Saturday, June 4, 2016

"Satan's Shoes"


... as described by Jennifer Lawrence in USA TODAY

I have arthritis!
Originally diagnosed as 'degenerative osteo-arthritis', it was first noticed several years ago when playing my regular 9-hole golf game on Tuesday mornings. Friends commented that I was limping. Shortly thereafter, my left knee pain ensued. I began medicating with the advertised herbal pill remedies...name them...I tried them all over a couple years without relieving the arthritic pain. I then consulted a recommended physio-massage-therapist. Bohdi Haraldsson (Icelandic) who was an instructor at the local therapy college, and had his own practice, treated me weekly. Also a specialist in acupuncture, he administered this treatment with little or no success. His advice to me was, “Discard your high heels today!” He further stated, “Women love them....but arthritis is no friend to them!”
Arthritis could be caused from 'wear and tear' on the joints.
Recreational sports were my forte ! Skiing, summer and winter tennis,
dancing a couple times a week, golf.
Could also be caused from constant standing and walking in high heeled shoes. Bohdi's diagnosis was correct. He recommended I take water-therapy a couple times per week. It was very relaxing for a few hours...then the former pain would again return. The therapist loaned me a magnetic mattress upon which to sleep; in addition I wore an ankle bracelet...to no avail. X-rays and specialists indicated arthritis was attacking other body areas: right knee, hips and back. Surgery was not an option...their best advice was 'learn to cope' with it. I could have worse diseases! So now, Tylenol taken daily is my relief...and I walk with a butterfly-decor cane...frequently using a 'walker' when carrying items.
I comment here that I never wore high heels constantly...
usually a half-day in the classroom or on real estate appointments
then resorted to 'flats' remainder of the day.

A Red-Carpet Must for A-Listers and Most Actresses
Where Fashion Trumps Comfort
(Excerpts from an article by Donna Freydkin)

Flat shoes BANNED from Cannes Red Carpet
after organizers insist all women wear high heels.
Regardless of age or medical condition,
all women must wear heels to screenings.”

Somehow, while promoting her thriller, 'Sicario' at Cannes Film Festival, Emily Blunt became the saviour of soles. “Everyone should wear flats, to be honest. We shouldn't be wearing high heels any more,” she said at a news conference after reports that women were turned away from a gala premiere because they weren't in heels. “That's my point of view. I just prefer wearing Converse sneakers.”

Jaime Maser, a New York-based public relations guru who has handled many glitzy red-carpet galas stated, “While I wish it came down to comfort, there are certain situations where style comes first ~ and when you're a celeb, one of those situations are red carpets. It's part of the job...to dress the part.”

Most women do opt for heels because it makes them feel 'dressed'...elongates the legs and pulls the look all together, but they are not for everyone. At the end of the day, it depends on the look and how you feel. The dress will speak to you. But, no trickery can compensate for comfort. For many women, it's a mindset. “Heels are instant power and confidence,” says Aliza Licht, longtime fashion publicist.

The author examples several actresses with quotes about pros & cons of 'high heels'.

The Physical Truth about Wearing High Heels

True 'perfect pumps' can create the perfect storm for permanent health problems.
If you frequently wear high heels, you are setting yourself up for long-term issues.
Extended wear of high heels and continually bending your toes into an unnatural position can cause a range of ailments ~ from ingrown toenails to irreversible damage to leg tendons. Also, cramming your toes into a narrow toe-box can cause nerve damage and bunions,” says Dr. Nevins. “High heels are further linked to overworked or injured leg muscles, osteoarthritis of the knee(s) and low back pain.”
In addition, Plantar Fascilitis can develop: a foot injury...whereby walking (even a short distance) is excruciating!

Dr. Nevins states, “When you wear shoes with a heel 2 inches or higher, your foot slides forward in your shoe, forcing the toes into the unnatural shape of the shoe and redistributing your weight incorrectly ~ causing your body to tilt forward...and to compensate, you lean backwards and over-arch your back ~ creating a posture that can strain your knees, hips and lower back.
To change this position of your spine puts pressure on the nerves in the back
and can cause 'sciatica'...a condition where nerves
become trapped, trigger pain and numbness as far down as the feet.

Recommendations to Avoid These Problems:
Choose sensible heels (1 ½ inches or less) with a wide heel base (spreading the load more easily).
Narrow stiletto-type heels provide little support; 3 inches or higher may shorten the Achilles tendon.

Wear soft insoles to reduce the impact on your knees.

Ensure your shoes are the right size, so the foot doesn't slide forward. Select a shoe with a wide enough toe-box to allow you to wiggle your toes.

Wear heels only on days that require limited walking or standing.

Alternate your shoe choice throughout the day...or from one day to the next.

Stretch...take time every day to stretch calf muscles and feet. Dr. Nevins recommends standing on the edge of a step with your shoes off; with the weight on the balls of your feet and your heels extending off the edge, drop your heels down to stretch. You can also put a pencil down on the floor...and try to pick it up with your toes.
Your feet are your base of support.
If your feet aren't happy ~ nothing above them will be!

Merle Baird-Kerr...written May 24, 2015
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