Longer, sleeker legs and a tighter butt are the results of rocking killer heels (excuse the pun).
Grooming with Heather R
The right pair of heels will take your outfit from drab to fabulous. No pain, no gain, they say.
However, the permanent damage that comes with wearing our magnificent shoes makes one consider whether it’s all worth it. Unfortunately, flat or high, the predicament is the same. All is not lost though, knowledge is power.
Bunions These are caused by wearing high heels that are too tight. A bony lump develops on the side due to the big toe leaning towards the second toe. The only recourse for a bunion is an operation which may take six to 12 weeks to heal. As you can tell in the picture, these are just ugly but more than that, they are painful, hence the need for surgery. Nowadays I shy away from my really narrow shoes. I am pro-pretty and happy feet.
Back problems High heels have been linked to back problems. I am sure many women concur because after wearing high heels for a while the lower back starts to ache. It starts as just pain, a few years down the line it becomes sheer discomfort and may result in altered posture.
Corns A pair of shoes that is too tight means there will be friction between your toes and your shoe. The bruising is what is known as corns. You can also develop bruising at the back of your foot. Before you trade in your heels for flats, just know that it will not necessarily avert the problem. The pumps are said to have insufficient support because they do not have an adequate heel. Flip-flops strain the foot causing tendonitis and joint pain because of the clenching of the feet to keep the flip flops on.
The remedies
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
Compromise Opt for heels that are less than 5,1cm high. If you must go higher, go for a platform because it balances the front of the foot and the heel at the back. It also means that your foot is not at an unnatural angle.
Rubber-soled heels and wedges The rubber absorbs the shock, so wear these types of shoes when you are doing a lot of walking. Plus the heel provides better support than flat shoes.
After standing for a long time in heels Stand facing the wall and place the ball of one foot against the wall, keeping your heel on the ground to stretch the ball of your foot. Hold the stretch for 30 seconds and then swap feet.
For specific lower-back pain, stand with both feet flat on the floor and squat keeping your bottom tucked under until you are sitting on your calves. Swing your hips from side to side then stand up. Repeat 10 times. Having done these exercises myself, I can guarantee that they are quite useful. However, I am not very consistent in doing them.
Massage You can never go wrong with a good old foot massage, take each foot into your hand and massage. You can soak your feet in a foot spa with some Epsom salts for half an hour. Rotate your foot clockwise and anti-clockwise, 10 times. Moisturise your feet well and wear a pair of thick socks to bed to prevent cracks from developing on your heels.
After walking for miles in ballet pumps Stretch your shins, kneel and sit on your heels so your feet are tucked under your bottom. Clasp your hands behind your back and straighten your arms so that your shoulders roll backwards to counteract your rounded upper back.
