The Agony of Uncomfortable Shoes
There are few things as excruciatingly painful as uncomfortable shoes. With each step, more skin scrapes off the back of your heel as blood pools on the balls of your feet. This unbearable torment has left many good women sitting sadly on the edge of the dance floor, unable to enjoy their evening. Or even worse: get rid of your annoying shoes completely and make your dirty way home barefoot. Ouch.
The Festive Season and High Heels
As the festive season continues, this feeling may become more common than usual. Between office holiday parties, black-tie dinners, and New Year’s Eve merriment, reaching for a pair of subtle kitten heels or elevated stilettos might now be the order of the day once or even twice a week—and your toes are tired. In fact, a survey conducted by the American Podiatric Medical Association found that 71 percent of women who wear high heels reported that their shoes hurt their feet.
Breaking in Your Stilettos
But it doesn’t have to be that way. As the fashion world has gradually phased sneakers out of their closets in recent months in favor of dressier footwear, including loafers and heels, more and more videos have emerged on social media of women breaking in their stilettos at home before wearing them on a night out. This can be as simple as wearing your high heels around the house while cleaning, which can help to stretch the material and mold it to the shape of your foot.
Strengthening Exercises for Your Feet
Harley Street’s Steven Thomas, a foot and ankle specialist, says there are plenty of strengthening exercises you can do to warm up your feet before wearing heels on a night out. These include getting up and down on your toes, scrunching your toes and picking up a towel from the floor, as well as hopping on one foot and switching feet – all in three sets of 10 per day. “If necessary, do smaller repetitions at first and then increase them gradually,” he recommends.
The Importance of Heel Shape and Size
Thomas adds that the narrower the heel, the more challenging it becomes to wear. As your height increases, pressure on the forefoot increases, making it more difficult to prevent the ankle from rolling. “Balance is even more challenged by a narrower heel,” adds the foot and ankle specialist. Heels typically have narrow toe caps that squeeze the toes together, so it’s essential to choose shoes that conform to the shape of your foot.
Heel Dance Classes
Heel dance classes have grown in popularity since the mid-2000s, and many studios now offer classes that teach high-heeled choreography. These classes can help to strengthen your feet and ankles, making it easier to wear high heels for extended periods. Dancers who take these classes often wear shoes that are designed for the dance floor, which can provide additional support and stability.
Tips for Wearing High Heels
To minimize the risk of injury when wearing high heels, it’s essential to follow some basic principles. Start by wearing them indoors for short periods, and gradually increase the time as your feet become more comfortable. You can also use products like Compeed blister plasters or zinc oxide tapes to prevent chafing and blistering. However, adding padding can increase the volume of the shoe and reduce the space available for your feet.
Conclusion
As nice as heels are, they are not something you should wear every day – even with experience. “As a podiatrist, I don’t recommend high heels as everyday shoes,” says Thomas. "But the reality is that partying is more about style than comfort. Just follow the basic principles so you can minimize the risk of injury. My final tip? Enjoy it!" With practice and patience, you can learn to wear high heels comfortably and confidently, and make the most of the festive season.
