The main characteristic of high heels shoes is that they elevate the wearer’s heels higher than the toes at a rather significant height. Today’s high heeled footwear includes wedges, stilettos, spools, prisms, cones, and grounds. It is a common misconception that high heels are only for women. The truth is that there is evidence even from several centuries back that even men wore shoes of this style.
Origins
Nobody really knows when and where mankind started to put on high heels shoes. However, we know that they have been around for centuries. Murals in Egypt that date back to 3500 B.C. often depict a type of high heels. It is often a symbol worn by the higher classes. Both men and women are known to have worn a type of high heels during the Middle Ages.
Types of High Heels Shoes
As stated earlier, high heels still prevail in today’s modern society. They are worn for a variety of occasions and different styles prevail among those who sport them. A stiletto is characterized by a tall slim heel that usually has a minimum height of at least a couple of inches. Its pointed bottom that touches the ground is usually no more than 0.4”.
On the other hand, a cone is a type of heel where the point that is in contact with the floor is narrower than the end that attaches to the sole. A cone’s heel is noticeably round in shape. A kitten is a type of heel that pretty much looks like a stiletto only that it is usually shorter than two inches.
Prisms are heels that have three sides that basically form a triangle where it meets the floor. A wedge on the other hand is a type of high heels that occupies the space underneath the heel and arch sections of the sole. Lastly, a spool is a type of heel where it is broader on the side that connects to the sole and narrower where it meets the floor, but its midpoint is noticeably narrower than the two ends.
Health Issues
People report a lot of problems that result from wearing high heels shoes. Some of the reported problems are minor while others are so severe that they will require medical treatment. The most commonly reported problem is blistering of the feet. Blistering is the result of the shoes rubbing with the feet in the wrong way. This condition is reduced by simply wearing properly fitted high heels.
Other reported issues with high heels include back problems, Neuroma, joint pain, pump bumps, sprained, twisted, or even broken ankles, and stress fractures. Given these reported problems medical experts suggest that high heels should be worn occasionally or only when you really have to wear them. You may wear them for work but make sure to switch to a more comfortable and supportive pair after working hours.
Purchasing Recommendations
Given the said reported problems with the feet and tendons, it is recommended that you purchase high heels shoes that fit your feet properly. It is also recommended that you get heels that have ample room in their toe box. Following these recommendations will help you avoid a lot of the reported problems caused by the use of high heels. Other than these, you should consider the brand, style, and price of the heels you intend to buy.