We’ve heard how damaging stilettos can be to feet, but now experts are warning that flat shoes are the ones to watch out for. In fact, some foot doctors are even urging people to strap on sexy heels to keep their feet healthy.
Although comfortable, flat shoes can cause severe foot pain, bunions, shooting pains in the shins, backaches and even arthritis.
“Over the last three to four years we’ve had a significant increase in the number of problems caused be wearing flat shoes such as ballet pumps or flip-flops,” said Mike O’Neill, consultant podiatric surgeon and spokesman for the Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists.
O'Neill said flat shoes mess up our bodies in a number of ways, including:
— They cause people to shuffle instead of walk, which can ruin posture.
— Flat shoes cause the feet to roll inward, stretching ligaments and tendons. The stretched ligaments pull toes out of alignment with the rest of the foot, causing severe pain and this can eventually cause bunions.
— When the feet roll in they pull the knees with them. If forced into an awkward angle, the knee caps can become inflamed, painful, and sometimes, arthritic.
— Walking up hills or running in flats can also bring trouble, as the lack of support causes inflammation along the shin, prompting shooting pains called shin splints.
O'Neill said the ideal heel size is one inch.
Another added bonus to ditching frumpy flats? Italian researchers found women who wear a heel of one to two inches may have more fun between the sheets.
The body posture adopted while wearing heels improves the pelvic floor muscles, which help to create mind-blowing sex.
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