7 Reasons to Ditch High Heels

Think you look sexy in those stilettos and hot in those heels? It could be at the expense of your health. Here are 7 reasons to ditch the heels and opt for some of the sexy new flat and low-heeled shoes instead.

1. Low Back Pain–“High heels force you to walk with the pelvis arched forward causing hyperlordosis (backward bending) of the lumbar spine,” says chiropractor and acupuncturist Dr. Robert Laquerre at Alta Vista Chiropractic in Ottawa, Canada. This unnatural curvature of the spine places excessive stress and strain on the low back which may result in low back pain.

2. Knee Strain and Arthritis–Some studies have linked high heels to an increased risk of knee strain and arthritis in the knees. In a study published in the The Lancet, Harvard researchers linked wearing high heels with a height around 2.7 inches to a 24 percent increase in knee strain.

3. Fatigue and Reduced Blood Flow to the Brain–Heels over 2 inches high can “increase muscular tension throughout the lower extremity, constricting blood vessels and limiting blood supply to muscles and to the brain,” says Dr. Laquerre. The result? “This can lead to a reduced flow of oxygen and nutrients to surrounding muscles and possibly the brain thereby contributing to an increased fatigue feeling.”

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Michelle Schoffro Cook, BSc, RNCP, ROHP, DNM

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

KARLOLINA G.

11:08AM PST on Dec 3, 2011

Thanks

send a green star

CV M.

9:04AM PST on Nov 30, 2011

yep

Michele W.

10:21AM PST on Nov 29, 2011

Thank you

Frances D.

6:52AM PST on Nov 29, 2011

I've got foot problems, as did my mother , and I rarely wore very high or pointed shoes. I do warn my youngest girl as she goes out in very, very high heels but she just says "it's in my genes so I'm damned anywhy" She doesn't know the pain that could be ahead of her, but the price of fashion (and she is only 5ft 4inches).

Jane P.

3:38PM PDT on Apr 14, 2011

Because of my diabetes, comfortable feet is a must. I usually don't wear heels. Heels are bad for our legs and feet. My son, who is autistic, uncrosses my legs when I cross them. Somehow he knows this is not a healthy thing to do.

Brenda T.

2:55AM PST on Mar 6, 2011

Keep them for very special occasions only. Don't wear them every day.

Fallon R.

8:12PM PST on Mar 3, 2011

This really sucks, because I love heels!

Michelle H.

4:28AM PST on Feb 17, 2011

wear wedges instead?

daria o.

2:55AM PST on Feb 14, 2011

Apparently we are all fashion victims, we all believe that high heels make us look attractive, slimmer, taller, the way society categorizes healthy and beautiful people. And of course, none of the women who wear high heels would never also wear them if they were alone on a deserted island so they only reason they exist is because we are trained to think that we need them. Wouldn’t it be so much better if all women would just exercise down all that weight gathered from too much inactivity, that they consider too curvy so that they don’t “need” silhouette adjustments? Or better yet, why not training our minds to see that beauty and attractiveness has nothing to do with the models imposed by society?

Angelica S.

5:19PM PST on Feb 13, 2011

I haven't worn heels in months due to a ACL injury/surgery.

I love wearing them though, they make my butt and legs look great!