4. Biting back
High heels shift our centre of gravity forward, causing the spine to bend backward to compensate. Is it any wonder that a long day standing in high heels causes low back pain?
High heel help: If you have to be on your feet for long periods, try to find even brief opportunities to sit down and take a load off. When you're standing, think about core and postural awareness for better back health. Whether you're in a lineup, at a networking event, or waiting for the elevator, be sure to practice "posture perfect." Square your shoulders, lengthen your spine and bear your weight on both feet. Keep shoulders, hips and knees "stacked" over one another. Pull in and up on your abdominals in a light contraction that will not only provide support for your back, but will strengthen your abdominals.
Conversations and distractions make "posture perfect" difficult to maintain nonstop, so give yourself a cue -- every time you look at your watch or greet a colleague, for example -- that will remind you to re-engage throughout the day. These little efforts in conjunction with your regular core fitness regime will help minimize back bite.
High heels may be a pain in the foot but they're here to stay, so if you're still walking with happy feet, take these simple precautions toward prevention. If you feel you've overstepped your high-heel health with these or other foot maladies, take a sensible approach to your foot fashion and also talk to a podiatrist who can clearly diagnose your pain. It's important to remember that high-heel hindrances like these don't happen overnight, but rather develop over time, and you can take small steps each day to keep the pain away.
Michelle Cederberg MKin, PFLC
As president of Live Out Loud Fitness and Wellness Consulting, Michelle helps individuals and organizations Pump up Productivity in work, fitness and life. She has built her career in the fitness industry since 1990, as a personal trainer and educator, and expands that practical experience into motivational speaking and consulting. Her lively sessions have entertained hundreds of audiences across Canada and the U.S. To gain access to helpful fitness products and tips, contact Michelle at www.liveoutloud.ca and spend your summer getting "Fit by Bit."
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