High Heels Can Change Your Muscles

High heels are fun, mysterious, playful, and exciting. Although I am certainly not anti-heel, there was a timely article recently that continues our look at the long-term health effects of wearing high heels.

Source: FYI Living

A recent study found that high heels shorten calf muscles and cause muscle stiffness.

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. 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.

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