Feet adjusting to high heels? Good thing or bad thing?

Question

My sister says that her feet are "adjusting" to high heels.

For 5 years (she's 22 now), she's worn ONLY high heeled sandals, 4" high. She wears these every day.

Now, even when she's barefoot at home, she walks on TIPTOE. Even when she's sitting, her feet are bent in a high-heel position.

She says that it now hurts for her to walk normally or even stand with her feet flat on the floor for too long. If she does that, her arches and calves will start cramping.

The strange thing is that she's HAPPY about this o_O She says that it means that her feet are becoming shaped to wear high-heeled shoes, which she loves.

But isn't this unnatural?
Or is it really a good thing (for her)?

Maybe because her feet are becoming "high-heeled feet", it's less painful for her to wear 4" stiletto sandals everyday?

Answer 1

That's correct, she has high heeled feet. You can either carry out foot training for flat shoes or high heels, it's very hard to master both, unless you are a ballerina. Some people will struggle with high heels and others will struggle with flats, neither is incorrect we just all start life with flats. After some time of wearing heels your calf muscles will shorten to accommodate the new angle, this is known as 'shortening' making it harder to walk flat foot, the reverse happens for a most of us low heel wearers. Jx

Answer 2

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Answer 3

Tip-toe walking actually has little to do with shoes, the causes are quite numerous and complex from developmental problems to non footwear muscle problems to force of habit. Some women do it simply because it's considered a more feminine way to walk. Maybe she's been walking like this all along and you have only recently noticed. She can, however; develop painful shin splints from constant high heel wear. Shin splints are when there are painful cramps in the shin area, it can fell like the bones are cramping. What' happening is the muscle shape has changed and she's getting tiny micro tears where the muscle actually detaches from the shin bones. I love high heels, and the polished look they give to so many outfits, but I try not to wear them all the time. Heels heights should be varied from day to day to prevent the muscle problems. There is also a simple leg exercise that can be done for five minutes after taking off the heels at the end of the day. Sit on a chair with your legs extended. Place a towel around the ball o the foot and take the ends of the towel and pull the foot backward, so the toes are pointing up toward you. Hold for a few seconds and relax the foot. Repeat twice, then switch feet. Do several reps on both sides, this should keep the front muscles of the leg strong, long and supple.

Answer 4

Every podiatrist will tel you that it is a bad thing, but I do not entirely agree. If your sister insists in wearing high heels (which I think is very admirable) then it is good that her feet are adjusting to the situation. It is indeed a change of the preferred length of the calf muscle-tendon complex to operate in the extended ankle position rather than the natural ankle position. I do not think that i necessarily a damaging or disabling condition. It is the way the body adapts to functioning well under the given condition.

What she has to look out for is bunions and hammer toes. They are serious deformities and can truly disable her.

Answer 5

I decided to reply just because I wanted to say, "Cool avatar!" but then I read the rest of the question, so I thought I'd reply to that, too.

My identical twin learned to walk on her tip toes. She said it hurt to walk normally and walked on her toes a lot until college. Sure, she could run like a deer in heels, but it wasn't a thing she was proud of. She was sometimes embarassed since people thought she was prissy because she walked on her toes even when she wasn't wearing heels.

I assumed it was genetic, except I'm her identical twin...so why don't I walk that way? And howcome when our (male) cousin was a toddler, he sometimes walked on his toes? I overheard someone say it was a shortened tendon, but I wanna know--what caused it?

Oops. All I've given you is questions. As for *your* sis, it sweet that you're concerned about her. I doubt this high-heel thing is gonna hurt her that badly, but it can't be good for her. I mean, does she wanna wear high heels all her life? You need boots if you wanna hike and stuff.

And what are her feet gonna be like when she ages? My sis eventually learned to walk flat-footed (most of the time). Hopefully, your sis will kick the habit too (no pun intended). And if she ever has serious problems, send her to a podiatrist.

P.S.-->Shigure is my favorite. ^_^

Answer 6

I think its a good thing! Your feet need to get used to wearing heels if you plan on wearing them during your life.

Answer 7

i think it is ok
i been wearing 4 inch heels for awhile and it kinda hurts to wear flats
that is ok with me i love high heels

Answer 8

wow! thats horrible!! its not good at all, what it really means it that her achellis tendon (the muscle in the back of your foot that connects ur leg to your foot) is shrinking!!this means that there is a very high chance of it breaking or ripping. that causes a lot of pain and can impair the way u walk, forever.

Answer 9

its very unnatural. she shouldnt be happy about this. it could cause athritis or some serious damage. she should see a doctor about it. you should be able to wear heels comfortaby but you should also be able to wear sneakers as well.

Answer 10

Probably not a good thing, especially if say she needs to run?