Why Heels Hurt

I’ll always remember the greatest story one of my teachers told in massage school. He had a female client who came in complaining of lower back and hip pain.  He asked her to take her shoes off (heels) and walk across the room to check her gait. Her calf muscles had shortened to the point that even barefoot, she still walked like she was in heels. I decided at that point, that even though I love heels, I had to take steps to prevent the same thing from happening to me!

A Great Infographic from Live Science explaining why heels hurt.

Source:LiveScience

Stretches to help when wearing heels

​Achilles Tendon Stretch  - 3 times a day
Lean into a wall with one foot about a foot and a half in front of the other, gently stretching the calf and tendon in the back foot; hold for 90 seconds, then switch sides.

"Alphabet exercise" - 1-2 times a day
Strengthens ankles and improves range of motion
Use your big toe to trace each letter of the alphabet in cursive in the air, moving only the foot and ankle.

Tips for Buying Heels that won't hurt!

• Don’t buy cheap shoes instead buy well-crafted "investment" shoes. Well-made shoes offer far more support, stability, padding and overall comfort than poorly made shoes.
• Don’t wear shoes that are too big or too small.
  If the shoe doesn't fit, it can't support your foot correctly, and you'll have to expend more effort to keep it on.
• Don't wear shoes you can't walk in or are not comfortable.
  Test the shoes out and make sure they're comfortable.
• Ask the department store for help. I've found everyone to be extremely nice and helpful. I've even had them stretch my heels for free before leaving the store!
• Don't wear shoes that overflex your arch, making you feel, in effect, like you're walking in pointe shoes in ballet class.