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High heels are a guilty pleasure for most women. They have been blamed for a range of health problems from bunions to back pain - whereas flat ballet pumps are much better for you, right?
Wrong. It may surprise you to hear that I regularly wear high heels (from my favourite pair of red stilettos to gladiator sandals and boots) and would recommend that if the heel height is correct, many women should discard their trainers and flats in favour of heels, for at least a few hours a day.
Flat is not always best, and a recent study in America found that running shoes can actually put a greater strain on your joints than sexy stilettos. Indeed, if you are a naturally high-heeled woman who keeps wearing flat shoes such as trainers or ballet shoes, you will be going against your natural foot type and will cause your feet no end of stress.
Every woman has her own perfect heel height, depending on the structure of her feet. If you take this into account when buying shoes, you can improve overall foot comfort considerably.
At my podiatric clinic I kept seeing patients who were experiencing painful feet and arch pain because they were wearing shoes with the wrong heel height for their feet.
I would look at their foot structure and explain the perfect heel height for them. This often transformed their foot problems, as they were then able to walk in more comfort.
The feet are marvels of architecture, with 28 bones each. At the point where the foot connects to the leg, there is one bone called the talus. Between this and the lower leg bone is a natural recess known as the sinus tarsi, which allows ankle flexibility. The size of the sinus tarsi varies from person to person and it is this that determines how much your ankle can move - and your ideal heel height.
Those with a lot of movement in the joint may suffer from fallen arches when they walk due to this foot architecture. Also known as flat feet, the problem can be remedied by wearing a high heel as these shoes force the foot into an arched position. Someone whose ankle joint is very stable is better off wearing flat shoes, as long as they are supportive.
She says that each female will have the correct heel to wear or something like that.
As a bloke I would want to know what is my perfect heel height there Emma. If she says you don´t have one because you are a male, then what makes a female foot different to a males and then send Robert on to her to discuss Double blind studys for her heel height facts.
She says that each female will have the correct heel to wear or something like that.
As a bloke I would want to know what is my perfect heel height there Emma. If she says you don´t have one because you are a male, then what makes a female foot different to a males and then send Robert on to her to discuss Double blind studys for her heel height facts.
Is that name, "Emma Supple", her real name.....or her stage name?
__________________
Sincerely,
Kevin
**************************************************
Kevin A. Kirby, DPM
Adjunct Associate Professor
Department of Applied Biomechanics
California School of Podiatric Medicine at Samuel Merritt College
Make some outrageous claim that the vast majority of the population would like to believe but is obviously complete nonsense to anyone with an IQ greater than that of a toothpick.
For example, in Glasgow, a dietician may say something like, "patients attending my dietetics clinic have found that eating battered fish and chips 3 times a day actually helps with weight loss. I've been giving out prescriptions to the chip shop ever since and my patients love me"
Someone like that is bound to get on telly!
__________________
I see you girls checkin' out my trunks
I see you girls checkin' out the front of my trunks
I see you girls lookin' at my junk, then checkin' out my rump, then back to my sugarlumps
Ideal Heel height can often be predicted by a number of factors: the flexibility and stability of the lower lumber region - as this is the first body segment to bear the true brunt of compensating for a rise in heel height - hypermobility issues (all body segments) but particularly with a pes cavus foot, the degree of rear foot varus /tibial varum, and the ROM of the first ray and 1st MPJ.
e.g a hypermobile pes cavus with tib varum 6 degrees + a stable pelvic girdle/lumbar region will be more comfortable in a medium high heel than a flat shoe.
As the heel is elevated, it inverts and approaches the rear foot neutral position. BUT - there must be adequate mid foot restraint. Interesting note: the only "high heels" I could ever stand up in were Robert Clergerie - a French engineer! Wish I knew his secrets and insights.
One thing I will say for emma is that she probably did more to promote "podiatry" (rather than shiropody) in 2 mins on gmtv than the rest of us manage in years of explaining it to people.
Quote:
Ideal Heel height can often be predicted by a number of factors: the flexibility and stability of the lower lumber region - as this is the first body segment to bear the true brunt of compensating for a rise in heel height - hypermobility issues (all body segments) but particularly with a pes cavus foot, the degree of rear foot varus /tibial varum, and the ROM of the first ray and 1st MPJ.
e.g a hypermobile pes cavus with tib varum 6 degrees + a stable pelvic girdle/lumbar region will be more comfortable in a medium high heel than a flat shoe.
As the heel is elevated, it inverts and approaches the rear foot neutral position. BUT - there must be adequate mid foot restraint. Interesting note: the only "high heels" I could ever stand up in were Robert Clergerie - a French engineer! Wish I knew his secrets and insights.
[quote=Robertisaacs;131794]One thing I will say for emma is that she probably did more to promote "podiatry" (rather than shiropody) in 2 mins on gmtv than the rest of us manage in years of explaining it to people.
That is true.
Any exposure of the general public to biomechanics is better than none.
Robin
__________________
I see you girls checkin' out my trunks
I see you girls checkin' out the front of my trunks
I see you girls lookin' at my junk, then checkin' out my rump, then back to my sugarlumps
General advise about heel height is dangerous advice and borders on negligence since what is good for one FFT is often bad (or very bad) for others.
She is using the sinus tarsi as her monitor but basically she is reinforcing the fact that functional foot typing predicts the "ideal" heel height for individuals and most people function better in a 1-3" heel (even you blokes).
Once again, The Arena, rather than inspect and research a colleagues view that differs from their rigid mantras, mocks her name or sex or something else rather than debate the material.
Supple Definition: Yielding or changing readily.
Supple: Sorely lacking from The Arena
"Don't be so humble - you are not that great." Golda Meir :
General advise about heel height is dangerous advice and borders on negligence since what is good for one FFT is often bad (or very bad) for others.
She is using the sinus tarsi as her monitor but basically she is reinforcing the fact that functional foot typing predicts the "ideal" heel height for individuals and most people function better in a 1-3" heel (even you blokes).
Once again, The Arena, rather than inspect and research a colleagues view that differs from their rigid mantras, mocks her name or sex or something else rather than debate the material.
Supple Definition: Yielding or changing readily.
Supple: Sorely lacking from The Arena
"Don't be so humble - you are not that great." Golda Meir :
Dennis
Hi Dennis Since your here and I did ask in an earlier post if anyone could get Emma on the explain her Views can you tell me what is good about this picture in I guess 3" heels.
To the very best of my knowledge in the structure of the shoe, heel height is matched to the toe spring which in turn defines the tread line over the metatarsal heads. Provided these match and the shoe has sufficient volume to accommodate a kinetic foot then heel height can be as high as toe spring will allow. Comfort is subjective and gait adaptation is essential but for some power heels would be prefectly acceptable.
Applying the Chaos Theory when things go wrong then they will go very wrong but otherwise for a minority high heels (matched with appropriate toe string etc) present no real issue.
The consequence of upper body adaptation (much cited by critics) remains unproven with the only real independent research still undecided about the evils of 'ankle breakers' and in the end it all becomes a matter of opinion.
Historically condemnation of high heels has been a misogenistic preoccupation. No reason to assume the present media interest is any different. As stereotyping goes high heeled shoes represent permissiveness to some; and somewhat ironically to many modern feminists power dressing is seen as a badge of emancipation. Eitherway it seems to get under some mens' nose.
To the very best of my knowledge in the structure of the shoe, heel height is matched to the toe spring which in turn defines the tread line over the metatarsal heads. Provided these match and the shoe has sufficient volume to accommodate a kinetic foot then heel height can be as high as toe spring will allow. Comfort is subjective and gait adaptation is essential but for some power heels would be prefectly acceptable.
Applying the Chaos Theory when things go wrong then they will go very wrong but otherwise for a minority high heels (matched with appropriate toe string etc) present no real issue.
The consequence of upper body adaptation (much cited by critics) remains unproven with the only real independent research still undecided about the evils of 'ankle breakers' and in the end it all becomes a matter of opinion.
Historically condemnation of high heels has been a misogenistic preoccupation. No reason to assume the present media interest is any different. As stereotyping goes high heeled shoes represent permissiveness to some; and somewhat ironically to many modern feminists power dressing is seen as a badge of emancipation. Eitherway it seems to get under some mens' nose.
I don't think anyone is really saying that wearing flat shoes is good for everyone. I think we are all aware that differing pathologies and ROM restrictions(soft tissue or otherwise) mean that a generically "good" heel height of shoe does not exist
However, I read the article on the original post out to my mother in law, who has no real knowledge of biomechanics and her summary, as a lay person, was that high heels are OK to wear, period.
High heels don't get under my nose(literally[unfortunately] or figuratively) but I think this article was perhaps a little misleading. People take things like that as gospel when it is just an opinion.
Robin
The Following User Says Thank You to RobinP For This Useful Post:
I don't think anyone is really saying that wearing flat shoes is good for everyone. I think we are all aware that differing pathologies and ROM restrictions(soft tissue or otherwise) mean that a generically "good" heel height of shoe does not exist
However, I read the article on the original post out to my mother in law, who has no real knowledge of biomechanics and her summary, as a lay person, was that high heels are OK to wear, period.
High heels don't get under my nose(literally[unfortunately] or figuratively) but I think this article was perhaps a little misleading. People take things like that as gospel when it is just an opinion.
M. Weber States:
Hi Dennis Since your here and I did ask in an earlier post if anyone could get Emma on the explain her Views can you tell me what is good about this picture in I guess 3" heels.
Dennis Replies:
Heel height is measured at the posterior surface of a shoe from the ground to the top of the heel subtracting any forefoot height (platform).
Your picture appears to be closer to a 5" heel than your guess of 3".
Certainly a 5" heel is unhealthy.
This woman is choosing style and fashion over health, period.
Your poor guess reminds me of a joke which goes:
Why do women make bad carpenters?
Because all of their lives they have been told that this (picture an average penis) is
10"! hahahaha
I hope your STJ measurements, your forefoot measurements and your limb length determinations do not reflect a similar inability to eyeball.
I ask of you if a patient wearing flat shoes is choosing comfort over support and functional?
What is healthy about this picture?
M. Weber States:
Hi Dennis Since your here and I did ask in an earlier post if anyone could get Emma on the explain her Views can you tell me what is good about this picture in I guess 3" heels.
Dennis Replies:
Heel height is measured at the posterior surface of a shoe from the ground to the top of the heel subtracting any forefoot height (platform).
Your picture appears to be closer to a 5" heel than your guess of 3".
Certainly a 5" heel is unhealthy.
This woman is choosing style and fashion over health, period.
Your poor guess reminds me of a joke which goes:
Why do women make bad carpenters?
Because all of their lives they have been told that this (picture an average penis) is
10"! hahahaha
I hope your STJ measurements, your forefoot measurements and your limb length determinations do not reflect a similar inability to eyeball.
I ask of you if a patient wearing flat shoes is choosing comfort over support and functional?
What is healthy about this picture?
Dennis
Having built my own house I think I can eye ball and measure quite well, but really not the point.
Will you please answer my questions and then we can discuss yours, you are making the claim that 1" -3" most people function better. Tell me all about it.
As for your picture Without assessing the foot how am I ment to come up with an answer. Every person is different there is no such thing as normal.
Now explain this statement
Quote:
She is using the sinus tarsi as her monitor but basically she is reinforcing the fact that functional foot typing predicts the "ideal" heel height for individuals and most people function better in a 1-3" heel (even you blokes).
Oh good. Another thread turning into a row about FFT. We didn't have enough.
The problem is with the whole idea of an "ideal" foot height. For anyone. No matter how it is worked out.
Lets be honest here gents and ladies, we don't know what the hell constitutes "Ideal" foot function so we can't know what the "ideal" heel height is. No, not even you Dennis.
Even if we did it would vary between times of day (diurnal variation), activity, other elements of the footwear etc etc etc.
Higher heels might mean less pronation moments. But i suspect they also mean earlier heel strike. Also most heels (as shown in those rather cool pictures) have to be rigid. Which means a damn great steel pin connecting the heel strike of the shoe to the heel itself.
So, which is more "ideal", an earlier and sharper heel impact with less pronatory moment or a later and softer heel impact with greater pronatory moment.
The answer, I suspect, is IT DEPENDS! Ideal for what?!
It is the very concept of a single "ideal position" for anyone which causes me to roll my eyes, not that someone think that is dead flat or 6 inches.
If I have a patient with a massive amount of forefoot global equinus, maybe even neurological, would that person need large amounts of heel lift in order to have normal function?
If I have a patient with a massive amount of forefoot global equinus, maybe even neurological, would that person need large amounts of heel lift in order to have normal function?
LIKE THIS?
Dennis, I happen to agree with you on this- to a point. But, lets remove the word "normal" and replace it with some other words such as "more efficient", "less painful" etc something which is more measurable than "normal".
How to find the ideal heel height of a shoe
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