We have a love-hate relationship with our shoes. We love the height they give us and what they do for our legs, but we hate that love can also hurt. Here to help us ease the pain is Stephanie Estima Galanis, chiropractor and acupuncturist...
I love my stilettos! At the start of the day, they look and feel great but by the end of the day my feet are killing me. What can I do to balance my love of shoes with the health of my feet?
This is a very common question in my office! We all want to be able to wear our favourite heels, but we also want to ensure our feet are being looked after. Here are a few very practical tips for not giving up your shoe habit and keeping your feet (and therefore your skeleton) happy!
Dr. Stephanie’s Stiletto Rules:
1. The higher the heel, the higher the front platform should be.
Take the YSL 'Tribute Pump' or the Christian Louboutin 'Rolando', for example. These shoes have an elevated front platform, which essentially reduces the relative toe-to-heel elevation. What this means is that every time you take a step, your arches won’t collapse as much (the clinical term for this is pronation), because the relative angle of the foot is reduced. Less pronation means happier feet.
2. Opt for a less severe point.
Rounded toes are the preferred shoe here, but if you have to have a point, opt for a rounder point. The pointier the shoe, the less room the toes have to wiggle around and move, which is essential for walking and balance.
3. Buy a half-size to a size up from your regular size.
If you are planning to be on your feet for a prolonged period of time (e.g. dancing, or even at the office), your feet will love you more if you give them some breathing room. There is a tendency for feet to swell when we are on them for prolonged periods, and that bit of extra wiggle room from the larger shoe size will reduce the pressure the shoe will exert on the swollen foot.
4. Wear medical-gradient compression stockings.
These are not the saggy ‘support’ hosiery you see little old ladies in. These are sleek knee-highed or thigh-high stockings that help your veins and lymphatic system draw excess fluid up from your lower limbs.
They are totally comfortable and look exactly like regular nylons. Bonus: They also prevent varicose veins from forming, reduce leg fatigue, reduce foot and ankle swelling and make your legs look amazing. A must for the pregnant woman.
5. Get custom orthotics designed for heels.
We should be wearing orthotics in most (if not all) of our shoes. They reduce the impact of walking while simultaneously correcting our walking patterns. You can get custom orthotics designed to fit the stiletto of your choice (your chiropractor can measure and size the orthotic so that it's slimmer and doesn’t create as much bulk inside the shoe). This way you can wear your shoes and know you are getting the support that your feet need.
So there you have it. Some simple, super easy tips to implement while simultaneously loving your stilettos and your feet.
Dr. Stephanie Estima Galanis has a background in neuroscience and psychology, and understands what untreated physical injury can do to the body. She specializes in whole body wellness, including chiropractic, cosmetic and traditional acupuncture, orthotic therapy and fitness. For more information email doctorstephanie.dc@gmail.com or call 647.346.2281.
Thought that was sweet? You'll Enjoy: