Does it make sense to walk in heels?

Over time, the joints lose mobility, the big toe twists towards the rest, a characteristic thickening appears, the foot is permanently deformed and you have to walk with a lower heel – the only one that turns out to be comfortable.

High heels? What should be shoes for varicose veins?

Phlebologist, vascular surgeon, ultrasound doctor of the Gradient Clinic, member of the Union of Phlebologists of Russia.

But what if you have varicose veins - you probably prefer comfortable shoes, and your doctor has probably warned you that high heels are not desirable.

Walking in high heels (more than 5-6 cm) puts pressure on the calf muscles and disrupts blood flow. If this pressure on the vessels is constant, varicose veins develop: the vein walls are stretched, the vein valves are damaged and no longer close tightly. Poor circulation also damages the valves of the venous connections, the blood from the deep system begins to flood the superficial system - the veins begin to protrude and become visible. The blood begins to pool in the veins, you feel tired, your legs are heavy, you have pain and your feet swell in the evening.

However, if you wear high-heeled shoes, you need to do 10-20 flexions at least once an hour - this relaxes the calf muscles and improves blood flow. Compression knitwear reduces the stress on your veins - you can afford to wear heels for a while.

You ask for a flat sole?
Surprisingly not - a completely flat sole is only suitable for walking on a relieved surface. When walking on a flat surface - asphalt, tile, parquet, etc. - the heel must be lifted, otherwise the foot will deform, which will lead to reduced blood circulation in the legs.

So what kind of shoes should it be?

• The heel height should be 3-5 cm (from the base of the sole to under the toes).
• The shoe should fit snugly but not put pressure on the foot - there should be a small gap between the toes and the foot.
• Prefer lace-ups - these can be adjusted at the end of the day if your feet are swollen.
• The cuff should be rigid.
• The sole should be flexible. Ask your orthopedist to fit you with an individual footbed.
• Make sure your feet don't get too hot, especially in summer, so choose open-toed shoes.
• When choosing your sports shoes, remember that there are models with special insoles that improve blood circulation.

Make an appointment with a phlebologist or ask your questions about phlebology and vein treatment by phone:

Phlebology across all borders'.

Do a simple test. Take off your shoes and walk around on tiptoe. You'll immediately feel your lower leg and back muscles tighten and your stomach tighten. If none of this happens, you're probably ready to walk the manly way in stilettos: half bent over and feet wide apart.

The first organ that high heels come into contact with is the foot. It is an absolutely unique part of the human body, the only one that is in constant contact with the surface on which we walk. The foot acts as a transmitter of information to the body, from which the human body learns to support itself and to make the necessary static and dynamic corrections.

The shoe is the first place where the foot receives information. The foot has more than 30 joints that give it great adaptability not only to the support surface but also to the shape of the shoe and heel. The thinner and slimmer the high heel is, the less stable the support is, and the more dangerous the shoe becomes.

When the foot is in a heeled shoe, the forefoot lies flat on the sole and takes the most stress. And the higher the heel, the more the metatarsophalangeal joints are flexed, overloaded and locked into the limited volume of the shoe.

Therefore, in order to choose comfortable high-heeled shoes, three basic conditions must be taken into account: stability of the heel, security of supination and the freedom to put the toes in the toe of the shoe. This is necessary in order not to deprive the foot of its minimal freedom of movement.

About the insole

Let's talk about the insole. What is a supinator? Basically, it is an orthosis (insole) for the ankles to keep them in a certain position. But all women's feet are different. And in every shoe model that is industrially manufactured, the supinators are the same. They only fit a select few and make it difficult for thousands of women to move around in heels.

I will tell you my opinion on this. The 'supportive' qualities of such shoes are often a good marketing ploy. When convex supinators are not available in high-heeled shoes and the foot really needs support and pressure relief, a custom-made orthotic can solve the problem.

Use

So, yes, your eyes aren't fooling you and those dreaded high heels have advantages! Here are some reasons why you should wear heels at least occasionally:

1. They are a real weapon when a blind date goes horribly wrong...
2. They're bigger, which means it's a lot easier to spot the tray of snacks/cute dudes/free wine at the party itself first.
3. Heels can instantly change the whole look. Combine your pajamas with a nice pair of shoes and voilà, you have a trendy look!

How do you keep your feet healthy?

What if you can't do without heels because you're bound by a strict dress code at work, for example? Or you just don't feel like it? In stilettos you feel like a queen, but without them you feel like a dwarf who escaped from Snow White.

1. first of all. don't skimp on the shoes.. We girls all love low prices, but we have to be realistic: democratic brands sell high-heeled shoes for 999 rubles, but the quality of such a purchase…. mmm, leaves a lot to be desired.
   Maybe budget brands are good at copying shoe designs, but they don't want to copy the comfortable fit and quality materials. Be on the lookout for special offers and big discounts at stores that sell quality goods.
2. And always be careful when choosing shoes, even if they are heelless shoes. Don't rush to buy a specific pair just because of price or color. Make sure that there is an insole under the insole and that the heel is stable: if the heel moves sideways or backwards when you press on the shoe, you should definitely refuse to buy such shoes. Also, be realistic about your abilities when choosing heels. You may like a 17-centimetre heel very much, but if you can only stand on it nicely and grind your teeth in pain, it is better to refrain from such a sacrifice. When trying them on in the store, put on both shoes at the same time, stand up straight and try to stand on tiptoe so that the distance between your heels and the floor is at least 2 centimeters..

It's not just about the price of the shoes. The best example is Victoria Beckham. Hardly any pair of shoes are cheaper than £1,000, but Beckham's feet still suffer. And why? Yes, because her choice of admittedly stylish but absolutely killer shoes is record-breaking!

men and heels.

Incidentally, historians believe that the heel was originally invented by men and for men. Heeled shoes were worn not only by the pampered Roman patricians, but by virtually all peoples who knew how to ride - the heel makes it easier to control the horse and not lose the stirrups.

With today's classic men's shoes, a heel height of 2 to 4 cm is considered the norm. However, fashion designers are trying their best to bring the stronger sex back to the Middle Ages, when court beauties suffered from the same problems as modern day beauties (sometimes fashion forced them to wear heels several inches high).

Rui Leonardes, for example, incorporates wedge heels into their collections, while Rick Owens offers chunky heels. Dolce & Gabbana and Jean Paul Gaultier are no strangers to fashion trends, as their spring/summer 2007 collections featured striking platform heels.

Orthoses for vein problems in the legs

If your favorite shoes are no longer comfortable or every type of shoe causes pain, orthopedic insoles can help. It is a versatile accessory that can be chosen for any type and model of shoe, and there are also therapeutic insoles for high-heeled shoes. Orthopedic insoles are designed to reduce the impact load on the arch of the foot, relax the ligaments and not restrict blood flow. With orthopedic insoles, you will no longer feel the typical pain in your ankle, Achilles tendon or calf muscles for the rest of the day.

Foot care before and after wearing shoes

Support the health of your feet with the right footwear and regular, uncomplicated care at home. In particular, a morning and evening alternating shower tightens the leg muscles, relieves fatigue and improves blood circulation.

Take short rest breaks to reduce the stress on your feet when wearing high-heeled shoes: remove your shoes for 15 minutes and perform a light foot self-massage.

Before going to bed, place a pillow under your feet, 15-20 cm above your body, for 10 minutes. This relieves the veins in the feet.

leg joints

With a heel height of up to 4 cm, the load is distributed relatively evenly over the different parts of the foot. The joints are free to move, the muscles work normally. But The higher the heel, the more the load is redistributed, distributing up to 80 % of body weight to the forefoot.When a woman is standing. When she tiptoes, every 100 % can fall off, because women often walk in heels as if they were tiptoeing, with no load on the heel at all.

As a result, high-heeled shoes provoke the development of the same ailments that are occupational diseases of assembly line workers, cooks, hairdressers and shop assistants. A typical consequence is transverse flatfoot, an irreversible change in the forefoot. The joint in the area of the first toe is often deformed and a so-called hallux valgus develops, which is colloquially referred to as a 'ball' or 'bump' on the foot. This is not only unsightly and causes many problems when choosing footwear - it is also sometimes very painful.

The change in foot position caused by high heels also affects the knee joints. In 'normal' shoes, people roll: the foot comes forward, rests on the heel and then rolls over the entire foot, resulting in a soft feeling when walking. This springy function of the foot doesn't work properly with high heels. The knee joint receives a direct impact, as in a sprint. The more you walk in heels, the more likely you are to develop meniscus inflammation, cartilage degeneration, arthritis and osteoarthritis, etc.

shin

Not only orthopedists, but also phlebologists consider high heels to be a harmful invention. The constant tension in the lower leg muscles gives women's legs an attractive appearance, but leads to vascular damage over time.

In addition to being involved in movement, the leg muscles also perform another important function: they push blood up through the veins to the heart. Special valves in the veins prevent the backflow of blood under the influence of gravity. However, if their function is impaired, the blood stagnates, the vessels widen and deform. If large veins are affected, one speaks of varicose veins. If smaller blood vessels - arterioles, venules, capillaries - are affected, a telangiectasia (venous network) develops.

Women already have a significantly higher risk of developing these diseases than men. The walls of blood vessels are made of protein, which is very resistant to stretching, and the female sex hormone estrogen contributes to this stretching. Pregnancy and childbirth increase the likelihood of varicose veins. And as if that wasn't enough, women also wear stilettos! The heavy use of the legs is one of the main causes of varicose veins.

Unit volume

For many women, a high heel means an eternal struggle between comfort, functionality and beauty. Undoubtedly, wearing high-heeled shoes increases a woman's attractiveness. Over time, however, there are very unpleasant changes in the foot. With the constant pressure of wearing high heels, the big toes begin to shift and lumps form on the inside of the foot. The foot becomes increasingly flat, causing severe pain. Wearing high-heeled shoes leads to poor vascular perfusion by stretching and compressing soft tissue.

In particularly advanced cases, only a double operation can help. This consists of two steps: first, metal joints and screws are inserted to realign the leg bones, and then a second operation is required to remove these implants. The latest invention in orthopedics are self-dissolving implant screws. The special biological material from which they are made dissolves after about 15 months, so a second operation is not necessary. Although these devices make surgery easier, it is far better to avoid this type of leg injury and get help sooner.

An effective means of prevention and early treatment are insoles with a custom-made supinator. The special material of the insoles is heated with a special device. The insole becomes flexible and adapts to your specific shape and size.

This insole allows you to prolong the wearing of heels - when walking, it supports the arch of the foot and ensures that the load is evenly distributed over the entire foot. This simple measure prevents bone deformities, thickening and flat feet. Your foot will stay in the right shape!

As Makinyan medical candidate Levon Gagikovich, an expert in foot surgery, treatment of trauma and osteoarthritis, and joint arthroplasty, said in an interview with the Zdorovie-info website, heels can only be worn once the skeleton is fully formed. And in order not to harm health, it is recommended to wear heels no more than two hours a day. If necessary, it is better to put deposits. However, choosing off-the-shelf insoles is not always justified – every foot is different, so it is advisable and more effective to have them made to measure.

What happens to your feet when you wear heels?

The middle toes are raised while the thumb and little toe are lowered. The combination of a narrow toe and a high heel (more than 5 cm) is particularly dangerous: the body weight pushes the foot into a wedge-shaped space, and the middle metatarsal bones carry the load.

– In the narrow toe box, the big toe shifts and pushes the second toe up. There is deformity of the second toe and hyperkeratosis (or callus) on the prominent part of the thumb. As a result, the thumb knuckles are most affected. The cause is the same: the foot flattens under the constant pressure of body weight and position in a narrow wedge-shaped space.

– The metatarsal bone is similar. It shifts outward, again forming a painful 'bulge' at its base.

– Wearing tight shoes also leads to synovitis of the metatarsophalangeal joint 1. i 5. Or the development of synovitis. The consequences of paraplegic flatfoot are therefore often referred to as 'gout'.

– High heels not only have a negative effect on the forefootbut also on the hindfoot and the forefoot. The problem is that the load on the small joints of the foot, the tarsal joint and the ankle, is distributed in a completely non-physiological way: some parts of the foot are overloaded while others are almost relaxed.

– High heels do not allow the foot to fulfill its cushioning function. Normally, the foot acts like a spring with every step, cushioning the load. Every step in high-heeled shoes puts a strain on the spine, which leads to herniated discs, osteochondrosis and seemingly unjustified back pain.

– Many people wear high-heeled and pointed-toe shoes all the time, but have no such problems. And why? It is about the structure of the connective tissue, which is responsible for the mobility of tendons and ligaments and for holding the bones in a certain position. Everything depends on the structure of collagen (protein in composition/formation): a person may not even be aware that wearing such shoes in his case will inevitably lead to unpleasant consequences in the form of flat feet and other deformations.

Contraindications for wearing high-heeled shoes

Shoes with heels can be contraindicated in certain diseases:

• – Arthritis, arthrosis, osteochondrosis
• - thrombophlebitis
• – rheumatism
• – varicose veins
• – overweight
• – advanced scoliosis
• - circulatory disorders
• – broken bones
• – badly bruised big toe

It is also better to stay away from high-heeled shoes in late pregnancy, as they cause the body to lean forward and the spine to tilt back more to achieve a stable position. A side effect of wearing high heels at this time can be frequent back pain. Massages are of great help in this position.

Calluses are a nuisance that causes discomfort when wearing high heels. However, this is no reason to do without them; use special heels and go to the gym, spa treatments, and pedicures more often to fix these problems.

Advice for beginners

Don't be afraid to walk in heels, even if the first steps might be clumsy. It takes practice. Think of a small child: even its first steps are timid, but gradually it learns to walk. Try to move smoothly and naturally so that you feel comfortable and confident with every step.

Don't bend over and keep your back straight. Physical activity gives your body balance and stability, so don't be afraid to subscribe to a health club. There's also a tried-and-true method you can do at home: you can put a book on your head and walk around it. This is a good way to maintain your poise and boost your confidence.

Women's legs with heels attract men's attention more. So do not neglect the depilation to keep it smooth and beautiful. Better not to experiment at home, trust a professional and go to one Beauty salon in Kazan If you visit a beauty salon in Kazan, you will be personally advised on how to use quality products depending on your skin type.

How to wear high heels without harming your health

To help Carrie Bradshaw fans who don't want to part with the shoe model, there are a number of special tips.

• Insoles . Full contact orthotics help to properly distribute the load on the foot, activate the necessary muscles and optimize the biomechanics of movement, reducing the risk of deformities and pathologies. Since no two feet are the same, a universal orthosis from the pharmacy is a deception. And even if an orthopedic seal of approval appears on the packaging, don't believe it – it's a marketing ploy. Real insoles are only made by a doctor and are individually tailored to the characteristics of the foot.

• Gymnastics. Strengthen your foot muscles with simple barefoot exercises. Lift e.g. B. Pick a napkin off the floor with each foot and grab it with your toes 20 times. Pull your toe in and out, making several circular motions with your feet. Raise yourself onto your tiptoes, then slowly lower yourself back to the floor. It also makes sense to walk on your toes. Finally, rub your fist over your feet.

• A practice. Provide yourself with a simple device, e.g. B. a balance cushion or a fitness scooter with a raised surface. On the pillow, all you have to do is stand on one leg for balance or do slow squats. This not only trains the vestibular apparatus and balance, but also strengthens your muscles and ligaments. And thanks to the roller you get a good self-massage of your lower leg and calf muscles. The result is improved blood and lymph flow and a feeling of 'lightness'.

• foot baths. After a day on tiptoe, don't neglect a relaxing foot soak. Sea salt can relieve fatigue and a lime decoction promotes blood circulation.

What happens when you forget your heels forever?

We learned how damaging heels are for women. But shoes without heels are not a panacea either. And a completely flat sole in ballet shoes is also not welcomed by podiatrists and orthopedists (foot specialists). Wearing such shoes puts a lot of stress on the heel, which in turn causes a cascade of musculoskeletal problems. A stable heel of 2 to 4 centimeters is ideal.

Records from Roman historians suggest that even Gaius Julius Caesar experimented with the 'ideal' height when he was 'working' on his infantrymen's uniforms. 2.5 cm is the heel height with which the Roman army marched most effectively.

From a podiatrist's point of view, the ideal pair includes a form-fitting but not stiff back and a good fit on the foot (not sagging, but not tight either).

And one more important point: it is undesirable to choose shoes with a narrow nose. When worn for a long time, they provoke the appearance of deformities, in particular the already mentioned 'thickening'. Another problem caused by tight footwear is ingrown toenails and 'hammer' twisted toes.

Being a victim of fashion today…. It's not fashionable! Remember the joke, 'The only way to die of pleasure is to lose your heels at night' and consider if it's worth it. Especially since there are so many fashionable shoes in the shops and markets without being crowded.

• Walking in heels.
• Causes of tiptoe walking in babies.
• Optimal heel height for women.
• Tiptoe walking.
• step on the heel.
• Tiptoe as an adult.
• Toe movement in children.
• The heel of the shoe is worn.