High Heels and Your Back – Chiropractic Solutions

There is nothing sexy about a bad back. Those high heeled shoes with the 4 inch heels may look fabulous in the fashion magazines, but on your feet they will shift your center of gravity a way that is NOT sexy at all. Wearing high heels causes your pelvis to tip forward, which forces the muscles in your hips, thighs and lower back to work harder, not in a good way! Overworking your muscles in this way can cause spasms and tightness. It also curves your lower back, making the buttocks stick out. Curving your lower spine is painful.
Consider also, the longer you wear high heels, the more your body posture adapts to it. Some muscles may be working harder, but other important muscles are going unused, and becoming weaker. Those gluteal muscles and hip flexors, muscles responsible for raising your knee to your chest go unusually tight, and cause back pain. The muscle tension actually shortens the muscles, which then pull at the lower back. Combine this with sitting at a desk job, and you have a double threat.
Still willing to suffer for beauty? Try a few of these things to try to reduce long-term damage to your back.

1. Stretch your hip flexors regularly- Keeping them stretched can reduce back pain. Try this exercise- Kneel on one knee on the floor with the foot of the extended leg slightly forward of the knee. Then move your hips slowly forward so your knee is over your foot. You should feel a gentle stretch in the hip of the kneeling leg. Hold 20-30 seconds, do twice each side.
2. Choose a lower heel- A heel of 2 inches or less will still look elegant without stressing your musculoskeletal system.
3. Tighten your abdominal muscles- A strong core will help to maintain good posture, and take some of the load from your upper body off of your back. Consider practicing yoga or pilates.
4. Have regular Chiropractic Treatment- At Breathe our experienced Chiropractor can realign a spine pulled out of alignment by high heels and suggest appropriate exercises to strengthen weak muscles. We also have a fun Gimp-ilates class to help you strengthen your core.
Good health is a combination of many factors including your nutrition, preventative care, appropriate corrective care and the small choices you make every day in the course of living. If you have questions about this article, your general or spinal health, please ask. We at Breathe Health Center and Services are here to help!