Wearing heels has a serious impact on your ability to think properly and your ability to breathe properly.
There have been a number of studies identifying health risks associated with wearing heels long-term. While wearing heels initially strengthens the ankle muscles, long-term the same muscles are weakened, leading to injury, reported researchers at the University of North Carolina in the U.S. last year.
High heels cause inflammation in the body
Studies have suggested high heels can lead to problems including hammer toes (where the toes become permanently bent), muscle fatigue and osteoarthritis (‘wear and tear’ of the joints). There may also be a link between high heels and cancer, according to a leading cancer specialist, David Agus, a professor of medicine at the University of Southern California.
He argues that wearing uncomfortable shoes every day doesn’t just cause unnecessary pain — and damage joints — it actively triggers low-level inflammation as the body struggles with being forced into an unnatural posture and gait.
Inflammation is part of the body’s natural healing process. Whether it’s puffiness around a splinter or swelling around a joint, the process is triggered when the body encounters harmful stimuli such as bacteria, injury or irritants.
However, scientists now believe if low levels of inflammation are allowed to become chronic the process can become highly destructive.
Certain kinds of inflammation have been linked to our most troubling degenerative diseases, including heart disease, Alzheimer’s, autoimmune diseases, diabetes, and can dramatically increase cancer risk,’ says Professor Agus.
He says that although cancer may be caused by damaged or faulty genes encoded within our DNA, anything that damages DNA or hinders its natural repair process can increase the risk of cancer. Professor Agus believes that if your body has to deal with ongoing, chronic inflammation it can shut down its DNA repair process to concentrate on the inflammation instead. ‘When the body’s DNA repair shop is closed, it leaves us vulnerable to cancer and other diseases,’ he says.
Wearing heels all day, every day, can create inflammation in the crushed toes, the balls of the feet and rubbed heels.
The impact can travel right up the leg to trigger joint degeneration and arthritis in the knee. High heels can also affect the ankles, hips and even the muscles of the lower back.
Any heel over 3in high will inevitably tilt the body forwards, which means you have to lean back to compensate, putting your pelvis out of alignment and compressing the spine.
A lower heel may cause less damage (wedges give the impression of height while keeping the food relatively flat) but the problem of inflammation is easily compounded if, say, the toes are squashed into tiny points at the front.
Problems only occur when something happens to weaken our defence mechanism, and high heels — he says — are an unnecessary hindrance to optimal health.
So although high heels might not actually cause cancer, by wearing them all the time you could be unwittingly hindering your own natural cancer-fighting abilities.
There is no direct evidence linking high heels to cancer. However, wearing high heels can lead to a range of health issues, and some of these might indirectly affect your overall health, potentially influencing cancer risk through factors like inflammation and posture-related problems. Here are some key points:
1. Foot and Joint Problems
- Strain and Injury: High heels can cause strain on the feet, ankles, knees, and lower back, leading to chronic pain and injuries.
- Joint Issues: Continuous wear can contribute to conditions like osteoarthritis due to the unnatural pressure on the joints.
2. Posture and Spinal Health
- Poor Posture: Wearing high heels frequently can alter your posture and the alignment of your spine, which may cause back pain and spinal problems.
- Spinal Issues: Poor posture can lead to long-term spinal issues, which can indirectly affect overall health and well-being.
3. Circulatory Problems
- Blood Flow: High heels can restrict blood flow in the lower legs, leading to conditions such as varicose veins.
- Inflammation: Restricted blood flow and poor posture can cause inflammation, which is linked to various health issues.
4. Impact on Overall Health
- Physical Activity: High heels can discourage regular physical activity due to discomfort, leading to a sedentary lifestyle, which is a known risk factor for various chronic diseases, including some cancers.
- Weight Gain: Reduced physical activity can contribute to weight gain, which is linked to increased cancer risk.
Indirect Links to Cancer
While high heels themselves do not cause cancer, the health problems they can contribute to, such as chronic inflammation, poor posture, and reduced physical activity, are factors that can potentially influence cancer risk. Chronic inflammation, in particular, has been linked to the development of various cancers.
Recommendations
- Limit High Heel Use: Try to wear high heels only on special occasions and opt for lower, more comfortable heels or flats for daily wear.
- Foot Care: Engage in regular foot and ankle exercises to strengthen muscles and maintain flexibility.
- Posture Awareness: Practice good posture and consider ergonomic adjustments to reduce strain on your body.
- Regular Check-ups: Maintain regular health check-ups to monitor any potential health issues early on.
