Being shoe specialist that has worn heels for the largest part of her time, the thought of switching to flat shoes can appear about as comfy as climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in this season’s 6″ stilettos. Even if there are several really beautiful flats around this season – amongst them the grungy gladiator shoe – the reality is that for many ladies wearing flat shoes for even just few short minutes is sufficient to drive quick pains shooting up their legs. Whereas it is tempting to see this as reason enough to steer clear of uncomfortable footwear, in truth this intense pain is your top cause to get those feet in a pair of flats quick smart.
The problem with sandals is that they contort your entire body into an unnatural contour by thrusting your pelvis ahead and crippling your back. As you move in this weird pose your boobs and bottom are strained to stick out at all sorts of angles which can feel all very sexy until you begin to face the long-term effects of these orthopaedic bad dreams, that can include chronic lower back pain and intervertebral disc injury. Even though you could get used to walking in heels – so much so that anything else feels unnatural – the fact is that if you find it tricky to walk without being contorted this way, then chances are you’re at risk of grave damage down the track.
Now take a look at your beloved strapless flip flops, ballet flats or even your sneakers and you’ll notice that the contour of the shoe’s toe region comes to a point. Now take a look at your feet. Spot the difference? When given sufficient breathing space our toes easily assemble in an curve formation so that our feet are a good deal wider at the toes than at the back. Regardless of this, most fashion high heels get narrower at the front and crunch them simultaneously, which can lead to crooked big toes and painful (not to mention ugly) bunions. The force on those feeble little toes is made all the worse when they are lodged into high heels that transfer the weight of the body from the sturdy heel bone to the weak bones at the front of the feet. Now you are aware there is a good reason to stick to flat sandals whenever you can.