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The painful truth about the damage high heels do to your body

30 October 2018

For some, high heeled shoes are objects of beauty; for others they’re confidence boosters — but for many they’re the cause of pain and injury.

What damage does wearing high heels do to our bodies?

Dr Heather Morgan reveals the everyday injuries and long-term damage.

Wearing heels can have a long-lasting effect on the body by changing posture from hip to toe. Dr Heather Morgan explained on Personal Best:-

“Some studies have identified curvature of the spine, particularly among younger wearers whose bones haven’t fully developed. But also longer term wearers will have a change in posture.”

What is the safest heel height?

For those who can’t bear to give up their extra inches, which heel does the least amount of damage?

“Most risk is associated with wearing heels of the highest height, particularly those with thin, spindly heels,” said Dr Morgan.

“But any shoe that is elevating the heel above the toes by a couple of inches is still bringing about some pain, causing bunions and injuries among some women.

“Really, there’s no safe heel height.”

Forced to wear heels: where do we stand?

High heels鈥� potential for damage

Worn on a daily basis, high heels can be responsible for:-

  • Cuts and blisters from tight fitting and uneven pressure
  • Severe pain affecting feet, ankles, knees and hips
  • Bunions, a bony deformity of the joint of the big toe
  • Injuries, with increased risk of tripping and going over on your ankle

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