Slipping into your FOFavorite pair of high heels may make you feel sexier, but at what cost? Dr. Jacqueline Sutera, DPM, answered our questions about the long and short term effects of wearing high heels. The good news? You can still wear heels after fifty. (But, read this first!)
Enter to win a pair of Gentle Souls (one of Dr. Sutera’s recommended high heel brands) by answering this question in the comments below: which pair of Gentle Souls would you most like to win?
Is it true that your feet get worse as you age?
I would agree with that. First, there is general wear and tear on your feet. Furthermore, as you age, especially if you’re a woman who wears high heels, the fat pads on the bottom of your feet start to wear away and get thinner. It’s a cruel joke, because it’s one of the only places in the body where you get thinner as you get older.
What are the short term and long term effects of wearing high heels on a regular basis?
Hammer toes, bunions, pinched nerves, stress fractures, and ingrown toenails can all be caused and made worse by wearing high heels, because high heels shift body weight forward to the ball of the foot. The shortening of tendons is also a big problem. It mostly affects the Achilles’ tendon in the back of the heel.
Bone spurs can be caused by the rubbing and friction of high heels as you walk. Spurs are extra calcifications that can be very painful because they cause inflammation and irritation to the surrounding soft tissue structures like muscle, tendons and ligaments.
Tendons can shorten, tear, thicken, or become inflamed. They are very vulnerable to injury and inflammation. When wearing high heels, they are forced to function in a way they were not intended to because of the body weight distribution, pressures and height.
Aside from problems with your feet, can wearing high heels do damage to other parts of your body?
Your knees, your hips, your back are all affected by wearing high heels. When your weight gets shifted to the ball of your foot, your knees and hips shift forward, and your back has to hyperextend backwards in order to compensate.
Is there any safe way to wear high heels?
There are some high heels that are safer. The American Podiatric Medical Association recommends a heel that is two inches or less. If the shoe has a platform in the front of the sole of the shoe, then you can go a little bit higher. I recommend wedge heels. They’re in style and give you a bigger area to transfer your weight. They’re also sturdier. Gentle Souls offers many styles that are super comfortable with layers of memory foam and flax seed pillows.
Can you offer any tips for wearing high heels?
Alternate your shoes. If you wear three-inch heels today, tomorrow you should wear flats. Then, the next day wear wedges. It’s better to switch it up so the tendons don’t get too used to one specific heel height, and it gives your foot a little break. I’m very big on ‘commuter shoes.’ Wear flats with an arch support to and from work, and then, once you get to work, switch out of it. Also, limit high heel use for when you really need it, like at a party or an event, not for every day.
Can you recommend any products or inserts to help make wearing high heels more comfortable and less damaging?
Theres a really cool company called Insolia that makes pad inserts which actually redistribute your body weight back towards the heel when you wear them. Then there are just good old-fashioned Dr. Scholls–they have a whole gel line for high heels. Anything to help cushion and protect from blisters helps.
What are your thoughts on the recent trend of women implanting facial fillers like rejuvederm in their feet to make wearing high heels more comfortable?
I’m not against it, I’m just waiting until we get more data. It’s in off label use right now. There are no studies on the long term effects of it, so I am not doing this right now. I know doctors who are, and they’re having success.
Is there anything you can do to reverse high-heel damage that has already been done?
Electric stimulation and ultrasound are physical therapies that really help tendons and ligaments when they are injured or inflamed. They work to reduce swelling, pain that is caused by the inflammation and injury. Strengthening tendons is also very important after high-heel induced injuries. There are exercises your podiatrist can prescribe that are easy to do at home and are really helpful. A lot of people end up getting foot surgery, which is an option if you have bunions, hammer toes, or bone spurs, because those don’t go away.
What kind of at home treatment can you recommend for your feet after a day of wearing high heels?
Stretching, icing, and heat. When you get home from wearing a high heel for the day, massage your foot with a golf ball to get the circulation back. Icing your feet is important in order to bring down the inflammation. Reversing some of the bad effects of high heels is really important so that it doesn’t end up causing other problems. You can start with a small problem on your foot and have it end up causing back pain because you’re walking funny.
Enter to win a pair of Dr. Sutera’s recommended heels or wedges by answering this question in the comments below: which pair of Gentle Souls would you most like to win?
One FOF will win. (See all our past winners, here.) (See official rules, here.) Contest closes October 25th, 2012 at midnight E.S.T. Contest limited to residents of the continental U.S.
0 Responses to “{Health} You can wear heels after fifty. (But, read this first.) Plus, win a pair!”
Lynne says:
I would love a nice wedge heeled shoe.
sunshine1225 says:
Especially over a certain age, when the joints and muscles are more fragile, it is important to wear heels that fit well if you ever wear them.
I have been buying from the brand True Gault, which makes shoes based on my feet’s measurements using their app. They are much better fitted and very comfortable! Reasonably priced, too.
http://www.truegault.com for those who want to check it out.
Mary Jo says:
I would really like to try the cork soled sandals – I almost never wear heels anymore and fell pretty comfy (but also frumpy!)
Hermilie smith says:
This is such great news that now we are able to wear high heels at the age of fifty means totally awesome and women loves to wear heels so that they will look stylish and gorgeous too. Thanks for sharing this type of interesting news.
Sandra Warren says:
I would love to win the tan sling backs. They look so comfy.
Deed says:
Topcast are top notch in my book! Stylish AND comfy? Great combination!
debzella says:
I am 56 years old. I love heels, especially sling backs. I think they are the sexiest shoes around. I will wear a heel when I dress up. Experience tells me, only 3″… no more. But 3″ of heel, I think is the best. I can have all the calf definition and I can still walk. You can’t be sexy if you can’t walk in your 6″ spikes. I have noticed recently that after a night of heels, I may have a night of leg cramps later on. So… I’m old. The price I pay. Yoga does take care of that leg cramp problem if I do it regularly. Dr. Christiane Northrup recommends foot exercises to keep our feet strong and supple. I think she is right. But, on the off chance that foot exercises don’t work, then little orthotic foot pads slipped into a pair of heels does wonders for comfort. Bottom line? I will wear heels until my feet tell me to stop. 🙂
madeha arfan says:
i love gentle soft soul shoes and i want to get this flat pumps
binaifer says:
I like the flat gentle souls they look so comfy from morning to night …you don’t need to change them!
Mikki Ibarra says:
Oh Sure
Charlene Kuser says:
I would like to win the Ridge-Amaru in charcoal.They are so cute
shirley zolenski says:
I like the ridgual wedge boot
Sand says:
I would choose the Rem Emberme.
Auri Lae says:
I would love the Rupert Jane shoes 🙂
heather c says:
No limit? Mona Beam boots.
Otherwise, Soleful moccasins.
Awesome!
Veronica Garrett says:
I wouldlike to win the Buckled Up Boot.
AEKZ2 says:
I’d like to win some Iso Mule shoes
Teresa Carey says:
The Oh When boot in black is fabulous!
Breanne says:
Bayside
Auntie Suzy says:
I Love Dawn and Dirty & Up at Dawn
Kayla M says:
I really like the Ridgual in Grey Kidsuede.
Diane Baum says:
Love the pumps
bamr07 says:
I would love to win the cute, Gigi Ballet flats
susan smoaks says:
i would love the gigi flats
clynsg says:
The Sure Bet Oxford would be my first choice, but since they don’t currently come in my size, wouldn’t be possible.
Chrissy Nestor says:
I’d choose the Sole Lace
chrissylea1979 (at)gmail(dot) com
Lyndsey R. says:
My favorite is the Offering Shoes.
lyndsey.rullman at hotmail dot com
Pauline M says:
The remody shoes in graphite would be awesome!
Ciara B. says:
either barnesicle in black or break my heart in black
love them!
Susan Smith says:
Iso Block in Light Taupe
Sherry Conrad says:
Bayside in black is my fave pair.
Jenny says:
I love the Warm thought boots
Crystal F says:
I like the Podential boots. thank you!!
Mary Kime says:
Barne Voyage
jen gersch says:
Go Mingle
Melanie Montgomery says:
I love the bay lily.
Diane Baum says:
Love bayside
jamie wheeler says:
The flats are adorable! Hope I win!
Karen Gonyea says:
Adore the Bayside 🙂
Kylie C says:
I love the Mona Beam boots!
Sheryl Edwards says:
the Sun Dae is my fave! So cute & comfy for the warm Texas temps!
Patty says:
Love the Mona Beam Boots and the Ridgual Booties. They’d be a great addition to my Fall attire. The Okey Dokey’s are cute too especially since that is my favorite personal expression. 🙂
cathylwood says:
The Spano cork platform looks versatile, stylish and comfy — and is perfect for our 10-month open-toe season here in the South.
Victoria says:
Of the three shown, I like the tan slingback the best, but there are a bunch on the website I would love to own. Sounds like a great solution for my suffering feet.
Toni Marie Caravello Feimer says:
I like Oh When in Black
reannenny@aol.com
McKim says:
I like Iso Block.
ellen schull says:
I would love to win the silver flats they would go with evertything.
Jodi says:
I love Gabby in pewter.
Marianna says:
Warm Me Up in Cigaro
pat michko says:
Ridge-Amaru would be my favorite pair!
kathy pease says:
id love the
O’ffering
in black suede style #GS00679SU
kathypease(at)gmail(dot)com
Ruth says:
I am a school teacher and am on my feet all day. I would love to try these shoes.
Erica C. says:
I like the Bay Crest flats.
Melinda Lee says:
I love the suede wedges!!! I like everything about them ~
Catherine Hertzberg says:
How to pick just one? I’d love to win the Top Cast shoe/bootie, it’s so unique. My next faves are Opportunity in black, then Rem Emberme in brown.
ferriz says:
i would love the Rem Side!!!
Sydney Mathis says:
I would love the Rem Emberme in slate – size 5.5. What nice shoes!
Laura S says:
I like the Mona Light boots.
Debra Hall says:
i like the Barnesicle in black
Roz Rickman says:
Love the Gentle Souls neutral pump with the wooden heel. The sling back would give support and the shoe really looks like a “WoW”. I’m a senior and these shoes would look great on me (plus comfortabiliy).
Gaye M says:
I’d most like to win a pair of Remody, #GS00653KS, in Graphite. They look great and they’d go with everything.
l says:
The Mona Light boot from the site. So perfect!
mimi says:
I would like the tan colored ones because I would be able to wear them the most. I like them all, though.
Karla says:
I didn’t see where the names of the shoes were or the extended selection, but the tan pumps with the cut outs are cute.
lynda says:
Love the Oh Shucks boots – very cool and sexy all at once.
Nancy Gordon says:
I would love to have the red suede pair. Love the color and that tie in front/
Debra Simning-Chapman says:
I really love the “Your Essex”. There are many styles that are wonderful though.
Sue W says:
I have shied away from heels since hitting 50 (that’s 6 years ago!). I just can’t seem to endure the pain anymore. Would love to try these and see if they are all they are cracked up to be. I simply won’t go out and buy any heels without knowing they will be comfortable. The pink wedge is just adorable!
mandrada says:
I love the “Good Change” style, sure makes one look classy and with good taste. I wish I own them, I would wear them forever!
Maureen G says:
I like the Your Essex I am really in to Comfort!
Moonchime says:
Oh, I would totally love a pair of Top Cast in size 7 1/2 please!!!! They remind me of a pair of El Naturalista shoes that I have had my eye on for quite some time–only I believe Gentle Souls would be far better for my feet.
Heather Garcia says:
Sole Lace
intenseot says:
I would LOVE any of the Rem Emberme in any of the 3 colors they come in.
Even though I don’t have a wedge shoe and I have been told I should try a pair, that style really talks to me.
I have only been able to wear heels from the car to the restaurant and back to the car, but these heels sound really comfortable!!
Michele Oliver says:
I love the Osaka Rama shoe!
MIchelle Settle says:
Ridge-Amaru is lovely and would work so well with much of my wardrobe-I love Gentle Souls shoes-I only own one pair right now and could use another in this color. They fit like a glove!
LF says:
Would like to win the Rupert Fine in black.
NoreenB says:
an absolute tie between the Oh Shucks boots and the Ridge Amaru in black!
chrisskins says:
I LOVE the pink suede wedges. Wildly appropriate during October Breast Cancer Awareness and just so cute any other time of the year!
Susan says:
Love the Rem Sides!
Lynn says:
Opportunity (great looking shoes), because life is full of them, one just has to get out there, especially us FOF’ers. the other ailment from wearing poorly designed high heels are Morton’s Neuromas, these are not fun, and can be very painful, compare it to running or walking on a marble. I have had two surgeries (left & right foot), still need a third, but waiting until I can’t stand the pain. Thanks for sharing this great info.
deana c says:
I would love to win the Oh When boots!
Stephanie V says:
O’ When i nblack – oh sexy mama!
Wendy says:
I absolutely love the Barnesicle booties!
Tari Lawson says:
I think I would pick the Iso Kix.
Ashley C says:
I like the Bay Braid in antique pewter
demureprincess7(at)gmail(dot)com
dario says:
I would pick the Gabby ballets
Paige chandler says:
I like the Bay Unique…wowowow
elven johnson says:
Would Indeed
Karen C says:
I love the Tip Tone booties!
janet lindsey says:
I love bayside
Robbie says:
I love the Dawnest and Top Cast for everyday and Rem Side and Oh When for special occasions! Tres chic!
juliette m says:
i love the Mona Light boots
Michele Cox says:
I love them all, but I think the pink suede wedges are gorgeous!
Cynthia C says:
I like the Juniper Barry in sand.
Steve Stone says:
love Bayside for the wife thanks
Kristi C says:
I like the Iso Block in Light Taupe.
Vickie Riddle says:
Belody in black is my choice.
Melanie B says:
I like the glibber in black
Robin Wolfgram says:
Love the Remody Graphite! Gentle Souls are the best heels!
Laura Jacobson says:
Oh I really love the Mona Light boots! So beautiful!!!
Danielle D says:
Ridgual Boots in Black!
diana shenderovich says:
i love Rem Emberme slate color
Barbara Hulme says:
a Pair of black Mona Beams would be great, really love them
S Kay DeGroot says:
Love the Lucky Bet flats in black. They are so cute!
Chrystal D says:
I like the Spano sandals!
Adrienne gordon says:
I like the Pine Heart
Margie Kairis says:
I would most like to win the Remody heels… I also really like the Bayside flats 🙂
Marilyn Wons says:
“Break My Heart” in blue is the Gentle Soles I would like to win!
Rajee Pandi says:
love Good Change
Phoenix says:
I love the silver shoes above, as well as many of the boots on their site.
Aggie Pearo says:
I would love the pink wedges above but I need a 9 wide. Do they come in that size?
Charlie says:
I love Sun Dae in Antique Gold!
Karine says:
I love Weges of any kind, and comfortable pumps with a sturdy heel …
Pamela Behrend says:
I love the Dolling pair in the color pictured!
Ellen says:
The pink wedges.
Jeanne Chinn says:
Love Rem Side. Gentle Souls is now my fav and go to shoe source for comfortable and stylish shoes.
TJMoore says:
Love to try these shoes, they are so darling!
Barb says:
Of the three shoes shown above, I would go for the fun & funky fushia wedges.
Chris says:
Love the June Flowers sandals!
JulieD says:
I would be honered to own/wear a pair of your Oh When boots this season, thank you for the chance good luck to all!!
Susan Angrisani says:
Oh my….hard to choose since there are several but my first choice is Two for Dawn in black.
Sachi Webb says:
I would LOVE a pair of the boots, maybe the “Oh When” ones because it is starting to get cold here.
Sarah says:
I would most want to win a pair of Ridgual Booties in grey! Love them!
Denise M says:
i like the Mona Light boots
kat says:
Gabe in the Woods are beautiful. I understand a wedge is the best if you are overweight.
Karen says:
At 59 I am not ready to give up my 3 inch heels. But after reading this I just might. I would love to give those cute pink wedges a try.
mamayo says:
would LOVE to have a pair of heels that are comfy. have just about given up wearing heels in favor of flats but sometimes the heels are what looks the best. love Rem Slide, so versatile, or Gabe in the Woods!!
yyoerger says:
On the website, I like the Rupert Janes. Of the three above, I LOVE the pink wedgies, but would pick the tan slingbacks because I can always use a classic look for work.
Toni says:
I’ve never seen this brand before. I like Gabe’s Bow, All In,
Pod Pie, and June Flowers. Maybe I was supposed to pick one pair but it was too hard!
Onehsancare says:
Love the tan sling backs!
Becky Beer says:
I have a pair of Gentle Souls. I like the pink pair, but if I have to choose ,I’d pick the Ridge Anaru. I rarely wear anything but a casual shoe; sooo my one “dressy pair” are my Gentle Souls. True!
wizardewu says:
I love the Buckled Up boots.
Flybabymom says:
I like the Opportunity in nude, or the Rupert Fine in black. It would be wonderful to find a pair of shoes that actually feels great!
hofken says:
I like the Remody shoes
Cynthia.Richardson@azbar.org
KatieQ says:
The tan, sling back, pumps are gorgeous.They would work in any woman’s wardrobe.
arlenes says:
Pretty in pink. This shoe put the wedge in a class by itself. What a great feminine statement from the bottom up!
Beth Lowe says:
I really like the Gigi flat. It is very unique and I know I would get lots of complements.
Kris Packard says:
I really like the Opportunity shoes. They are stylish and yet look so comfortable.
Brenda Witherspoon-Bedard says:
Would love to win Barn Knee
colleen says:
Bayside is my hearts desire.
But a lot of the flats are great
gshep says:
I like Rem Emberme and the beige sling back.
elizabeth says:
I have flat, wide, size 9 feet. It’s hard to find a comfy high heel. I would love to try the wedges.
Ruthie B says:
I don’t wear heels much anymore but the wedges look sooo comfortable!
Susan says:
Love the Dawnest wedge. It looks deliciously comfortable!
Sandra Warren says:
I like the tan slingbacks.
Barbara says:
l’d love the silver flats. Those are cute & comfortable
Jill says:
I Love these pink suede wedges with the bows, also Ridge Amaru, haven’t wore high heels in years would love to try these.
beth says:
I wanna put on my pink suede shoes!!
Jackyj says:
I would love to win the pink suede wedgies.
Angela Mogin says:
The wedge shoe looks stylish and comfortable.
Delores Kenyon says:
The wedge
lindawwww says:
I love Offering – a lovely classic pump
Rita Harris says:
I love Wedges, these ones are really cute!
Wendy says:
Really like the pumps. I had not heard of this brand of shoes. Guess I have been in a cave for awhile!
javierl22 says:
I love the Dolling, Go Mingle and Euna styles…
mary ann says:
I like the tan sling back pump pictured above. I would love to own these.
smfsprout says:
I would love a pair of the Oh When or Pod Appeal boots. They look stylish and should be super comfortable to wear.
veder dixon says:
ridge amaru
carrie obrien says:
Double Bet or Buckled Up
Ianete says:
The “Remedy” pumps are sooo cute!
mrsbecky says:
Pod Appeal
Tina says:
I’d love the tan sling backs. Dressy, but not too…..
MoonRae says:
I really like the Tan Slingbacks above, and I’m thinking I’ll order the Break my Heart gladiators for next summer.
Thanks for this opportunity!
Chris Williamson says:
as long as you’re asking… Sun Dae and Soleful. lovely website.
StChienne says:
I took a look at the whole Gentle Souls collection on the website; Okey Dokey knocked me out. What a perfect shoe for Fall skirts and pants!
Mary G says:
I like the Gabes Bow wedge! Great looking.
belindabg says:
Warm Thoughts Boot in Black for Winter
Gigi in Leopard for Fall
Either would be great!
Christina Daniels says:
The Tip Tone (great name!) in black…they’d be considered “low” for me. At 5’2″, I’ve spent a lifetime compensating!!! Guess it’s time to give stilleto’s the “boot”!
Barbara M. says:
Barnesicles are very cute! I don’t own any boots nor booties anymore because of my feet. I can’t afford really good shoes and the cheap heels definitely hurt!
Terri B'Hymer says:
The burgundy wedge “Dawnest” is really cute! Great way to add the hot fall color to date night jeans. I’m definitely going to have to check out the Gentle Souls line at the store!
Lynn says:
Love the booties and wedge heels! Thanks!
eddyrobey says:
The ready for change boots look nice and comfy to me.
Carole Maiello says:
I love the Dolling shoe!!!! So cute!
Catherine Myers says:
The tan ones
Ruth says:
ISO Block is just what I’ve been looking for – a great look for sore feet.
jaylene says:
Would love to try out the wedges
Tanya says:
I love the Ridgual wedge booties! Great w/jeans and dress pants!
Tammy Allen says:
I like the Remody, the Okey Dokey, the Mona Beam, the Osaka Rama, the All in and the Down for Rupert, to name a few. I generally like a show that can be worn with a dress, skirt or pants and one that can be dressed up or down. The ones I named above defintely fit that bill. Love to try a pair!
Patti says:
I think the Ridge-Amaru in charcoal has my name on it 🙂
Nikki Gwin says:
Rem Emberme in Brown
charlene says:
Love the tan sling backs…
Mary says:
I would LOVE to win the Ridgual boots on their website, I will be checking out all their shoes and boots so I’m glad to know about this website. 🙂
Margarida says:
I do like the above brown shoes with the lace effect cut outs!
Mamavalveeta03 says:
The tan slingbacks have my eye. Love the sexy sleekness of them, but they’d be great with my jeans!
Beth Norton says:
8 to 10 hours on my feet per day…I NEED one pair of safe comfy high heal shoes! Eh, don’t we all!
Christine says:
love Bayside
Susan Lockwood says:
I really like the tan-colored pump. WOW!
And I have a pair of Gentle Souls which I love dearly.
Zipporah Sandler says:
Love the Bom B-Eye pumps and have been drooling over them in-store for a while now.