modern day footbinding
by dr. emily muscarella

“Give a girl a comfortable pair of shoes and she can conquer the world” –Bette Midler

Foot binding was a common practice in China between 950 -1912 AD; a tradition in which women’s feet were wrapped in cloth so tightly that their feet would not grow anymore. As a result, young girls grew into women whose tiny feet measured between 3-5 inches. This extremely painful process in which the toes are often broken and wrapped beneath the feet symbolized social status as well as social control over women whose useless feet left them dependent upon their male counterparts. Their smaller, unsteady steps were considered feminine but nonetheless, this practice not only debilitated a woman’s body, but also her spirit.

Foot binding is not such a distant reality. Women today are still cramming their feet into shoes that are too narrow, too pointed and shoes with heels too high all in the name of beauty and style. In fact, most women admit that high heels make their feet hurt but tolerate the pain in order to look taller or more chic—confirming once again the idea we are willing to maim our bodies in order to meet social norms.

But perhaps we are underestimating the price of beauty. Common sense tells us that high heels are not the most supportive footwear out there but research proves that wearing high heels gives rise to an entire grocery list of problems. From severe sprains and breaks due to rolling over on high heel shoes (remember the first time you ever put a pair on? Scary…) to a host of structural problems including neuromas, hammertoes, bunions, calluses, arthritis, knee pain, and low back pain associated with “swayback”. Not so pretty is it?

Now, I can appreciate a nice pair of spikes as much as the next gal but let’s take a look at what we are doing to our bodies in trying to attain those longer, slimmer calves. In actuality, we are shortening them, the muscle that is, a condition that may lead to Achilles tendonitis and permanent shortening of the calf muscles. Slipping your foot into that elegant stiletto shifts your weight off your center of gravity onto the balls of your feet. This increased stress may result in metatarsalgia, or pain in the ball of the foot, or worse, Morton’s neuroma, a painful thickening of the nerve, usually between the 3rd and 4th toe. Due to the slope of the shoe our toes are now crammed into the narrow or pointed toe box which may result in bunions or hammertoes (a condition where the toes curl). When we walk in heels, rotation of the great toe is limited which, in turn, puts stress upon the knee. Women wear high heels anywhere from 1 to 8 hours a day—that kind of wear and tear is what causes the cartilage in the knee to disintegrate and create an arthritic situation. It also forces the low back into a position known as “swayback” or “hyperlordosis”, a condition where there is too much curve in the lumbar spine.

As your spine adapts to the shift in weight your muscles have to work harder to keep you standing upright. The muscles that support your spine are strained and this is why your back may be sore after a night of dancing in heels. As a chiropractor, I understand the importance of maintaining the integrity of the curves in your spine. When your spinal curves are intact, you can manage the force of gravity beautifully. Too much or too little curve sets the stage for abnormal posture and spinal instability. Posture is important because poor posture leads to faulty body mechanics. The spine, with its 24 bones and shock absorbing discs was designed for strength, flexibility and protection of the delicate spinal cord. Your spine is like a wave; an increase in the curve of the lower spine creates change in the curves in the mid back and in the neck. This puts abnormal stress on the spinal cord compromising its ability to function efficiently. And remember what your spinal cord and nerve system control…virtually everything from your immune system to your sense of balance and ability to concentrate. Dysfunction at the level of your spine and nerve system compromises your ability to be healthy and well. Which are you more willing to compromise, your health or your sense of style?
All of this being said, if you simply cannot hang up your heels, do yourself a favor and opt for lower, wider heels, take “heel breaks” and stretch your calf muscles and hamstrings—give your feet some love, they do so much for you! (Your little piggies will thank you!)

Dr. Emily Muscarella, a family chiropractor at Fairview Chiropractic Center cares for infants through elders and offers the community an opportunity for improved quality of life and enhanced health through a specialized system of analysis and chiropractic adjustments. [828.628.7800]