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Pain Free High Heels: How To Party Without Painful Feet

The poor models at Fashion Week couldn’t wait to take their heels off, but if you’re keen to keep yours on, our podiatrist has sent help

Flats and trainers had a moment again in 2014 but it seems for 2015 we will be well and truly staying on our tiptoes, as the shoes making their way down the catwalks at the recent fashion weeks were heel-tastic.

And it’s not just the fashion, 91 per cent of women reportedly feel more attractive in heels, so if we’re going to wear them it’s vital we give our feet as much of a helping hand as possible.

Sore feet at LFW (Yahoo)
Sore feet at LFW (Yahoo)

We spoke to the experts at Carnation Footcare to find out what we can do to prevent the corns, bunions, claw toes, blisters and pain that come with our beautiful high-heeled shoesies.

Dr Tariq Khan, consultant podiatrist at the Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine, and adviser to Carnation Footcare says: “As the fashion for higher and higher heels grows, as will the range of foot problems we see occurring.

“Conditions such as bunions are becoming more prevalent as women opt for skyscraper heels and the higher the heel, the greater the risk of falling and causing serious injury.

“The height of the heel is directly proportionate to the increase in pressure on the ball of the foot.”

Save Your Feet

So he has a few recommendations:

• Soak your feet in warm, salty, water for ten minutes before going to bed at night. This will help to soothe the ligaments, tendons and muscles in your feet and avoid any pain the following morning.
• Wear an orthotic to help support your feet and eliminate heel, arch, knee, hip and lower back pain. Pro-nation orthotics are available to buy in pharmacies nationwide. And they’re discreet, don’t worry!
• Always have a spare pair of comfortable shoes handy in case you need to give your feet a rest.
• Protect your toes from potential corns or bunions by using bunion protectors, bunion pads and corn caps.
• Toughen the soles of your feet with a simple foot massager. You can easily do this either at your desk or watching TV with Carnation’s Pedi-Roller, £9.48.
• Practice walking in heels, looking directly into a long mirror. Good posture helps maintain healthy feet.
• Whenever you have a chance – walk barefoot in the grass. Apart from grounding you, many people believe this helps relieve stress as well as strengthening and stretching the muscles, tendons and ligaments in your feet, ankles and calves, which in turn prevents or relieves knee strain and back problems.

Many of us have a love/hate relationship with heels
Many of us have a love/hate relationship with heels



Blisters are probably the most common problem so try to avoid them by wearing shoes that fit well or be applying an anti-blister stick or spray.

If you can’t avoid them, cover them with a specific blister plaster to prevent them getting worse or becoming infected.

One in four women who suffers from foot pain blame it on their corns. Dr Khan explains that corns are caused by subjecting your feet to too much pressure, or simply the rubbing of your shoes.

Podiatrist’s standard method is to scalpel the affected area of your foot. Not a nice thought for anyone, but corn caps can be a much better and less unpleasant treatment.

And if it’s just uncomfy pressure that’s a problem, gel cushions for your heels and toes are available which can make all the difference in the short term. Even if you’re a heel pro, keep a pack in your bag on a night out so you don’t end up on the dirty dancefloor in bare feet.

Go forth and run in heels, ladies.

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