Few relationships in a woman’s life are as love-hate as the one she has with her high heels. We love them be- cause they look great and make legs appear longer and leaner, helping petite women appear taller and tall women statuesque. The hate, how- ever, comes when the pain be- gins.


High heels are the No. 1 culprit of foot pain for women, ac- cording to anAmerican Podiat- ric Medical Association survey. Nearly half of all women wear heels, and 71 percent of heel- wearers say those shoes hurt their feet, the APMA reports.


“With many types of heels, like very high stilettos, foot pain is hard to avoid,” says Dr. Mat- thew G. Garoufalis, a podiatrist and immediate past president of the APMA. “But it is possible for women to find a happy mid- point between great looks and great pain.”


The APMA offers some basic guidelines for choosing better-for-you heels:


* Nearly half of heel-owners admit to wearing heels 3 inches or higher. That height, however, shifts body weight forward and puts great pressure on the ball of the foot and the toes. Avoid heels higher than 2 inches.


* A high stiletto with a pointy, closed toe is the worst type of shoe for your feet. In- stead, choose heels with a generous toe box area and extra cushioning at the front of the shoe. A slight heel or wedge encourages your arch to lift.


* Consider wearing supportive shoes during your commute and changing into high heels after you arrive at the office. This will help minimize the time your feet spend in heels.


20 Kalon Women Magazine Oct/Dec 2014


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