STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

littlepearl · BCBG

question for you high heel wearing ladies

DC Shopper · Dooney & Bourke

To me, it definitely sounds like your pain is related to heels. The pain on the top of your foot might be from a ligament/tendon strain. Heels put a lot of pressure and strain on your feet, especially in that area where you say you are having pain, at the top of the ankle. I would switch to flats for the next week or so and ice the areas where you are having pain to reduce the inflammation. Ibuprofen will also help reduce swelling. I love heels, too, but have to be careful because I get the same foot problems you are describing. I don't know how high your heels are, but maybe try wearing kitten heels with plenty of toe room in the future.

Hermes

I wear a lot of high heels too and am not about to *bring myself down.* When I experience foot pain, I'll stay away from my really high heels for a week or two until the pain fades.

I also feel that regular massaging resulting in relaxing the foot muscles is imperitive to keep from forming a bunion or other footwear choice altering conditions. When you contort your foot into heels your muscles are adapting to that unnatural form, thus the pain. While nothing beats a strong thumb in the arch, I also use a fancy schmancy foot massager from Sharper Image that has rollers, shiatsu and vibration that works really well to relax the foot muscles (my calves tingle afterward too.) But I think you can effectively relax your foot muscles with a cheaper foot massager. Homedics has really good inexpensive home healthcare products. I have several of their products - including a heated bubbling foot bath which is good for relaxation too.

Here's the massager

http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/sr=2-3/qid=1112754257/ref=sr_2_3/602-1633358-3203038?%5Fencoding=UTF8&asin=B000067EVN

Homedics Shiatsu Foot Massager

Here's the foot bath

http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=84586&catid=59297&trx=PLST-0-SRCH&trxp1=59297&trxp2=84586&trxp3=1&trxp4=0&btrx=BUY-PLST-0-SRCH

Maven · BCBG

Stretch your calves. Start stretching--gentle stretching--morning and night. While you are at it, stretch your hamstrings. This is what ballet dancers do.

Stretch your toes. You can pull each toe forward, at right angles towards the foot. If you do yoga, sitting in vrasana with your toes curled forward instead of stretched out straight.

I have a problem with the longitudinal arch becoming flattened. I used to have pain on the tops of my feet, and I got terrible toe cramps, but since I have been doing these exercises, which were recommened by my podiatrist, my feet are much better. When I read your post I realized I haven't had top of the foot pain for a long time.

littlepearl · BCBG

Thanks so much for your replies. My problem is that I have only one pair of flats that are suitable for work. I need to invest in some more. Until I can get that foot massager I am going to try the foot and calf stretches. Speaking of toe cramps, I got the most horrendous pain last night in my fourth toe. It was a sudden pang and hurt so badly that I actually cried out.

Maven, how do you stretch your hamstrings?

-- Edited by littlepearl at 08:22, 2005-04-06

poptart · Coach

I know you don't want to hear this, but ... it sounds like you might have tendonitis.

I am a heel addict AND ballet is one of my hobbies, so I have recurring tendonitis in one of my feet and it is always from a shoe that doesn't fit right. Usually it's from pointe shoes for ballet, but I've gotten it from regular 'ole heels too. I'd pay a visit to your doctor for some extra-strength anti-inflammatories, massage tiger balm into your feet, and lay off the heels for at least two weeks. Sorry to be the bearer of possibly bad news.

erin · Chanel

i have weak tendons, and while i dont have the pains you are speaking of (moreso, my toes get blisters no matter what i wear, and i get very calloused at the balls of my feet), my doctor suggested a foot exercise to strengthen my tendons. put a towel on the floor and a small weight (2-3 lbs) on the towel. with your foot on the towel, try to grab the towel with your toes and move the weight closer to you. i used to do this a lot and it definitely strengthened my tendons. hth!

Meow · Coach

littlepearl, I am so happy you asked this question. I have the same problem occasionally. I have noticed that I have it when I wear a new pair of heels. I really don't have the problem with heels I have worn for awhile. The thing that worries me more than getting tendonitis is getting bunions. My mother has bunions and I have heard that it can be inherited. Also, I have read conflicting info about bunions. Some articles say that high heel shoes don't cause them, but can accelerate their formation if you are already having problems. Then, other articles say that high heels can cause them. I have just decided that I am going to start buying more cute round toe flats and intermix them with wearing heels. Also, I thought the info in some of the responses about foot massaging and exercises were good. I am going to try that myself.