Comments on: Suffering For Beauty: The Beloved Curse of the High-Heeled Shoe http://www.myseveralworlds.com/2008/01/12/suffering-for-beauty-the-beloved-curse-of-the-high-heeled-shoe/ Destinations, Lifestyles, and Cultures in Asia Thu, 02 Feb 2012 22:35:42 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Laura Vandegrift http://www.myseveralworlds.com/2008/01/12/suffering-for-beauty-the-beloved-curse-of-the-high-heeled-shoe/#comment-53846 Laura Vandegrift Sun, 16 Oct 2011 17:08:35 +0000 http://myseveralworlds.com/blog/2008/01/12/suffering-for-beauty-the-beloved-curse-of-the-high-heeled-shoe/#comment-53846 Hi Carrie: loved your article on the foot binding in China. Have you read “Snow Flower and the Secret Fan?” Really good novel based on a true history of foot binding and other Chinese women related lives. After wearing heels for 20 years, it took me 3 years to stretch my calves so that I could wear running/walking shoes. I still have to constantly stretch my calves to keep them from tightening up after wearing low healed shoes. Orthotics help immensely to overcome the arch situation in low shoes. I recommend Foot Levelers.com. However, my problem with heels is that our feet were not designed for them. Prehistoric Indians made flat sandals with straps and so did the Romans. They were designed for protection so that they could walk. Wouldn’t it be nice to come home from work and go for a walk rather than kick your shoes off and put your feet up because they hurt so much? How much more exercise would women get if they could move and walk better. How much healthier and fit would they be with more movement in their lives. There are very nice low-heeled shoes that make our legs still look nice. But who are we making them nice for? The very men who designed the shoes in the first place for their pleasure. If you look at the early lace up shoes for women they are vey pointed. Some woman with a long middle toe must have been the model. Most women have wider feet and don’t’ even fit into the pointed shoes without getting them a size or two larger. This does not make sense. And if you see the way most women walk in some of the high heels out there it is hilarious and sad. In this burgeoning age when women are coming into their own as CEO’s and corporate directors, how much further along would we be if we could move and work better and not be in pain. When your feet hurt, your whole body hurts. I would love to wear pretty shoes, but I have found, as a lot of younger women will discover as they get older, that comfort is better. Self esteem should not be measured by the heel height. If a woman needs to feel good about herself because of her shoes, than there is something seriously wrong with our society. Hi Carrie: loved your article on the foot binding in China. Have you read “Snow Flower and the Secret Fan?” Really good novel based on a true history of foot binding and other Chinese women related lives.

After wearing heels for 20 years, it took me 3 years to stretch my calves so that I could wear running/walking shoes. I still have to constantly stretch my calves to keep them from tightening up after wearing low healed shoes. Orthotics help immensely to overcome the arch situation in low shoes. I recommend Foot Levelers.com.

However, my problem with heels is that our feet were not designed for them. Prehistoric Indians made flat sandals with straps and so did the Romans. They were designed for protection so that they could walk. Wouldn’t it be nice to come home from work and go for a walk rather than kick your shoes off and put your feet up because they hurt so much? How much more exercise would women get if they could move and walk better. How much healthier and fit would they be with more movement in their lives. There are very nice low-heeled shoes that make our legs still look nice. But who are we making them nice for? The very men who designed the shoes in the first place for their pleasure.

If you look at the early lace up shoes for women they are vey pointed. Some woman with a long middle toe must have been the model. Most women have wider feet and don’t’ even fit into the pointed shoes without getting them a size or two larger. This does not make sense. And if you see the way most women walk in some of the high heels out there it is hilarious and sad.

In this burgeoning age when women are coming into their own as CEO’s and corporate directors, how much further along would we be if we could move and work better and not be in pain. When your feet hurt, your whole body hurts. I would love to wear pretty shoes, but I have found, as a lot of younger women will discover as they get older, that comfort is better. Self esteem should not be measured by the heel height. If a woman needs to feel good about herself because of her shoes, than there is something seriously wrong with our society.

]]> By: shrili http://www.myseveralworlds.com/2008/01/12/suffering-for-beauty-the-beloved-curse-of-the-high-heeled-shoe/#comment-35301 shrili Tue, 05 Jul 2011 06:55:26 +0000 http://myseveralworlds.com/blog/2008/01/12/suffering-for-beauty-the-beloved-curse-of-the-high-heeled-shoe/#comment-35301 I think that there is a big difference between foot binding and hight heels. High heels are worn by women who want to. Unlike foot binding, the parents take no part in this. Most families try to stop their daughters from wearing high heels. (a bane for preteen girls :D) I think that there is a big difference between foot binding and hight heels. High heels are worn by women who want to. Unlike foot binding, the parents take no part in this. Most families try to stop their daughters from wearing high heels. (a bane for preteen girls :D )

]]> By: Trudy Meo http://www.myseveralworlds.com/2008/01/12/suffering-for-beauty-the-beloved-curse-of-the-high-heeled-shoe/#comment-14827 Trudy Meo Fri, 26 Nov 2010 01:00:26 +0000 http://myseveralworlds.com/blog/2008/01/12/suffering-for-beauty-the-beloved-curse-of-the-high-heeled-shoe/#comment-14827 When I see a woman in high heels, I just dismiss her as a stupid, just like when I see someone smoking cigarettes, once also thought to be "sexy." When I see a woman in high heels, I just dismiss her as a stupid, just like when I see someone smoking cigarettes, once also thought to be “sexy.”

]]> By: Vivian Lee http://www.myseveralworlds.com/2008/01/12/suffering-for-beauty-the-beloved-curse-of-the-high-heeled-shoe/#comment-11242 Vivian Lee Sat, 18 Sep 2010 22:53:39 +0000 http://myseveralworlds.com/blog/2008/01/12/suffering-for-beauty-the-beloved-curse-of-the-high-heeled-shoe/#comment-11242 I have always found high heels to be comfortable. I can walk, run, and once even climbed a small mountain in high heels. I always choose heels that have padded soles and are perfectly sized for me. Many people have problems because they do not "break" their new heels in, but take them out on the dance floor immediately. All shoes cause pressure points on the feet, and you need to accustom yourself before strenous or long term wear. I'm 50 and I still find high heels more comfortable than flats. I have always found high heels to be comfortable. I can walk, run, and once even
climbed a small mountain in high heels. I always choose heels that have padded
soles and are perfectly sized for me. Many people have problems because they
do not “break” their new heels in, but take them out on the dance floor immediately.
All shoes cause pressure points on the feet, and you need to accustom yourself before
strenous or long term wear. I’m 50 and I still find high heels more comfortable than flats.

]]> By: Steven Kage http://www.myseveralworlds.com/2008/01/12/suffering-for-beauty-the-beloved-curse-of-the-high-heeled-shoe/#comment-5983 Steven Kage Fri, 12 Jun 2009 04:00:01 +0000 http://myseveralworlds.com/blog/2008/01/12/suffering-for-beauty-the-beloved-curse-of-the-high-heeled-shoe/#comment-5983 Are you ready for the truth? Are you sure? OK, here it is. Shoes, all shoes, are the curse of Western "civilization". Why? You figure it out; I did! Kage Are you ready for the truth? Are you sure? OK, here it is. Shoes, all shoes, are the curse of Western “civilization”. Why? You figure it out; I did!

Kage

]]> By: Fred S - Foot Care Specialist http://www.myseveralworlds.com/2008/01/12/suffering-for-beauty-the-beloved-curse-of-the-high-heeled-shoe/#comment-4254 Fred S - Foot Care Specialist Wed, 26 Nov 2008 13:36:55 +0000 http://myseveralworlds.com/blog/2008/01/12/suffering-for-beauty-the-beloved-curse-of-the-high-heeled-shoe/#comment-4254 The truth is that human feet were not designed for high heels. Wearing high heels can change the structure and shape of the feet, which not only causes pain along the way, but may also inhibit proper functioning of feet over time. Women experience pain when they wear high heels because their feet slide forward into the shoes, inevitably forcing their bodies to redistribute their weight while creating unnatural pressure points and disrupting the natural alignment of our body. There are numerous foot ailments related to wearing high heels. Some of the most common ones are metatarsalgia (ball of foot pain), bunions, callous and corns, Achilles Tendonitis, hammertoe, and many others. Wearing orthotic insoles designed for high heels will probably relieve some of the discomfort. You can find more information on this topic under "Ball of Foot Pain" at http://www.footminders.com The truth is that human feet were not designed for high heels. Wearing high heels can change the structure and shape of the feet, which not only causes pain along the way, but may also inhibit proper functioning of feet over time.

Women experience pain when they wear high heels because their feet slide forward into the shoes, inevitably forcing their bodies to redistribute their weight while creating unnatural pressure points and disrupting the natural alignment of our body.

There are numerous foot ailments related to wearing high heels. Some of the most common ones are metatarsalgia (ball of foot pain), bunions, callous and corns, Achilles Tendonitis, hammertoe, and many others.

Wearing orthotic insoles designed for high heels will probably relieve some of the discomfort.

You can find more information on this topic under “Ball of Foot Pain” at http://www.footminders.com

]]> By: Alice http://www.myseveralworlds.com/2008/01/12/suffering-for-beauty-the-beloved-curse-of-the-high-heeled-shoe/#comment-4108 Alice Sun, 09 Nov 2008 19:39:16 +0000 http://myseveralworlds.com/blog/2008/01/12/suffering-for-beauty-the-beloved-curse-of-the-high-heeled-shoe/#comment-4108 hey this heel is too high I think for everyday wearing my feet hurt a lot if I wear something higher than 5-6 cm hey this heel is too high I think for everyday wearing
my feet hurt a lot if I wear something higher than 5-6 cm

]]> By: globetrotteri http://www.myseveralworlds.com/2008/01/12/suffering-for-beauty-the-beloved-curse-of-the-high-heeled-shoe/#comment-1218 globetrotteri Fri, 01 Feb 2008 16:57:48 +0000 http://myseveralworlds.com/blog/2008/01/12/suffering-for-beauty-the-beloved-curse-of-the-high-heeled-shoe/#comment-1218 Kim, Ouch! That sounds painful. My mom has foot problems too. I remember her wearing heels when I was a little girl...she had a fantastic pair of red pumps that I loved trotting around in. I can't remember the last time I saw her wear heels. I wish I had a desk job at times so I could show my shoes off, but I'm a teacher and I'm on my feet all day, so I have to be sensible and break out the 'lovelies' for special occasions only. ;-) Kim,

Ouch! That sounds painful. My mom has foot problems too. I remember her wearing heels when I was a little girl…she had a fantastic pair of red pumps that I loved trotting around in. I can’t remember the last time I saw her wear heels.

I wish I had a desk job at times so I could show my shoes off, but I’m a teacher and I’m on my feet all day, so I have to be sensible and break out the ‘lovelies’ for special occasions only. ;-)

]]> By: globetrotteri http://www.myseveralworlds.com/2008/01/12/suffering-for-beauty-the-beloved-curse-of-the-high-heeled-shoe/#comment-1216 globetrotteri Fri, 01 Feb 2008 16:55:18 +0000 http://myseveralworlds.com/blog/2008/01/12/suffering-for-beauty-the-beloved-curse-of-the-high-heeled-shoe/#comment-1216 Lallalydia, Just checked out your blog. Way to go. I love it! Thanks very much for your comments. Lallalydia,

Just checked out your blog. Way to go. I love it! Thanks very much for your comments.

]]> By: Jessica http://www.myseveralworlds.com/2008/01/12/suffering-for-beauty-the-beloved-curse-of-the-high-heeled-shoe/#comment-1215 Jessica Wed, 30 Jan 2008 15:41:03 +0000 http://myseveralworlds.com/blog/2008/01/12/suffering-for-beauty-the-beloved-curse-of-the-high-heeled-shoe/#comment-1215 I always wear heels, but they don't really bother me too much. All mine are 4" to 5.5". I always wear heels, but they don’t really bother me too much. All mine are 4″ to 5.5″.

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