Article by Prewit P

Stiletto Heels- the fashion crime!

Last night as I was going through the news paper, an interesting article caught my attention; “stiletto debate- empowering or enslaving”? For decades women are struggling to decide whether stiletto heels are the ultimate in glamorous female – domination or ultimate concession to male fantasy !

Recent times, debate has grown so louder that society of chiropodists and podiatrists even proposed a ban on stiletto heels in the work place! Guess what, only a bunch of men came up to support that .

Why women are so obsessive about stiletto heels?

When I asked this question to my cousin Nitya, she says its feminist issue – to look attractive. A woman journalist confessed that her five inch killer heels transforms five feet four  average height working mother of two into five foot ten business journalist, who feels she can take on  the world. My cousin says high heel make her feel sexy because high heels puts foot in plantar flexed position (foot pointed downward) and so body automatically adjusts the posture to maintain the balance by budging the lower portion of the body outward and upper portion of the body lean backward tossing the chest outward  and it also elongates the visual appearance of legs. Mmmm, I must confess that stiletto heels are the “ultimate male fantasy”! Ooops, did I over express???

Stiletto heels and health

Surprisingly, most of the women, despite all the discomfort, still prefer to wear high heels. According to a study by podiatrist, comfort is secondary concern for women and 40 % of the women admit wearing uncomfortable shoes, so long they are fashionable. I have always wondered why my pretty looking colleague carries constant-constipated look . Secret unrevealed! That is in return of bargain to stay fashionable. No matter how fashionable, sexy, chick you look in those 5 inch stiletto heels, the discomfort will show in the face. I call this a “FASHION CRIME”.  Some wise men had written “to forget your worries, wear shoes one size smaller”. How true!

Well, it’s true that stylish high heels can make you look sexy, taller and even vertigo –inducing but, at what cost? High heels can cause problems to lady’s knee, ankle and feet. There are less dangerous immediate visible problems like ankle sprains, blisters, corns, calluses, pump bump, metatarsalgia (pain in the ball of the feet), break due to roll over on high heels etc. However, there are more serious problems that develop after decade of wearing high heels like Osteoarthritis, Achilles Tendonitis, haglund’s deformity, lower back pain etc.

Did you know 80% of the 42 million Americans suffering from Arthritis have Osteoarthritis and surgeon performs 3, 00,000, artificial knee replacements every year. Wow ! Wish I was an orthopedist!

Osteoarthritis is a painful degenerative joint disease characterized by breakdown of articular cartilage within the joint. Articular cartilage is a firm, rubbery material that covers the end of a bone and act as cushion or shock absorber between the bones. High heels give abnormal stress to front and back knee resulting in breaking down of articular cartilage. When it breaks down, cushion is lost and bones grind together causing symptoms like pain, swelling and decreased motion.

Friendly Tips for Fashion Shoe ward robe

Planning to give up high heels? Can you think of living with out fashion accessories? Fashion and comfort don’t have to be at odds. Just make some small adjustments and you will be up for it

1. Try mixing flat and low pumps with high, to your daily shoe ward robe.
2. High heel of 1.5 inch to 2 inch will be a safer bet and your feet will thank you for that.
3. Save your high heels for special occasions. Where ever possible, wear flat for distance walking and change into once you get to the destination. Always take smaller steps with high heels.
4. If your high heels are backless, the muscle strain will be more. So avoid wearing it for longer time.
5. Every day, relax your feet by stretching your heel and calf muscle. Lying down with your feet up is also very relaxing for the feet.