Are High Heels Bad for Your Back? (Answered)

Although they may improve your outfit or give you more confidence, most people don’t wear heels for comfort. Do you know are high heels bad for your back?

High heels, worn every day, all day, can affect your back in many ways. It causes the lumbar spine of the low back to flatten while forcing the thoracic spine ofthe mid-back into a hyper-curved position.

Continue reading and find out more about high heels’ effect on your back.

Cause of Back Pain

The 30 tiny bones that make up your spine are arranged in a column. It is intended to curve in a very gentle S-slope, leaving space for the blood and nerves to flow through it easily and to support your entire body uniformly.

A major cause of back pain occurs when that alignment becomes compromised. As the rubbery cushions between each bone deteriorate with age, back pain also develops. Pain that can spread to your legs and arms results from joints becoming stiffer and less flexible.

Your spinal bones become brittle as you age due to a breakdown in bone structure. Back pain is frequently brought on by bones that experience microscopic cracks. Your spine can be harmed by both illnesses and accidents.

Are High Heels Bad for Your Back?

Some articles online will suggest that wearing high heels can affect your posture and, over time, lead to anatomical changes.

According to these reports, wearing high heels causes the body’s weight to shift forward and exert more pressure on the foot’s ball.

The rest of the body then attempts to compensate for this change, causing:

• Increased pressure on the knees and calf muscles
• The lower back to be pushed forward, changing the alignment of the spine and hips
• The chest to be pushed outward

These articles generally imply that wearing high heels alters the natural curvature of the spine and puts an excessive amount of stress on the muscles.

As a result, an individual who wears high heels regularly may end up with:

• Spondylolisthesis: a condition in which the position of one vertabra is changed in relation to the others
• Stenosis: a narrowing of the spinal canal causing pressure on the nerves which results in pain

Read More: Do High Heels Cause Bunions?

How to Relieve Back Pain from Wearing Heels and Prevent Injury?

The obvious solution for back pain brought on by high heels is to stop wearing them, but if you are unable to do so because of your work attire or personal fashion preferences, there are other options to help you manage your pain.

Stretching and building up the overworked muscles in your lower back and legs is a good place to start.

• Before and after wearing heels, flex your hip flexors and leg muscles. There are numerous stretches you can try, but make sure to choose the ones that are the most comfortable for you.
• The muscles in the soles of your feet should be massaged and stretched. Get a professional foot massage like reflexology or roll your foot on a golf ball. The hamstrings and plantar fascia will be made more flexible and relaxed as a result.
• Improve the strength and range of motion in your feet and ankles. A great way to strengthen the feet is to walk barefoot on sand. You can also try the “marble pickup” exercise by sitting in a chair and using your toes to pick up and move marbles.

Also Read: How to Make High Heels More Comfortable?

Conclusion: Are High Heels Bad for Your Back

You don’t have to give up high fashion to avoid this cause of back pain.

But if you wear high heels frequently and have been experiencing back pain and are seeking relief, book an appointment with a physiotherapist near you to get a full assessment and treatment plan in place.

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