High Price of Wearing Heels

Recent studies have shown that over the years, wearing high heels can actually change a person's anatomy. It is commonly understood that high heels can cause aching discomfort in feet if worn for prolonged period of time. Heels can also result in numerous types of foot deformities if worn regularly. However, this new research points to the fact that the incline of high heels, which causes calf muscles to tighten, can also cause muscle fibers to shorten and the Achilles tendon to become rigid and thicker. The result? Women who have a history of wearing high heels can experience discomfort when wearing shoes that are flat, such as sneakers and ballet flats.

The experiment that was published by the Journal of Experimental Biology compared two groups of women: one group of women had been wearing five centimeter heels for a minimum of two years and a control group of women who did not wear high heels. The results were surprising! The women who wore heels for a minimum two-years had calf muscle fibers that were 13% shorter than the women who did not wear heels. Additionally, the women who wore heels also had thicker Achilles tendons which was visible to researchers when using an MRI. It is unfortunate that women who have a history of wearing high heels now experience discomfort while wearing flatter shoes which are healthier for feet.

Overall, wearing high heels overtime can be one of the main causes for many uncomfortable conditions such as bunions, hammertoes, and nerve damage. If you are experiencing pain or are concerned about the condition of your feet or ankles, please don't hesitate to give us a call and schedule an appointment (425) 391-8666. We see patients from all over region including Issaquah, Snoqualmie, North Bend, Bellevue, Redmond, Seattle, and Mercer Island. We are conveniently open Monday-Thursday from 7am to 6pm and Friday from 8am to noon.

Shape-Up Shoes

We've noticed that certain shoes like the Sketchers 'Shape-Ups', Reebok 'EasyTone' sneakers, and Fitflops have become increasingly popular. These shoes are all different in appearance, but share a common trait: built-in instability. These shoes come with a rounded bottom, cushions, or other additions to increase instability; manufacturers claim that the instability provides a work-out for the user because it forces him/her to work harder to stay balanced.

While the jury is still out as to whether the shoes can really help facilitate weight loss, the shoes can help relieve foot pain for some. Most of these new shoes provide significant cushion for the wearer. Additionally, the rounded bottom of the shoe encourages users to walk in a 'heel-to-toe roll' which decreases impact stress to the foot.

However, the shoes can also put more tension on the back of the lower leg, especially the Achilles tendon. The rolling motion that the shoes promote can be helpful for feet, but can be hard on the Achilles tendon because it is constantly tightening. Many doctors recommend breaking in the shoes slowly to give the body time to adjust to the new shoe.

If you suffer from foot or ankle pain and live in the Issaquah/Sammamish/Snoqualmie area, give us a call and come in to see us. We specialize in biomechanical gait evaluations. During an evaluation, we discuss where you have discomfort and observe the way that you move to identify specific problems. From this, we are able to prescribe custom orthotics that are made from a cast of your foot. Presciption orthotics can help if you are dealing with a number of issues such as plantar fasciitis, arch problems, and knee pain. Call us to schedule an appointment: (425) 391-8666.