BEAUTY KLINIC

Recent years have given way to much controversy about the negative effects of high heels on your body. Doctors tut when women come to them with back problems, osteopaths sigh, and the health sections of newspapers go all out to warn us about the evils of the stiletto. But are they really that bad? Granted, high heels make your calves a little tender for a couple of days after you’re worn them, and your feet may be slightly sore, but once you wear heels on a regular basis, your body gets used to them - and your calves and feet will be stronger for it.

It is high time someone put these rumours to rest. Some people have done so already: earlier this year, an article was published by the BBC which argued that high heels do have benefits on the body. Here we shall challenge three of the most common myths regarding stilettos, and proceed to look at the ways in which your body can benefit from them.

Myth #1: High heels are a source of back problems. Senior osteopaths say this is not necessarily the case. Only those with a pre-disposition for back injuries are likely to get one - but that doesn’t mean all of us will suffer as a result of wearing heels. While it is true that walking on 8-inch stilettos for days on end can result in too much pressure being put on the front of the ankles (which leads to postural problems) if you wear your heels wisely, this should not be a problem. Instead of walking to work in high heels, for instance, keep the stilettos at the office and commute to work in your trainers.

Myth #2 : Stilettos cause the lower back and neck to become stiff. Not exactly. Stiffness, osteopaths claim, has less to do with the fact that you’re wearing heels, and more to do with how you wear them. If you are already experiencing postural problems even without wearing shoes (such as tilting your back), then of course stilettos will problem make that problem worse as they add pressure to the lower back. If you make sure you are standing straight and assume the right posture before you slip on the heels, however, you avoid any future problems. If fact, high heels often have the tendency to correct a woman’s posture, as they help them balance their weight. Stiffness is therefore no 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.

Despite the many myths that float around regarding stilettos, there is always a solution for your individual needs. As long as you pay attention to the cues your body gives off, and you wear high heels in moderation, there should be no reason for you to sacrifice those sexy stilettos.

Tags: advice, alternative medicine, back pain, back pain relief, Fitness, frozen shoulder, health, neck pain, neck pain relief, osteopathic, osteopaths, osteopathy, sciatica, shoulder pain, sports injuries, stiff back

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