Walking in heels makes you feel confident and powerful, so it’s understandable to resist the podiatrist when they tell you to limit how often you wear them. However, heels can cause damage that radiates throughout your body, and learning about how they affect you will help you understand why the doctor is asking you to cut back on them. Here are a few critical effects of wearing heels regularly.

Why You Should Stop Wearing Heels Daily

1. Injuries

Heels are not a stable shoe choice. The chances of getting a sprained ankle or torn muscle ligament due to falls or rolling the ankle are high. Plus, since they put all of the pressure on a small portion of the foot, you’re at an increased risk for stress fractures that a podiatrist or orthopedic doctor will need to treat. To minimize the risk, practice walking in new heels on a flat, obstacle-free surface before going out in them. When you do wear them, avoid places where falls and sprains are likely, such as on gravel or sand.

2. Arthritis

Heels affect how your legs and feet bear your weight, and this puts unnecessary pressure on the joints. When you wear heels with any frequency, it begins to wear down the cartilage in the joints, causing arthritis in your knees, ankles, and feet. Try to only wear heels on special occasions, and when you do wear them, give your feet and legs frequent breaks by sitting whenever possible.

3. Vulnerability to Injuries Even When Not in Heels

Frequently wearing high heels can exacerbate issues the podiatrist is already treating, such as plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendon injuries; it can also cause new ones, like a swollen or sprained ankle, ligament problems throughout the legs, and chronic pain in the knees, hips, and back. Beyond this, your body begins to adapt to heels when you wear them often enough, causing shortened muscles in your legs, repositioning of the pelvis, and warping in the spine. Over time, the symptoms of wearing heels can include gastrointestinal difficulties, migraines, back and neck pain, and chronic inflammation of the leg muscles.

If your heels are causing you pain or injury, the podiatrist at St. Peters Foot & Ankle: Samual T. Wood-DPM will help. Serving St. Peters and Florissant, MO, their comprehensive services will manage or resolve many issues heels can cause, including sprained or rolled ankles, bunions, swollen and sore feet, and Achilles injuries. With 20 years of experience and advanced treatments, they’ll care for your feet and ankles like their own. Call (636) 720-0190 in St. Peters or (314) 921-1020 in Florissant to schedule an exam with a podiatrist, and visit their website to learn more about their services.