lift.” Without the extra padding on the ball of your foot, you may feel immense discomfort and pain on your heels.
Falling and Sprained Ankles
However, ankles aren’t used to taking that kind of pressure, so expect frequent falls and twisted or sprained ankles when wearing heels. It’s also almost impossible to have perfect balance when wearing very high heels, so any bump in the pavement can be potentially dangerous.
Ingrown Toenails
Wearing high heels make your feet slide down and crush your toes, which can lead to ingrown toenails. You get ingrown toenails when the side of your toenail starts to grow into your flesh, which can be incredibly painful.
Constricted Blood Flow
Making Heels Safer and More Wearable

- Opt for a Platform Heel. If you’re obsessed with super high heels, try wearing thicker heels instead of stiletto to help distribute weight more evenly across the feet. A pair that features a platform through the front of the shoe is also a good choice. It provides the look of high heels but raises both the ball of the foot and the heel, placing less pressure on the ball.
- Choose a Comfort Brand. One of the best ways to avoid the pain associated with high heels without sacrificing your style is to choose the type and brand of shoes you purchase carefully. There are already several high heels brands in the market that are both fashionable and comfortable for your feet. If you are in the Denver area, you can check out different shoe brands at Fritzy Feet.
- Don’t Wear Heels Every Day. If you want to keep wearing high heeled shoes, make sure not to wear them every day to help prevent long term physical problems. It would also help limit the number of hours you wear your heels, so you know to use them only when an event or occasion won’t last long. If you’re going to do a lot of walking, dancing, or standing during the occasion, wear heels for only a few hours and then change into a stylish pair of flats. This will help save your back, joints, and tender toes from excruciating pain later.
- Select Dressy Flats. If you think you can’t wear flats for more formal occasions, think again. Flats embellished with studs, lace, or bows are a great alternative to high heels, and they look cute with dresses, skirts, and skinny jeans.
- Stretch Your Feet. If your feet are achy and sore after a long day of wearing heels, sit on your couch and place a golf ball or tennis ball under your foot. Roll the ball up and down your foot while applying pressure on it to relieve your tight muscles and tendons.
- Add Orthopedic Pads. If your favorite heels lack support, your best option is to add orthopedic insoles or pads. Most high heels are slim and hard to fit, so thin gel pads will work wonders in giving you more support under the ball of your foot or throughout the entire sole and make your favorite shoes more wearable.
- Use Custom Orthotics. Many podiatrists agree that the best and most effective way to reduce the force and avoid pain on the hell and the ball of the foot is to use a specialized custom orthotic. Custom orthotics will remove the pressure off your feet’ painful areas and provide extra cushion under the forefoot. Orthotics for high heels must be custom-made to fit the narrow shape and design of heels. You can come to see us for an orthotics consultation at the Fritzy Feet, and we can fit you for custom inserts.
There might not be any other shoes that can make your legs look nice or make you feel good besides heels. But, you don’t need to suffer for style. Fritzy Feet can help you feel comfortable while wearing the shoes you want. To get started, contact us at 303-343-4444 or send us a message at denver@fritzyfeet.com. You may also visit us at 2243 S Monaco Parkway, Suite 110, Denver, Colorado 80222. We carry a wide range of shoe brands that offer style and comfort.
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