We
know you love your high heels, so we
won't even hint at the fact that you'd be better off in sneakers. At the
same time, what good is that great pair of red patent-leather stilettos if all
you can do is sit and admire them?
If
you’re going to wear high heels, according
to WebMD’s combined advice from two experts, along with suggestions from the
American Podiatric Association, consider the following to protect your feet:
1. Get the
best-fitting high heel possible. While this may seem like a
given, stop and think: How many pairs of high
heels cause your feet to slide to the front, leaving a gap big
enough for a small cell phone behind your heel? Mogul says high heels that don't fit properly
cause the front of the foot to fly forward, creating more pressure -- and pain
-- on toes. Look for narrow heels with a snug but not tight fit to correct the
problem.
2. Cushion,
cushion, cushion. While a full-shoe insert can help, if you have pain
in the ball of the foot -- or you'll be standing in your heels a long time --
invest in silicone metatarsal pads. They look like flattened gummy bears, but
they do a super job of shock absorption, says Morin. "It's like
replacing the fat padding you lost."
3. Wear a
thicker heel for stability. "A thicker heel will give you better
balance and may help relieve some pressure by distributing the weight on your
foot more evenly," says Morin. Alternating heel heights can also help
reduce problems with the Achilles tendon.
4. Pay
attention to the "slope" or "pitch" of the heel.
While some 4-inch high heels will
give you a straight drop down to the flatbed portion of the shoe, others will
be a more gradual slope. This may be easier on the arch, says Morin, and might
help relieve some pain in the ball of the foot.
5. Wear
open-toe high heels to relieve pressure on corns and calluses. See a
podiatrist to have corns and calluses professionally removed and correct the
problem that’s causing them. But if that's not possible, opt for open-toe shoes
to take pressure off inflamed areas.
Read the entire article on webmd:http://women.webmd.com/features/tips-to-avoid-foot-pain-from-high-heels