Often you will hear people say they can't wear high heels because of their feet. Most of the horror stories relating to the damage by high heels is related to the foot.
Wearing heels safely just isn't about the feet. It's about the whole body condition. The better toned and postured the body, the better chance there will be no injury. If the foot can be placed correctly on the ground, the gait is even and the heel first rolling into the ball and springing off the toes - then there is also less chance of injury when doing that in a heel.
A successful heel wearer is a person who has a strong flexible body with a straight posture. They have control over their body and it shows.
It's pretty easy to self evaluate.
The harder thing is to correct the issues you have to make things safer for you while wearing your heels.
Lower back problems are an issue and this is due to excess weight, poor posture and a weak abdominal girdle.
Knee pain is caused by a number of factors that include excess weight - causing undue pressure on all joints; overall weak musculature; incorrect placement of the foot and a lack of full extension of the knee before the heel is placed on the ground.
Toe stepping - stepping with more weight to the toe than the heel and stomping - placing whole foot on ground at same time making it impossible to straighten knees) cause jarring and damage to ligament and the precious bones of the feet and the joints of the knees and hips.
Due to poor posture and compensating for new centre of gravity the lower back, shoulder and neck areas come into play also.
A headache or bad neck can be a direct result of the body trying to hold itself in an unnatural position caused by poor foot placement. Starts at the foot, referred pain in the neck, and head.
Some simple facts:
- Many people cannot walk properly in bare feet and don't understand the importance of proper foot to ground contact through the walking cycle.
- Many people have poor posture and don't understand the plethora of issues that arise from this.
- Too many people carry too much weight - it's a fact.
- Most people are interested in quick fixes - as indicated by the "pill" mentality and "diet" & "quick fix exercise machine" industries etc.
On the "excess weight" issue:
"...The great pressure transmitted through such a heel (allegedly greater than that exerted by an elephantstanding on one foot[4]) can cause damage to carpets and floors. ..."
Pasted from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stiletto_heel
But. I believe wholeheartedly that flexibility is more important and that can be gained by any "body" ... and I hope to show you how. Yes. I have to concur with what is known about carrying excess weight and damage to joints and such, however as I state, flexibility is important, as is your posture. Weight has nothing to do with this - I've known some incredibly flexible folk who carry too much weight.
I'm not here to destroy your body image, I am here to help you use your ballet heels safely.
What I hope to show you over the next few months are a few simple points to consider and a way to help you enjoy your ballet heels as often and as safely as you can.
What I hope to show you over the next few months are a few simple points to consider and a way to help you enjoy your ballet heels as often and as safely as you can.
I will also tell you about my system of foot care because it is truthful that my feet suffer none of the issues that are common from wearing high heels, but there are little things I do to ensure my body is conditioned and therefore less likely to suffer any long term damage. I will share some of these things with you.
LESSON ONE: (Will be posted 21 October 2009)
- The concept of the heels - technical.
- Sizing.
- Your physicality check.
- Socks, stockings and padding.
- Foot care for ballet heel wearers.
I will provide images and videos to accompany the text.
There are four Lessons; Lesson Two will be announced at the end of Lesson One.
♥
Imelda
Please leave your comments and thoughts. I'm interested to know what you think. Thanks.
