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Back Pain or Manolo Blahnik Pain?

To the stylish, Vogue-reading woman, high heels are essential elements of any fashionable wardrobe. Manolo Blahnik. Gucci. Steve Madden. Prada. Christian Louboutin. They make the legs appear longer, the tush appear higher, and the calves appear sleeker. They are a symbol of sex appeal and feminine beauty. High heels are also the bane of many chiropractors and orthopedic surgeons. Slaves to fashion may find themselves equally enslaved by chronic back pain brought about by four-inch stilettos.

When a woman walks the average 10,000 steps a day in a pair of high heels she asks a great deal of her back and puts her health at risk. High heels cause the body's weight to be centered forward, in the toes, rather than distributed equally throughout the entire foot. This goes against gravity and nature and causes stress on the muscles and vertebrae of the spine. When said high-heeled woman removes her shoes, that "ahhhhh" of relief reflects her whole body's feeling towards being back on solid ground. Back pain has been relieved for now but will be back to haunt her in the middle of the night through muscle spasms, soreness, and stiffness.

High-Heeled Hell

High heels were invented originally as a way for men and women to appear taller and show status in high society. Though men also wore them for utilitarian purposes (to keep their feet in horse stirrups), women wore them to increase their overall beauty. This trend has continued for centuries. Though "lifts" have gone in an out of vogue for men, the high heel has been consistent in women's fashion since the 1500s. Currently, the high heel is associated more than ever with sex, youth, and high fashion. Playboy models, runway models, and celebrities are guilty of portraying the trend and increasing the high heel's allure among the masses.

Women have probably been suffering back pain due to their high heels since the 1500s. High heels can cause all of the following: calluses, bunions, curvature of the spine, chronic back pain, hip pain, knee osteoarthritis, slipped disks, and even hammertoe. Sexy, right? Research has shown that the chunky heel popular in the 1980s (think Mary Janes, spectator pumps, platform sandals and even wedge-heeled espadrilles) is no less harmful than the skinny-toed and skinny-heeled stiletto so popular today. All high heels cause increased pressure to be placed on the knees.

Podiatrists and orthopedists recommend a heel no higher than one half to three quarters of an inch. This height is actually better at reducing back pain than flat-heeled shoes. A small amount of lift is recommended to adequately support the foot, knees, and back. Per physicians, killer heels should come with a warning label: "Hazardous to your health!"

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