Share Link has been copied to the clipboard. Here is the link maxhealthcare.
in/blogs/can-heels-cause-problems-your-posture Close It’s the end of the week, your friends and you have made plans to dance the night away which means you get to wear your latest buy, 4-inch heels which you got on a great sale.
Key symptoms and patterns
You know by the end of the night; your feet are going to ache so you know you’ll be sore tomorrow. But that’s the price of fashion so you think it’s worth it? Do you realise that you’re doing damage to your body far beyond your feet and a quick soak in warm water isn’t going to be enough to repair it?
Our body’s alignment, when standing straight in flat shoes, is at its optimal position. The spine is almost straight, your calves relaxed and your body weight distributed evenly through your body & feet- Our center-of-pressure (COP) where most weight is distributed, lies somewhere in the middle of the foot.
The body is at a right angle to the floor (90 degrees). Now assuming our body is a rigid pillar, the addition of high heels would make us slant forward. The higher the heel more is the slant and thus more acute of an angle (<90 degrees).
Common causes and risk factors
But since our body is not a rigid pillar but an anatomical miracle made of joints, tendons and muscles, it automatically changes its stance to counterweigh the changes. How can wearing high heels affect our body? Upper body: High heels shift the center of gravity upwards.
High heels can make your body elevated, which causes the body to make joint adjustments.
In reaction to this shift in the center of gravity, our upper body makes certain re-adjustments such as arching the back, pushing the chest outwards and thrusting of the pelvis & posterior Lower body: Our legs look longer and have a more defined muscle tone while wearing high heels.
The angle of our stance while wearing heels, as discussed prior, is acute
The angle of our stance while wearing heels, as discussed prior, is acute. To accommodate the slant, our Achilles tendon shortens which results in flexing our calf muscles that gives the long, muscular appearance.
The COP shifts from the middle of the foot to the ball of the foot, with 70 – 80 % of your body weight shifting forward. This results in the bones of your toes (metatarsals) and their surrounding tendons and ligaments weakening.
While the aches and pain that comes after wearing heels can be resolved by a hot bath and stretching, long-term effects of wearing high heels are much more serious.
Treatment and self-care
TIMELINE OF AILMENTS 1 year: Soreness of feet 3-5 years: Pain in the ball of your foot, changes to your toes (Hammertoes & bunions) Lifetime: Stiffness of Achilles tendon, lower back pain, neck pain, ankle & knee arthritis, weakness of muscles around hip & knee joints.
Spondylolisthesis: Is caused one vertebrae slide forward over the vertebrae below it. This can cause back pain, weakness or numbness in one or both legs. In rare cases, you may suffer from incontinence (involuntary urination or defecation).
It is most common in your lower back (lumbar) where most of the weight is concentrated. Foraminal stenosis: Is a spinal nerve condition in which anatomical changes (such as enlarged joints) reduce the foraminal space, thus pressing the nerves.
Consult Dr. Kumar Deepak in Lucknow
Persistent joint, bone, or muscle symptoms deserve a structured evaluation rather than repeated self-treatment alone.
Dr. Kumar Deepak — M.S. Ortho (Gold Medalist), F.I.J.R | ASAMI | AO Trauma — consults at The OrthoVision Clinic and Remedy Medicity, Lucknow. Call to book an appointment and discuss a plan suited to your activity level.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I see an orthopaedic specialist instead of waiting?
Seek review if pain lasts more than a few weeks, disturbs sleep, causes limping, or limits work and daily tasks despite rest and simple measures.
Does this information replace an in-person examination?
No. Online guides help you understand options, but diagnosis depends on clinical examination and investigations tailored to your case.
Where can I get orthopaedic care in Lucknow?
Dr. Kumar Deepak sees patients at The OrthoVision Clinic (Ahmamau, Sultanpur Road) and Remedy Medicity, Lucknow.
