Wearing ladies high heels can really elevate any outfit, but the increase in height can also come with an increase in unwanted side effects such as foot pain, especially if you are a frequent wearer of high heels. Many are happy to sacrifice their comfort for the sake of being able to wear their high heels, but that doesn’t mean you have to suffer.
If you wear heels frequently, you’re at greater risk of suffering with some of the problems that come with wearing high heels, but there are some steps that can make a huge difference that you can take to avoid foot pain.
Why It Is Important To Stop Your Feet Hurting In High Heels?
While you may feel like the most important reason to stop your feet hurting in high heels is so that you can wear them for longer without discomfort, there are also some real health issues that can be caused for people who wear shoes that aren't right for their feet, whether that is with a thin or thicker heel. Taking measures to prevent this will prevent long term damage and issues that you might not have suffered from otherwise.
To Avoid Discomfort
Of course the main thing is to avoid discomfort for yourself, as nobody wants to be out at an event and unable to enjoy it because your feet hurt. Once the pain sets in it can be hard to alleviate, so avoiding the pain from starting in the first place will be a great benefit for both you and your sore feet.
From work events that require long periods of time on your feet, or a night out where you might want to get up dancing, avoiding the discomfort that high heels can cause will keep you standing longer.
To Help Prevent Foot Damage
In addition to general discomfort to the wearer, high heels can cause actual damage to your feet if steps aren’t taken to prevent it. There are some overall risks such as increased chances of tripping or falling over due to less stability, which could result in ankle sprains or injuries, but there are other problems that could arise over a period of time of repetitive heel wearing.
Wearing heels can cause some muscles in your legs and feet to lengthen or shorten, which can result in pain further up your legs such as in your knees, hips and even your lower back as your posture changes to accommodate the height and shift in weight.
Some issues like bunions or corns can be exacerbated by wearing heels, despite not being the initial cause of the problem, and so can cause pain in the ball joint of your foot which gets worse the longer and more frequently you wear heels.
Wearing heels changes the shape of your feet, often by restricting them into a smaller space, which in turn means the weight your feet are carrying is condensed and concentrated onto more localised points. This can cause the excruciating pain associated with wearing high heels.
How To Stop Your Feet Hurting In Heels
While these suggestions may not stop your feet from hurting in heels entirely, they can help with the pain both in terms of reducing the severity, and prolonging your wear before the pain sets in. If you are used to flats or if you have flat feet, you may not be used to the feel of a high heel and therefore need to take extra precautions to get used to them.
Wear High Heels That Are The Right Size
Wearing the correct shoe size is vital for making sure your feet are as comfortable as possible in heels, even if this means going up a half size or even a full size. High heels alters the position of your foot and can cause it to slip further forward, so you don’t want your feet becoming more cramped. The right shoe size will ensure your feet are comfortable and reduce the risk of rubbing, blisters, or issues associated with high heels.
Practice To Walk And Break Them In
If you purchase a new pair of heels, there are things you can do before you wear them out for the first time to break them in which will make them more comfortable. Practice walking in them at home, and wear a pair of socks to stretch them out. The longer you wear heels the more your feet will swell, so wearing socks will loosen them making them more comfortable.
The higher the heel the more your natural walk will change when wearing them, so by wearing them at home and getting used to them, your feet and legs will adapt more easily and reduce the chance of injury when you wear them out.
Wear An In-Sole Cushion
In sole cushions are designed to provide extra padding and protection for your feet, and when wearing heels this is particularly beneficial due to the extra weight that will be concentrated on certain areas of your feet. Giving them more cushioning will help prevent any pain. Similarly if the arch of your feet becomes strained this can also cause problems, and in sole cushions can be designed to support your foot arch too.
Take Short Breaks
If you are wearing high heels for a prolonged period of time, try to take short breaks to give your feet, knees and lower back a rest. Stretching your feet out and taking the weight off your feet will make them feel better, and less likely to cause ongoing problems.
Interested In Buying Heels?
If you are interested in buying a pair of comfortable heels, take a look at the Lunar high heel range on site. The collection includes sophisticated heels in different styles and toe shapes, as well as a range of colours and materials. Lunar has the perfect pair of high heels and other ladies shoes for any occasion.