Do High Heels Really Cause Feet Problems?

United States
May 25, 2009 2:52pm CST
My girlfriend only wears high heels, no other shoes(unless she's gong to the gym. She even wore heels when we went on a hike in the woods one time (I know crazy) any ways what I really wanted to know is if high heels cause foot problems. I don't want her to to hobble around when she's an old lady so help me out folks!
7 responses
@Pigglies (9329)
• United States
10 Jun 09
They can cause more than foot problems. They can also cause hip problems. And problems with your tendons. Wearing high heels all the time causes the Achilles tendon to slacken and so if she finally went hiking wearing some decent shoes, it would probably give her tendinitis way worse than how I've got it. I got it from being used to high sneakers, and then going to running shoes that were much lower to the ground.
1 person likes this
@glassy1 (63)
25 May 09
I only weaerar high heels and have done since I was 15. I wore them through both my pregnancies, I have never suffered with either back or foot problems - I am fact now 44. In fact through the constant waering I have great toned leg and bottom muscles. Wearing flats shoes actually hurts my calfs, probably dur to my very high instep. Like everything in life is depends on a number of things - in short the person in question, as we are all different shapes and sizes we all have different needs.
@Pigglies (9329)
• United States
10 Jun 09
Wearing flats would hurt your calves because your muscles are toned in the wrong places now for flat shoes. I recently got some extremely flat shoes and realized that it's going to take some working up to to be able to wear those. And I'm not a high heel type of person, personally I can barely walk in those. But I think people with large feet have more problems with heels.
@freak369 (5113)
• United States
10 Jun 09
Well, this is sort of a different take on it. I lost my left leg and wear a prosthetic. It is set to accommodate at 3/8th inch heel which is standard for most athletic shoes. When I want to wear something else I have to get the prosthetic adjusted which is a pain because you have to make an appointment, have the CP adjust it then you have to try it out. Then you have to get it adjusted again when you want to change to another shoe. It's just easier and better for your feet to stick with the 3/8th inch standard so your muscles and gait are the same. Some people can wear heels with no problems, I used to be able to but can't any more. Now I have to worry about my right foot a lot more than I used to. With heels, the biggest problem is your toes and the constant pressure that is put on them.
@coffeebreak (17798)
• United States
1 Jun 09
I started when I turned 19 to wear high heel shoes and was NEVER out of them....didn't own a pair of sneakers. And no pair of jeans are stylish unless they are accompanied by a cute pair of high heels!!! I walked Disneyland in heels MANY a times! They are often, depending on the style, the most comfortable shoes ever worn! Now at 52 I still wear them and have absolutely no foot or back problems. I feel frumpy if I don't wear them! And flip flops are the most disgusting shoe ever "invented". But those high heels...no woman is complete without them!!!! The pink ones on the Icon of this category are absolutely darling.. only would be perfect if they had a closed toe. And Platform shoes in the 70's and 80's....I thought I'd gone to heaven!!! I am SO glad they have come back! My all time favorite tho... a high heeled pump with an over-the-ankle strap...the most perfect shoe ever made and I have them in almost all colors possible!!!!
• Philippines
9 Jul 09
wearing high heels all the time can strain the feet,legs,and knees.it can cause callouses and bunions at the feet.putting your weight on your knees can cause pain.wearing heels higher than 2 inches can shorten the legs.podiatrists recommend to wear heels and flats alternately.if you want to look sexy but hate wearing flats,try wedges.they can give you the feel of wearing heels,but without the straining.
@angelsmummy (1696)
25 May 09
Yes they can cause bunions and research dating back about ten years found that excessivly wearing high heels can lead to arthritus in the toes. I think you should buy her a nice pair of flats and find the research, give the flats to her with the research, she will realise you are just being really caring and considerate and hopefully will apprieciate it. =D
@Barbietre (1438)
• United States
25 May 09
I used to have bunions, but they were not caused by high heels, it is alot of other things in combination.
@rrdj71 (696)
• United States
25 May 09
Actually they cause more back problems than they do foot problems. Especially if someone starts wearing them at a young age. I started at 16 and 16 years later I am regreting it BIG TIME!! I have two daughters and my last one I had an epidural. Why I don't know, but the point is I added more fire to the fuel. Now I just wear heels once a week to church. That's it. I learned the hard way it's no fun waking up with back pain every morning. Heels mess up your spine and unless you can afford a good chiropractor, I don't suggest wearing them on a daily basis. :)