Not only can brand new high heels look absolutely fantastic, they can also cause foot and low back pain as well. Poor footwear can cause difficulties in the feet, knees, hips, low back, and up the entire spine. The best shoes for your body are flat and provide adequate support for your feet. However, there are times when high heels are your shoe of choice for many reasons. Try to follow the tips below in order to help your feet and body stay healthy.

Shopping for Shoes.

You should shop in the afternoon or evening as your feet can accumulate fluid and swell throughout the day. Thus, what might have been comfortable earlier in the day may now be tight.

Choosing a Shoe.

  1. Make sure to select the correct shoe size and measure both feet. It is not uncommon to have different sized feet. Stand up when taking measurements as your feet expand when standing.
  2. Not all shoes are created equally. The same shoe size can have different fits depending on the manufacturer. Make sure to try several sizes to find the most comfortable shoe. Walk around the store with both shoes on and see how your feet feel.
  3. Choose a heel height that you can walk in gracefully. The effect of a high heel is easily negated by a clumsy walk.
  4. Try to choose a shoe with a heel height of no more than two inches. It’s a good compromise height that will still create the arched posture associate with high heels without sending you tipping out of them.
  5. To maximize stability without sacrificing the look of a slender heel, choose a heel that has a narrow silhouette when viewed from the side and a broader base when viewed from the back. Stiletto heels provide very little support.
  6. Try to avoid buying a recessed heel, as it is one of the most unstable heel styles. This is where the heel is indented from the back of the shoe.
  7. Avoid shoes with many thin straps, as these tend to dig into your skin causing pain and swelling. If the straps are too tight, they can also cut your feet.
  8. The material used to make the shoe can also make a difference. Leather or nylon mesh allow for more breathing and flexibility in the feet.
  9. Avoid buying shoes that you feel need a break in period. Shoes should be comfortable from the first time you put them on.
  10. Ensure that the shoes have good support for the arches of your feet. If not, an arch support can be used in a closed shoe.

Helping your feet along the way.

  1. You can place a cushioning pad into the front of the shoe to pad the balls of your feet. This will also help keep your toes from getting wedged into the front of the shoe.
  2. High heeled shoes slant the foot forward and down at the same time, bending the toes up. This causes shortening of the achilles tendon and tightening of your calves. Thus it is important to regularily stretch those muscles.
  3. Take a break from your shoes now and then. Slip off your shoes discretely and stretch some of the tensed muscles. Wiggle your toes and make circles with your ankles to help increase circulation.
  4. Try not to stand or walk for long periods of time. If you are wearing high heels to work, put them on when you get there. Wear walking shoes or runners on your way there and home again.
  5. Maintain good posture while walking. When standing, your head, shoulders, hips, and ankles should all line up, one comfortably above the other.

The day after a hard night.

After a hard night on your feet, try to give them a break. Wear a low comfortable shoe the next day to rest your muscles. Soak your feet in warm water or give them a nice massage and stretch.

Remember, the lower the shoe, the more you can do.