Comments on: Shoe envy can cause a pain in the foot

By: WalkFit

WalkFit — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 05:07:32 +0000

I've only been reading since the last few posts, but I am enjoying your views more and more. I'll be back for more and will be sure to subscribe!

By: Marilyn

Marilyn — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 05:05:02 +0000

I have been plagued by plantar faciitis for 9 months. Have done all the mandatory things suggested for a cure. However, when I wear good footwear with othodics I can get on fine for about three hours. The I am limping.
But alas, I can wear heeled boots, heeled shoes and high heels when I go dancing and I am pain free with no residual affect!!!!!

Where can I but high heeled sports shoes?

By: JJC

JJC — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 20:22:34 +0000

I am one of those early 20 something females who refuse to give up fashion for comfort. I have already noticed pain in my arches, ankles and sometimes tops of my feet, but I refuse to listen to my body! I know I will regret this in 20 years... but some shoes are just too cute! I do wear flats and lower heeled shoes also, so I'm not totally torturing my feet...

By: Jennifer Griola

Jennifer Griola — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 19:05:03 +0000

After losing almost 100 pounds I am a sucker for a cute pair of shoes, but always in moderation! I would rather purchase a more expensive, but better made shoe any day of the week. I think the key is, when I'm not "out and about" I wear sensible shoes–professionally fitted athletic/running shoes, MBT's (from the Walking Company). If my feet are sore I opt for a cute pair of ballet flats, and I always buy a 'good' pair of flip flops with arch support, etc. I recently discussed the importance of finding the right athletic shoes on my site: http://www.lost100.com Check it out!

By: C. Anne

C. Anne — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 14:04:48 +0000

Melissa:
I appreciate that you made the cultural distinction with the custom of Chinese foot binding practices. Similar traditions are held with some desert nomad cultures where the eldest wife traditionally wore shoes that had elaborate decorations on the soles of the feet, meaning they had so much status within the family that they were exempt from the working required of lesser wives, and could remain seated with their feet propped up all day. But the overall pattern in patriarchal cultures remains the same: impairing women's ability to move comfortably as a subtle means of keeping them submissive.

By: Charmy

Charmy — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 19:39:03 +0000

Yes, I do wear high heels – 4" stilettos quite often. I am now 30 and still have no feet problems. However, I do not walk to work in them, and I take them off while sitting at my desk. Most importantly I get regular pedicures and take good care of my feet. I think it is possible to wear high heels, but you can't be senseless. If I am going out for a long night (rarely if ever), I take flats to wear in the car, or cute shoes with a lower heel for dancing. Why not have your cake and eat it too?

By: Melissa, Los Angeles

Melissa, Los Angeles — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 18:01:29 +0000

@ C. Anne the Chinese bound the feet of women as a sign of wealth – not to keep them from running away or objectify them. My Great Aunt by marriage had her feet bound as a child because she was from a wealthy family which meant she did not have to work and she truly didn't. My mother felt bad for her when Japan invaded China pre-WW2 and she could not run and had to be carried when their village was attacked. Ah the price women pay in the name of status and fashion....

By: AthenaNike

AthenaNike — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 15:14:18 +0000

YES! Proof that shoes DO NOT have to have supper high & narrow heels. I hate shopping for shoes because the heel always turns my opinon of the shoe from "cute" to "AGH!" I'm 5' 10", and will wear a wedge or stacked (wide) heel up to about 2', and even then I switch between sneakers and the heels when walking outside the office. I feel like I'm one of the few "sensible" ones in my age group (late 20s).

I wonder if the study also takes into consideration what carrying extra wieght while wearing those "Sex and the City" style shoes. I know that's part of the reason I feel unstable in high heels.

By: Kari

Kari — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 11:16:48 +0000

No, I most certainly do not envy her. Not everyone who has foot issues has them because of the shoes they wear. I have tailor's bunions and was scolded by a podiatrist for wearing high-heeled shoes. I wasn't wearing them in his office and he should not have jumped to such conclusions. At 5'9" I have never felt it was necessary to wear them and I prefer to wear comfortable, well-fitting shoes and always have. The x-rays revealed that the cause of my tailor's bunions is structural, I have fused joints in my toes– something that I certainly didn't cause by any action I have taken. Oh, and that podiatrist actually apologized to me for jumping to the wrong conclusion too.

By: DSL

DSL — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 05:34:50 +0000

I just turned 40 and have arthritis in my toes. I wear high heels about once a week, to church. I walk from the house to the car, the car to the church & walk very little around the church – so I'm hoping that I can still wear my 2 to 6 inch heels for quite a few more years! The rest of the week, I wear sensible shoes & I exercise in very supportive good shoes, so I'm hoping this will help!!????