For all of us businesswomen suffering through the pain of high heels- there’s a must read article in PINK Magazine’s Lifestyle section on how one woman deals with the pain of her ‘killer stilettos’.  Lisa Earle McLeod is a self-named 5-foot-4 slightly frumpy mother that sacrifices pain for beauty with her 3-inch purple python power pumps.

Unfortunately for us, looking good comes at the price of pain.

“Vanity, vanity. We may have come a long way, baby, but for many of us fashionistas, high heels are the new corsets. What our grandmothers’ generation did to their innards, we’re doing to our feet – pushing and squeezing them into a shape nature never intended so we can look more feminine and sexy….read Lisa’s entire article on PINK Magazine’s website

Too good not to share! Lisa’s 5 Tips for Avoiding The Stiletto Syndrome

1. DON’T OVERINDULGE. If you insist on going over 3 inches, don’t wear them for more than a few hours at a time or more than a few days in a row.

2. CREATE A SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT. Podiatrist Jaquelina Sutera recommends a stable heel that holds your own heel firmly in place and, if possible, an ankle strap.

3. SOFTEN THE SLAM. Padded shoe inserts like Dr. Scholl’s Sole Expressions reduce the pressure on the ball of your foot and your heel, thereby reducing strain.

4. PREVENT HANGOVERS. After a day in heels, you should stretch out your Achilles tendon. Five quick minutes of stretching will keep it from tightening over time.

5. SEEK PROFESSIONAL HELP. Most women don’t see a podiatrist until they’re already in pain. If you’re a frequent heel user, have a professional monitor your condition.

In Katie’s case, yes.  Like many women, Katie wears high heels 4-5 days a week to work because they are the perfect accessory to her outfit.  Even though she sits at her computer most of the day, Katie is beginning to feel constant pain in her low back and by the end of the day, the balls of her feet are throbbing.

In many cases, causes of low back pain have been blamed on the awkward shape of your foot when placed in high heels.  See what the experts at Foot Solutions say when it comes to wearing high heels on a daily basis, and why developing pain from high heels is more prevalent today.

Ladies, what do we really want when wearing stilettos?

Less Pain!

Is it possible? Fashion editor of MahoganyButterfly.com recently sat with Foot Solutions Franchise Owner Laurie Sullivan to set the record straight once and for all.  (Laurie is a certified Pedorthist and owner of Foot Solutions Annapolis, MD – Bethesda, MD -Alexandria, VA and Washington D.C)

So, What can a fashionista do to combat the common foot problems associated with wearing High Heels?

“A pedorthist can be a girl’s best friend when it comes to making high heels fit well and feel good by using devices to help align the foot and redistribute pressure” explains Laurie.

When most women try shoes on, the heel may slip and they go down a half size to stop the slipping. You have to understand that high heels are always going to create a fitting challenge, because your feet are resting on a slope. Unless they are fitted properly, you will always slide down into the toe of the shoe.

A pedorthist can help you get the proper room the foot needs and stop the slipping without cramming the foot into a shoe that is too small. Corns and calluses are always the result of a poor fit. Using arch supports and ball of foot cushions can ensure that your foot is sitting straight inside the shoe and that pressure is more evenly distributed across the entire foot.

See what products MahoganyButterfly.com tested…. and if they worked.  Read the full story here.