A common complaint from women is that their feet hurt after wearing high heels all day. However, many women feel obligated to wear these shoes for the sake of fashion. The human foot was not designed to wear high heels, and this is the main reason wearing them causes so much pain. Looking at the other perspective, high heels were not designed for comfort and pain-free walking either. The main purpose of our feet is to give us balance and the ability to walk and run. However, wearing high-heeled shoes can put excessive wear and tear on our feet, which can not only cause improper foot function, but also cause severe pain.

Women experience pain when they wear high heels because their feet slide forward into the shoes, this forces the body to redistribute its weight in an unnatural way, which changes the optimal alignment of the body. This is the point at which using high heel shoe inserts can really be beneficial. Orthotics help by supporting the foot and keeping it from sliding down.

Wearing high heels can cause many different foot problems. Some of the most common conditions include metatarsal pain, bunions, callous and corns, Achilles Tendonitis, hammertoe, among others.

Ball of foot pain (metatarsalgia), a common effect of wearing high heels for prolonged periods of time, takes place when one or more of the metatarsal heads become inflamed due to too much pressure. This condition causes acute pain below the toes, known as the metatarsal area. To help alleviate the pain caused by high heels, you can try wearing high heel shoe inserts.
Common symptoms of metatarsalgia ( ball of foot pain) are usually a tingling and/or burning feeling around the balls of your feet. Many people also complain of extensive callusing in the same region.

Advice to Decrease Foot Pain When Wearing High-Heeled Shoes

• Have comfortable shoes available to you at all times.
• Keep to a consistent heel height. Wearing shoes of many different heights can produce irritation of the Achilles tendon.
• Wear orthotics to correct foot mechanics and walk more comfortably.
• Get regular foot massages to alleviate muscle soreness and improve circulation of blood.
• Hold back from purchasing pointed and extremely high heeled shoes}.
• Buying shoes in the afternoon or at night allows a better fit.
• Buy shoes that are wide enough to comfortably fit your toes.
• Find shoes with thicker heels for better support.
• Remember that leather shoes are better than synthetic materials.
• Make sure to stretch before walking or strenuous exercise.
• Only wear your high heels during special occasions.
• Ensure that your feet and toenails are clean always.
• Seek medical attention if you feel constant pain in any part of your feet.

We should always remember that keeping our feet in optimal health is much more important than keeping up with fashion.

Tags: foot pain, metatarsal pain, orthodics