Natural Health Is Best
How To Protect Yourself And Family
It's Back, It's Back__ The Perils of Fashion Shoes!
Only now you have all manner of Designs and Structures
GEARED TO WRECK YOUR FEET - Guaranteed!
The Fashion Industry is at it again.....IN FULL SWING!!!
LET'S HAVE SOME GIRL CHAT
As if those Platform, Pump and Block Heels were't enough to WALK IN_ the
effort it would take; allowing for no flexibilty; the embarrassment of being heard everywhere you go and the Torture at the long awaited end of the day (if not long beforehand) just to GET OUT OF THEM and Relax!
NOW they further Torture us with the Perils our mums and nans experienced with Fashion Shoes. YES_ those Pointy Toes and Stillettos from their day.......I used to think they were "attractive" in the family photo Album....
"oh for shoes like those, they look great!" Now I know what it's like to say "oh my aching toes" and again, wait for the end of the day! It's the Fashion now.....what would the girls say if_____ and oh, they
were so "irresistible" when I bought them. That is the Plight of so many young women recently. Mind you, the Fashion Industry have even now combined Pointy Toes with High Platforms...and Stillettos
with a Platform base........HOW DO YOU WALK IN THOSE?
The answer is "almost impossible" but they do__ they manage somehow.
Why do we allow ourselves to be defined by what the Fashions say are in vogue and go with the trend despite aching feet, cramped toes, strain on our arches and calve muscles - not to mention backache for some - what do those things tell us?
It paints not a pretty picture: maybe pending Podietary treatment and bills at a later date or perhaps
even Surgery. All this to keep up with what's in fashion.
I hope to address some of the Health Issues from a Chiropractic and Podietary point of view
as soon as I can get the information. For now, here are some comments from women on
Fashion & Health blogs:
The following are replies to an article that compares the Wearing of Stilletos to Foot Binding in China.
Ah! My legs look so beautiful in heels, I love them; but unfortunately I cannot wear them for more than a few hours. Certainly I can’t walk in them all day, I like my feet too much, can’t bear to have them deformed with bunions. Like cigarettes – I have had to give heels up, most of the time, just save them for a really special occasion. Sonnet
I buy professional looking Mary Jane flats most of the time. I like the kind with flexible soles instead of thick platforms. It doesn’t look like I jogged to work, but the shoes are comfortable enough that I could have. Marziah
My stilettos look pretty good in my wardrobe and I’m not planning to take them out any time soon. I stopped wearing high heels some time ago after I realized that the pain is just not worth it! Small heels can look cute too so I won’t be trying any killer heels on again. Sabina Hi Liz, wonderful post. Wish every woman who walks in an unnatural gait due to her high heels could read it. My daughter once broke her foot from falling off her shoe, but she won’t give up her high heels. Kathy What a wonderful article and hopefully young girls will get the message and not “follow the footsteps” of the generations of women before them. Warmly, Dr. Deah Schwartz
I found these excerpts on a Fashionable Beauty Site Cautioning women about Stillettos.
So, what’s wrong about them?
The weight of the woman is distributed evenly upon the foot while wearing the flat shoe. But when we put our feet onto the heels, we make the toes feel overloaded. Look, 0.3-1 inch heel load the toe up to 22% comparing with the norm. What to say about the 2.3-2.7 inch heel? It’s really hard to imagine the tender toe bones and joints managing with this task.
Plantar callosity. It’s probably the most wide spread and the most inoffensive pay for the heels. Usually they are formed under the toes because of the workload in this area and disturbs blood circulation. As a result the skin dries off, thickens and coarsens. Fortunately, plantar callosity can disappear soon after you change high-heeled shoes in favor of flats or small heels and use some feet care procedures.
Achilles tendon deformation. It appears when a woman wears the stilettos non-stop. When the Achilles tendon is raised up, it does'nt feel the tension and becomes stiff, not elastic. It’s become very hard to wear flats with such deformations.
Osteoarthritis of the knees and pain in the small of the back directly related to the high footwear. Such kind of deformations could hardly be treated, that’s why it’s better to take the preventive measures. http://www.ourvanity.com/uncategorized/alluring-and-dangerous-heels
THOSE SHOES WITH THE POINTY TOES CAN'T BE UNDERESTIMATED
EITHER BECAUSE THEY FORCE THE FRONT OF YOUR FEET INTO AN
UNNATURAL SHAPE THEY WERE NEVER MADE TO BE IN - HAVE YOU
EVER MET SOMEONE WHO HAD GREAT DIFFICULTY WALKING....OR
WHO HAD CONSIDERABLE DIFFICULTY WITH THE PEIRCING ACHE OF
THOSE OUCHY BUNIONS? AND YOUR FEET DON'T HAVE TO BE THIS
BAD. REALLY, I'D RATHER NOT! AND I DID NOT EVEN WEAR THEM A
GREAT DEAL - YOU DON'T HAVE TO, TO BE AFFECTED OVER TIME.
Women Often Go For Shoes They Think
Are The Most Flattering And Attractive
Of course, there's also a flip side: Is there any accessory that can cause as much suffering as uncomfortable footwear? And hobbling around in misery.
Since women are affected by foot problems four times more than men, Dr. Suzanne Levine, celebrity podiatrist and author of "My Feet Are Killing Me " stresses the importance of taking care of our tootsies -- and not just for the sake of looking good. "Our feet are a foundation," she says, "and the way we dress them influences the way we feel." With an entire chapter devoted to shoe sense, Dr. Levine walks us through how different sole styles affect our health and why many of us are shopping all wrong.
Stilettos:
With an average height of three to five inches, stilettos can surely lengthen your legs and even make them appear thinner, but Levine warns that they shouldn't be worn for an extended period of time. "Since there's not a lot of structure, your weight can't rest on the heel, and that puts pressure on the ball of the foot," she explains. Not only do your feet start to hurt, but you've got a greater chance of falling. "Stilettos are limousine shoes," advises Levine, "walk into a party or wear them to dinner, but they're not the type of shoes that should be used long distance -- they're not the type to function." Her tip: Go for high-fashion shoes, but always bring a backup pair. Alternating heel heights will ensure you're not overusing any one muscle group.
Pumps:
Pumps may be a bit more practical and offer more support than stilettos thanks to a thicker and often shorter heel, but they're still not exactly an all-day shoe. In addition to having a change handy, Levine suggests above all else to be certain the shoe fits ... because no matter how pretty it is, sporting the wrong size can get nasty -- from hammer toes and bunions to ingrown toenails and blisters. "Shoes are supposed to match the anatomy of the foot," adds Levine, "the ball of the foot should rest on the widest part."
Platforms:
While your feet may feel flatter and more secure in platform shoes than in heels, the danger with these is that you're far from the ground and one false step could lead to an ankle sprain. To be safe, Levine points out that there should be a half-inch of space between your longest toe and shoe's edge, so do check for that when trying them on. "Stand up, make sure you can wiggle your toes and definitely walk around the store in them," she says, including that your best bet to determine your shoe size is to be measured by a professional.
Mules:
Mules can be open or closed toe, high heeled or flat -- but they are always backless. "They shouldn't be anyone's go-to shoe," notes Levine. From cramping to heel cracks, this style can be problematic because there's nothing in place to hold the heel bone in the proper position and you're forced to grip the shoe with your toes. When shopping, Levine says it's important to be honest with yourself: "The most gorgeous pair of shoes can easily make you forget your comment sense, so be careful."
Flip Flop Sandals:
Although a warm weather staple, Levine recommends you "save them for the beach and pool" instead of rocking shoes like flip-flops in the real world. Not only do they offer little arch support, but their open design leaves feet vulnerable to hazards from the street ... and nobody wants cuts and bruises, bacteria and fungus or dryness and callouses to cloud an otherwise sunny day!
Flats:
Believe it or not, "a shoe with no heel is not always the best heel," says Levine, "the ideal shoe is the lowest heel you can wear with comfort." From ballet flats to loafers, it can be tricky to find shoes that are supportive and chic, but overall, Levine advises that shoes with rubber soles in a breathable fabric are what your feet really want. Regardless of the style, remember this: You should never have to break in shoes -- if they don't fit right away, don't leave the store with them in tow.
According to a post on Healthline:
“When toes are held in one position too much, the muscles tighten and don't go back to normal length.”
They also state that irregular toe spacing can lead to fungus formation (so prevalent in our day).
Harvard Medical School takes these things very seriously!
They give several cautions about Fashion Shoes.
They say shoes can be absolutely wrong for our feet. Soaring heels, pointy toes ... to wearing high, uncomfortable shoes: toes from excess shoe pressure ingrown toenails.
Your mobility and independence begin with your feet. Finding footwear that fits can keep you moving.
What fashion magazines consider to be the "right" shoes can be absolutely wrong for our feet. Soaring heels, pointy toes, and support-less sandals are brutal on ankles and toes. Wearing them day after day can inflict permanent damage on our feet. And if our feet hurt, we're less mobile.
They even go so far as to say this:
The right shoes are the key to better health!
So much for Platform Shoes, Stilettos and really Pointy Toe Shoes - It's INSANITY and they're out to get you, with their enticing Advertising and Fashion Appeal. Give them NOTICE and stand up for your Health!
Who wants corns, calluses, bunions or fallen arches? the shoes available then are not fashionable! Think
I'd rather go for moderate elegance and comfort.......would'nt you? Yes, I love to buy nice shoes with a reasonable heel...... sling- backs with straps around the ankle and peepy-toes with a nice pair of nylons.
But I must go for the best looking "Comfort Shoes" I can buy these days - and I do find some nice ones - because MY feet are wrecked.
OH THE PRICE OF FASHION.....and it's never going to be US is it? I did not look after my feet when I was young - with pointy toes and stillettos. And I strained my ligaments (fasciitis) when I overdid it with 10 Hours spring-cleaning a few years back. Fortunately, I have 2 women who specialize with good quality Italian shoes built for comfort - with some elegance.
Say Goodbye To High Heels
And Excessive Flats
If you are a fan of high heels, you may be disappointed because wearing them is extremely bad for the back. Indeed, wearing high heels requires you to bend your back when walking, which is obviously not good for the spine. On the other hand, completely flat shoes, such as sandals or ballet flats, can also have adverse effects on the back, because the weight of the body is found unevenly distributed.
They can also result in flat feet and they can be painful when walking out and about
or a working day on your feet. It is good to do a little walking bare feet - especially on a lawn,
the beach or grass at a park - there are numerous health benefits, however, I have known individuals
who have a problem with flat-feet (that is when people lose the aches under their feet) after walking
with bare feet a lot, hey? Do be advised.
Carrying Heavy Handbags
By Shelley Walcott
That bag you carry everywhere, may be hazardous to your health. Blame the cargo craze! Back pain... Shoulder pain... Tweaked necks. Thousands of women hurt themselves lugging their handbags around. Hobos…totes…messenger styles…super-sized handbags are now all the rage. "I collect them," one woman told TMJ4's Shelley Walcott. "I love big bags," concurred Cynthia Weisberg. Not only are enormous pocketbooks the height of fashion, they also hold a lot of stuff. Vicki Warner showed hers off. "I typically carry my wallet, my phone, my Blackberry, my sunglasses, my makeup, a water bottle." But, while big bags may seem practical, they're heavy… some up to 20 pounds. That can actually be harmful to your health, said chiropractor Karen Erickson. "We used to see these kinds of injuries in kids that carried heavy backpacks, but now we're seeing these same kinds of injuries with women carrying heavy handbags." Chiropractors, medical doctors, even massage therapists are now tailoring treatments for women with "purse-ache." "We can work on some strengthening of the muscles and teach you how to stand in a more upright fashion," Dr. Jennifer Solomon, a sports injury specialist, told us.
Massage therapist Barbara Joel is also seeing more injuries caused by heavy bags. "We loosen up the muscles to unglue the muscles as much as possible so that circulation increases, the lymphatic activity increases." As if the pain weren't bad enough... heavy handbags can lead to long-term problems... even spinal damage, says Dr. Erickson. "Some of these handbags are incredibly heavy all by themselves, even when they're empty. Try to choose one that's light." Sling it across your body to distribute the weight more evenly, or at least switch sides. And lighten up your load. Clean it out every week. One good rule of thumb; don't haul around more than 10% of your body weight.