Despite complaining constantly about foot pain after wearing high heel shoes for a whole day, many women insist on wearing these modern torture devices for the sake of fashion and beauty. Wearing high-heeled footwear on a daily basis may be the cause for structural foot deformities resulting in serious long-term damage to their feet and lower body.

The main reason that frequent high heel use leads to acute foot pain is that human feet were not meant for using high heels. On the other hand, high-heeled shoes were not designed to provide foot comfort either. Our feet are designed to provide us with strength and balance while walking or running. Wearing high heel shoes can change the shape and structure of our feet, which causes pain and inhibit proper foot function over time.

Women who wear high heel shoes are not the only ones who suffer from ball-of-foot pain. This condition can also occur when wearing normal shoes, especially after walking for long periods of time or standing all day at their jobs. Ball-of-foot pain is also caused by over-pronation of the feet, and can be alleviated by wearing a full-length orthotic insole that features a metatarsal raise to help relieve the pressure and friction in the ball of the foot.

Women experience metatarsalgia when they wear high heels because their feet slide forward into the shoes, inevitably forcing their bodies to redistribute their weight while creating unnatural pressure points and disrupting the natural alignment of our body..

The foot pain ailments as a result of wearing high heels shoes are numerous. Some of the most common ones are metatarsalgia (ball of foot pain), callous and corns, bunions, hammertoe, Achilles tendonitis, among others.

The uncomfortable ball-of-foot pain condition is one of the most common consequences of wearing high-heel shoes frequently, and it happens when the heads of the metatarsal bones become inflamed as a result of excessive pressure. The consequence is a painful condition of the metatarsal area, just below the toes.

People who suffer from ball-of-foot pain usually feel a burning and tingling sensation on the ball of the foot. There is also an excessive accumulation of callous in the same region. Wearing high heels for long periods of time can worsen the situation. If you need to wear high-heel shoes, orthotic insoles for high heel shoes are recommended in order to reestablish biomechanical alignment of the feet.

Tips to Minimize Foot Pain When Wearing High Heels

  • Get regular foot massages to alleviate muscle soreness and improve circulation of blood.
  • Buy leather shoes instead of synthetics.
  • Save your high heel shoes for special occasions instead of wearing them every day.
  • Stick to one height. Having many shoes of different heel heights can lead to inflammation of the Achilles tendon.
  • Go for wider shoes instead of narrow ones.
  • Always bring spare running or tennis shoes.
  • Wear orthotics for high heels to correct foot mechanics and walk more comfortably.
  • Do stretches before walking or before doing any strenuous physical activity.
  • Buying shoes in the afternoon or at night allows a better fit.
  • Seek medical attention if you feel constant pain in any part of your feet.

The modern fashion of wearing high-heel shoes is a torture technique that reminds us of the ancient tradition of foot binding. When deciding when to wear high-heeled shoes, please remember that health and comfort are always more important than beauty and fashion.