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The 'G' Factor for High Heels

Discussion in 'General Issues and Discussion Forum' started by Trent Baker, Mar 3, 2008.

  1. Trent Baker

    Trent Baker Active Member


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    I was just flicking through some info on footwear and stumbled upon it. Some great tips for those of you who want to recommend wearing high heels to your patients. It kind of has a 'if you can't beat 'em, join'em' feel about it. ;-)

    Killer Heels: A Survival Guide



    "The ‘G’ Factor: Glamour, Glide, Guide and Give
    Ask any woman…high heels are an essential part of the wardrobe – they make your legs look longer, bottom smaller and can convert you from a drab ‘shopper’ to a diva ‘spectacular’ and no podiatrist would dare to tell you otherwise!

    However, ‘high’ heels can become ‘killer’ heels causing problems ranging from blisters, corns and calluses to serious foot, knee and back pain. But as it’s a party essential, rather than wagging the finger in caution, we are offering words of wisdom to help you and your feet.

    Lucky for all divas, The Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists have discovered the ‘G’ Factor of High Heels, offering four easy tips to help women enjoy wearing high heels without damaging their feet:

    Glamour – Let high heels give you that extra ‘sparkle’ and save wearing them only for glamorous, special occasions. Try limit wearing them to around three to eight hours, and the height of heels, even for the most ‘A-list’ of events, shouldn’t be so high you have trouble walking! For everyday wear, heel height shouldn’t be more than 4–5 cm’s.

    Glide – Don’t look like you’re rushing to catch a bus…. slow down, take smaller steps and shorten your stride when wearing high heels. Put the heel down first and glide! Not only will this minimise damage to your feet, but will give you that sexy high-heel wiggle! In fact, Lady Di wore low heels as her long legs and slender frame didn’t allow her to wear high-heels and glide elegantly.

    Guide – Let the experts guide you into buying the right size shoe. According to leading podiatrist, Trevor Prior, 90 % of his patients wear shoes that are too small. Sizes vary according to the brand and style, so, be sure to have shoes correctly fitted and check that there is up to ½ inch of space in the shoe beyond the longest toe and that the shoes are not too narrow. Also, nip any foot related problems in the bud to avoid them getting worse and before they impact on your lifestyle - use the guidance of experts such as your local podiatrist for advice.

    Give – Give your feet some extra special attention during, and after wearing high heels. Exercise the calf, heel and foot muscles by stretching them out to increase circulation and help them relax – you can even do it whilst standing at the bar waiting for a drink! Give your feet a moisturising massage when you get home (after bathing!) to again help your foot muscles relax and put back some of the essential moisture you lose wearing backless, or open-toe heels.

    “Forget the X factor, look out here comes the G factor!” says TV fashion expert and stylist to the stars, John Scott.

    “All women love their heels, they look better, they walk better and most importantly they feel better.... so why do we abuse our feet so much? After all, we have facials and manicures and massages to look after the rest of our body so now lets all do the G's to look after our feet. Glamour...glide...guide and give will be the new mantra for the new year...so come on ladies put the spring back into your step and follow these simple but oh so effective tips”.

    Women’s love affair with high heels means they are never going to go out of fashion. However, following The Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists’ four simple ‘G’ Factor tips means all women can experience and enjoy high heels!"

    Here is the link:

    http://www.feetforlife.org/cgi-bin/item.cgi?id=752&d=11&h=24&f=46

    Trent
     
  2. Cameron

    Cameron Well-Known Member

    Trent

    Medical history of the condemnation of heeled shoes has a dark past which reeks of misogeny and antisemitism. All claims from bad posture to hysteria have been shown, time and time again, to be alarmist and (completely) without foundation.

    There is absolutely no independent evidence to support high heeled shoes are any worse than any other kind of shoe. In fact the evidence supports high heels may have certain benefits over what is generally described as 'a sensible shoe.'

    Under these circumstances the SOCP advice is both trite and partenalistic. No doubt well meant, the contents refer to ill fitting footwear in general.

    :bang:
    toeslayer
     
  3. twirly

    twirly Well-Known Member

    <sigh>

    WRONG!

    Anecdotal evidence case 1) Me ;)

    Fact: High heel = walk like one is suffering from a) constipation b) genu valgum

    Fact: Comfy Doc Martins = Glide effortlessly with gait of 'normal' biped.

    Fact: High heel = forefoot pain (usually accompanied by varied expletives)

    Fact: Comfy Doccers = Improved ability to converse without causing undue offense.

    As for the 'wiggle' I feel certain (although no research available) most womens bums wobble regardless of footwear choices. Indeed many wobble even in slippers.

    I challenge any man to wear 4'' heels for 3 hours & then to justify the statement:

    Any takers?
     
  4. Scorpio622

    Scorpio622 Active Member

    Slayer,

    In my opinion, common sense always trumps scientific evidence. Common sense is pure and unadulterated, and "evidence" is often tainted and biased.

    Nevertheless, how can you say that a patient with metatarsalgia and bunion pain is not aggravating or exacerbating the condition with high heels?? It just seems like common sense- but I could be wrong.

    Also, please expand on your statement about antisemitism. I had not idea that I was in step with the Nazi's when advising my patients not to wear heels.

    Nick
     
  5. Cameron

    Cameron Well-Known Member

    twirly

    A wee bit of a difference between anecdotal citation and independent evidence. The 'wiggle' appears to be a modifed Trendelenburg gait which is measurable and now the dastardly scientists have made a direct connection with improved pelvic musculature and heeled shoes.

    >I challenge any man to wear 4'' heels for 3 hours & then to justify the statement:

    Happy to oblige but only if it is your shoes ;)

    love and kisses from downunder
    toeslayer
     
  6. twirly

    twirly Well-Known Member

    My Slayer Sir,

    They're in the post.

    By the way UK size 5. Hope thats ok.

    Xs back, from up here ;)
     
  7. Cameron

    Cameron Well-Known Member

    Nick

    >In my opinion, common sense always trumps scientific evidence. Common sense is pure and unadulterated, and "evidence" is often tainted and biased.

    No problem with having an opinion. I think however you may find scientists would seriously disagree with your logic.

    >Nevertheless, how can you say that a patient with metatarsalgia and bunion pain is not aggravating or exacerbating the condition with high heels??

    Well of course I never said anything like that, did I?

    Inadequate footwear can contribute as an exciting pathological factor, although it rarely is the primary case.

    >It just seems like common sense- but I could be wrong.

    This is really a chicken and egg conundrum and a 'conditons apply' approach is probably worth while.

    If the conditons previously existed then inadequate (ie poor fitting) footwear for prolonged use would be ill advised. That is common sense.
    If the symptoms are associated with wearing footwear then the surrounding conditons must also be taken into consideration eg long periods of weightbearing. The problem here does not lie with the shoe style but with the footwear chosen for the physical activity. So again it would be ill advised to wear heeled shoes if you intend to spend a long time weightbearing.

    >Also, please expand on your statement about antisemitism.

    Prior to the beginning of the Second World War in Nazi Gremany marginalisation of the Jewish popluation became commonplace and one of the antisemetic slurs was only Jewish women wore high heels. Affluent young jewish women were depicted in Nazi propoganda as unnationallyistically following overseas trends (usually US) of fashion and dance. Wearing fashionable heeled shoes in a country slowly recovering from severe depression was seen as un-German and overtly decadent. A similar dislike to fashionable shoes was evident in the Allied countries where war rationing meant going without leather lifts on the heel of shoes was very partriotic.

    The culture of physical fitness which swept the Western World in the thirties was particularly promoted by the Nazi party and this is where we seen the the origins for the sensible shoe and foot orthoses. Throughout the eighteenth century onwards medical research in Europe was based on the belief of Darwinism and itinerant city populations became the source of medical research. The poorest people in Europe were Jewish and consequently much of the research into disease reflected malnutrition and communicatable diseases in Jewish communities. Diabetes for example was known as the Jewish Disease and you may still run across reference in modern text to a 'condition of the Mediteranean races,' a euphanism for Jew people. One major concern to the Europeans was many Jewish people were considered unfit to work (and defend their city state) after a sizable enquiry it was declared the reason was because Jewish people had flat feet. The fashion to have arched feet followed and arch supports became very popular among non-Jewish people. This is all well documented and a very sad reflection on medical research.

    >I had not idea that I was in step with the Nazi's when advising my patients not to wear heels.

    Nor would I be suggesting anything of the sort. However I am sure you would agree it is best to be aware of the history. If there is no real 'independent ' evidence to support heeled shoes are bad for you (other than what we agree above) then it is best to take a 'conditons apply' approach to advising patients.

    Cheers
    Cameron

    References
    Gilman SL 1990 The jewish body:a "footnote" Bull Hist Med 64:4 588-602
     
  8. Cameron

    Cameron Well-Known Member

    twirly

    Just my size.:santa2:

    toeslayer
     
  9. You Tart! I trust you will be returning my size 11 Jimmy Choos toot sweet. So much for your promises of fidelity - I might have guessed as much from a Jambo man!
     
  10. twirly

    twirly Well-Known Member

    Need a 'scratchin my head emoticon' here.....

    Dare I ask what's one o'them then???? :confused:

    Have mental pic here of the Slayer guy in Marks Jimmy Choos covered in jam!!

    + either the Slayer is 'slobbin about' in Marks shoes or he's really into pain wantin to squeeze into my size 5s.....

    Could worry about you lot, really I could. :rolleyes:
     
  11. Cameron

    Cameron Well-Known Member

    Mark

    Possession is nine tenths of the law. There mine I tell you.

    A Jambo dear twirly is a loyal follower of Heart of Midlothian Football Club - stalwards of the terracing and fine body of men (and women) and all the better wearing Mark's shoes. BTW someone is trying to sell the club on ebay.

    As to heels - I say ,'Hang 'em high.':dizzy:

    toeslayer
     
  12. Just confirms my suspicions of your deviant disposition dear Twirly. Welcome to the club!
     
  13. twirly

    twirly Well-Known Member

    Oh dear,


    Himself being a Mon the Hoops kinda guy I know no other football supporters.......

    I am not permitted to enter conversation/allegiance to 'those whose teams will not be mentioned'.........

    I quake at the thought of being caught in the presence of the ''OTHERS''

    Only hope Himself doesn't find me out!!!

    If it aint in 'Hoops' I'm no following........ (by the way the keyboard is fae Glasgae but I'm no.....................)

    Hush..................:boohoo:
     
  14. Trent Baker

    Trent Baker Active Member

    As a relatively new poster I've come to the conclusion that you lot are raving mad! I mean everyone knows that Malanoblaniks are the bomb, and none of you will fit into my size 6 AAA's.

    Trent
     
  15. ely

    ely Member

    I did my first talk to a elderly community group yesterday, and decided (perhaps ill-advised) to take in a heap of different shoes and get the group to discuss the redeeming (and not so redeeming) features of each, using a falls prevention handout to identify features of a "good" shoe.. The idea was to help the folks to be able to identify the features of a "sensible" shoe. Disturbingly enough, the stillettos had a supportive heel cup, adjustable fastening, and flexed at the MPJs :rolleyes:

    Ely
     
  16. DAVOhorn

    DAVOhorn Well-Known Member

    Hey hang on guys and gals, arent we forgetting something.

    I always thought that the Human was biped and had two feet designed specifically for the purpose of walking on irregular soft surfaces such as sand earth mud etc etc.

    When we moved north our trotters got cold so protective foot coverings were designed to protect us from the cold and rocky surfaces.

    Some idiot decided that instead of a shoe being a purely functional item to protect our trotters from the hostile enviroment they were now required to walk they could become a fashion item.:bang:

    Hence Womens wardrobes are full of stupidly designed orthopaedically incorrect fashion statements.:craig:

    If the supreme being had wanted us to walk on our toes we would have PAWS OR HOOVES.:deadhorse:

    regards David the Biped
    in boring cumfy Clarkes Shoes with lace fitting. Not a single High heel in my wardrobe.:drinks
     
  17. twirly

    twirly Well-Known Member

    I await Mr David Hollands input.

    Is this you 'Flat earth theory' David H.?

    Although obviously not just the footwear but the contact surfaces we walk on.

    Regards muchly,
     
  18. Cameron

    Cameron Well-Known Member

    DavoHorn

    >When we moved north our trotters got cold so protective foot coverings were designed to protect us from the cold and rocky surfaces.

    From available studies it seems dweelers in the northern hemisphere wore footwear long before those in the warmer southern hemisphere.

    >Some idiot decided that instead of a shoe being a purely functional item to protect our trotters from the hostile enviroment they were now required to walk they could become a fashion item.

    With the exception of hands and faces, clothing has an important social significance which tells much about the personality of the wearer. When observing strangers the sight of clothes provided the safest distance to judge friend or foe, with more intimate relationships dependent upon the finer facial features, body gestures and speech play. Seems clothing serves three more functions: decoration, modesty and protection. Whilst the latter may appear the most logical it is not supported by history (both ancient and modern). Fig leaf mentality may explain why we have covered up, but by far the major reason for clothing, is decoration. The essential purpose of decoration was to beautify bodily appearance in order to attract admiring glances from others thus fortify self-esteem. Modesty, on the other hand, makes us hide body parts in an attempt to refrain from drawing the attention of others. When decoration and modesty are pitted together this can provide a psychological conflict resulting in a clothing neurosis. The degree of harmony or compromise between these conflicting interests may be clearly seen in shoes.

    According to Harrold & Legg (1986) long before shoes became costume for all they formed a major part of ritual. From the beginning, human decoration celebrated procreation demonstratively directing the seers’ attention to gender. The theory of Displacement of Effect supports this and upholds the theory as we covered up, the head and feet became gender symbols. Subsequently the greatest motive for wearing clothes was sexual. Not in the fig leaf sense (sinful) but to further enhance the attractiveness of the wearer in order to procreate the species. Another common use of decoration in primitive society was the display of trophies. People decorated and scarified their body to protect themselves from imaginary evil spirits. In primitive culture the victor carried mementos of the vanquished which would include their testicles. Strength and courage of the hunted animals were much admired by hunters and gatherers who wore hides in the hope to harness these attributes. This may well account why shoes were made from fish and animal skins. But it took until the technology was available for leathers to be tanned and treated before shoes could have a protective function. Once this took place the need to decorate the shoe for luck became a subtle craft. We see the remnants of this in modern shoes, such as brogue patterns; or tassels (testicles) on loafers. Carrying lucky talisman within the shoes has a long history which continues to this day with the Penny Loafer. Rank, occupation and wealth were also encoded into types of clothing. Unshod feet in Roman times was the mark of a slave or woman; only male citizens of the city had the right to wear sandals. Military station was depicted by the height of boot worn by the soldier and in Mediterranean society; elevated sandals were worn by sex workers.

    Fashionable footwear was always the prerogative of the ruling classes and definitely the preserve of men. This all started to change in the thirteenth century when returning Crusaders brought back with them the concept of chivalry. Europeans embraced the concept of ideal beauty through the medium of visual arts and literature and womens’costume began a reflective change. International trade had led to the growth of towns and enrichment of the Italian mercantile classes with a resulting rich bourgeoisie. The women of the nouveaux riche wanted to emulate the privileges of nobility and became focused on perfecting the female body through the medium of sumptuous costume. Fashion for women came much later and is associated with Catherine d'medici. Her clothing preferences were eagerly copied while she was alive and became passe after her death. This was a first.

    toeslayer

    toeslayer
     
  19. Trent Baker

    Trent Baker Active Member

    WOW! This is indeed an impressive critique of clothing.

    Given your great historical knowledge of fashion, clothing and footwear, can you confirm the following?

    It was my understanding that high heeled shoes were originally derived from male coach drivers who nails blocks to the heels of their boots in order to reach the brake pedal more easily on long trips. This was then picked up by the French male aristocracy as a fashion item and even later again by women.

    Trent
     
  20. Cameron

    Cameron Well-Known Member

    Trent

    I wrote a paper on the origins of heels which was published in the one of the UK journals a few years ago.

    >It was my understanding that high heeled shoes were originally derived from male coach drivers who nails blocks to the heels of their boots in order to reach the brake pedal more easily on long trips. This was then picked up by the French male aristocracy as a fashion item and even later again by women.

    It is well neigh impossible to be 100% accurate but wedged shoes were known to exist in pre-Hellenic times. These were worn by shepherds tending their flocks on very hilly terrain. The elevated heel helped them traverse the gradient. As trade across the Mediterranean widened the elevated style was found on the feet of rich Assyrian merchants and became the mark of success. The heel as we understand it today may have coincided with the discovery of saddlery and stirrups to assist mounted archers to maintain stability whilst riding. This can be dated to antiquity and was present in both Occidental and Oriental Society. It was perfected by the time of Attila the Hun who literally conquered the known world on horseback. The heeled shoe as a fashion is linked to Catherine di Medici and ironically is thought to represent the first orthopaedic shoe (designed to reduce falls associated with wearing high platforms -chopines). Cordwainers cored the met head area out of the platform sole giving a more stabilised shoe. The fashion for heeled mules was what Catherine took to France as the new queen. Shoes were generally expensive and some believe the heel being easier and cheaper to replace became a sensible economy from the nineteenth century onwards. Robust shoes for walking became a vogue around the seventeenth and eighteenth century. Which happens to coincide with the rise of corn cutters.
    Elevated shoes have a long association with sex workers which became rather glamorised with the rise of Hollywood and then the Stiletto made its appearance in 1952.

    With advanced technology greater practical applications, such as you cite, were all the more possible. Protective footwear would be an achievement of a very sophisticated, socialised and egalitarian society.

    toeslayer
     
  21. Trent Baker

    Trent Baker Active Member

    This is great stuff toeslayer, thanks for sharing all of this with us. I really hadn't expected the thread I started here to get so in depth. The wonders of Podiatry Arena hey!

    Can you provide a link to the paper you mentioned?
     
  22. Cameron

    Cameron Well-Known Member

    Trent

    >Can you provide a link to the paper you mentioned?

    Kippen C. 2001 The high heeled shoe: An historical survey British Journal of Podiatry 4:3 84-89.

    Others that may be of general interest
    Kippen C. 2005 The history of footbinding British Journal of Podiatry 8: 2; 67-69
    KippenC. 2004 The curious history of long toed shoes British Journal of Podiatry 7:4 96 – 100.
    Kippen C. 2003 A brief social history of wooden shoes British Journal of Podiatric Medicine 6:1 12-16.
    Kippen C., & Weir E. 2002 Falanga torture: A grim reality in the twenty first century British Journal of Podiatric Medicine 4:3 64-67.

    cheers
    toeslayer
     
  23. Trent Baker

    Trent Baker Active Member

  24. Cameron

    Cameron Well-Known Member

    Trent

    More Marks' province than mine. Anyway I am a tea tottler now :eek:

    Now that the memory cells have kicked in way back in the 60s in the American Journals there were adverts for incidental furniture, like occasional tables which featured legs and feet, like the picture. Very Alan Jones (artist not the shock Jock) and I would think if you had purchased them then, they would have appreciated somewhat.

    Cheers
    toeslayer
     
  25. Trent Baker

    Trent Baker Active Member

    Good to know. I'll be searching the antique stores looking for very specific items.
     
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