High Heels are the Main Culprit for Chronic Foot Pain

Aug. 21, 2015 - PRLog -- High heels are designed to point the toe down. This position is what gives the leg the attractive slender look. However, this position also causes excessive pressure on the ball of the foot. Furthermore, the toes must pull up to meet the ground. This moves the padding out from under the ball of the foot and adds to the pressure placed on the metatarsal bones. The pain created at the ball of the foot is called metatarsalgia.

The higher the heel the worse the metatarsalgia. In fact, the strain in the bones over time could be so great that they break. This is called a stress fracture.

- Some tips on avoiding metatarsalgia and stress fracture:

- Consider a lower heel height – the higher the heel, the more pressure on the ball of the foot

- Consider a wider toe box – the more pointed the toe of the shoe, the more crowded the toes will become, and as a result the more pressure on the ball of the foot

- Consider using high heels for only a limited amount of time – the more time in high heels, the more pressure on the bones of the feet and the more likely a stress fracture is to occur

Heel spurs are abnormal growths of bone on the bottom of the heel bone that may be caused by an abnormal gait, posture or walking, inappropriate shoes, or certain activities, like running. Spurs may cause foot pain while walking or standing. Although one in 10 people has heel spurs, only one in 20 of these people will have foot pain. Heel spurs can occur in people with plantar fasciitis, but they do not cause plantar fasciitis. People with flat feet or high arches are more likely to have foot pain from heel spurs.

Treatment for heel spurs include:

- Cutout heel pad

- Custom-made insert (orthotic) worn in the shoe

- Wearing shoes that fit well and have shock absorbing soles

- Over-the-counter pain relievers

- Rest

- Surgery (rarely)

- Physical therapy

PhysioMax Wellness in Burlington Ontario provides various tips and treatments for every client's needs. Healthcare providers from this clinic are very knowledgeable about the treatments needed by patients in order to help them recover from their injuries. This multidisciplinary clinic in Burlington Ontario provides Physiotherapy, Acupuncture, Chiropractic and Massage Therapy in order to tend to any kind of injuries and prevent issues from occurring in the first place. Please contact us or visit www.physiomaxwellness.ca for more detailed information.