giermin sahagun - englres paper.docx

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The negative effects of high heels on woman’s health.

A Research Paper

Presented to

Paolo Valdez

In partial Fulfillments

For the Course !"#R$

%rd $emester& $' ()*+%,)*+-

"iermin A/ . $ahagun




Thesis statement0

Although high heels is a ver1 fashiona2le article of clothing for the females& prolong use

can damage the 2lood vessels& the spinal column and the lower lim2s.

I. IntroductionII. 3amages in the 2lood vessels

i. Varicose veinsii. Constrict 2lood vessels

III. 3amages in the spinal columni. Poor posture pro2lemsii. 4ac5 pain

IV. 3amages in the lower lim2si. Foot pro2lem

a. Foot pain&2. 6aglund7s 3eformit1&c. 2unionsd. hammer toese. Cornsf. 8orton’s nueroma&g. pump 2umph. 8etatarsalgia

ii. #eg and 5nee pro2lema. Calf muscles&2. osteoarthritis&

c. stress fractures&d. Achilles tendone. Arthritis

V. Conclusion


$tilettos& wedges& pumps and platform heels& are onl1 a few t1pes of high

heels that women commonl1 wear nowada1s. According to Reill1()*+% An average



male own 9ust : pairs of shoes while an average woman own at least +; pairs of shoes&

in addition to that women at age %< to -< onl1 three percent of them own a pair of si=

inches heels while compare to women ages )< to %- around +*> of them own a pair of

si= inches heels 2ut the highest age group that own a pair of si= inches heels is ages +:

to )- roughl1 )*> of them own a pair of si= inches heels which means the people who

are 1ounger preferred wearing higher height of shoes.In addition around %;> to ?@> of

women around the world wear high heeled shoes dail1& 3ue to the 2elief that high heels

will show a more graceful curvature in their trun5s& so females are encouraging to wear

high heels in their wor5place ("B& et al.& )*+). 6igh heel shoes originated in ancient

g1pt due to the displa1 in the murals of their p1ramids that 2oth men and woman worn

high heeled shoe although some scholar 2elieves that the1 worn high heels for

ceremonial purposes 2ut in +<@*7s high heeled shoes re introducedwere introduced.

hile in +??*s high heels were made fashiona2le for men 21 #ouis DIV of France. 6e

wore high heels with tall wigs to create an illusion& to ma5e him loo5 to taller 2ecause he

is a diminutive man. In the +?th centur1& onl1 woman wore high heeled shoes called

Chopines& which is a 5ind of tall platform shoes. Although the freEuent miscarriages of

women due to the freEuent falls which causes the a rapid decrease in 2irth rate&

Chopines were outlawed in Venice 2ut up to +;;*s red high heels have 2een

fashiona2le 2ecause red high heels are onl1 worn 21 the ro1al court 2ecause during

that time red high heeled shoes s1m2olized power and status. ($teele& )**<. !ow

females all over the world preferred wearing high heels over wearing flat heels thus it

widel1 used in formal attire and other special occasions. 6igh heels are not onl1 as

considered as a modern da1 fashion& 2ut it is also made the wearer of high heels shoes



feel a lot more taller&empowered& se=ier& powerful& 9o1ful& se=uall1 independent& girl1&

attractive and passionate. (IE2ala& 3e2& 8ishrac& 8auli5c& Amd& )*+).Furthermore&

more than an1 other clothing& high,heeled shoes are perceived as the ultimate fashion

s1m2ol 2ecause high heels can change the posture and appearance of the wearer& thus

it ma5es a seductive $,shape& ma5ing the 2reast move forward and the 2ottom push

out. 6igh heels also ma5e the leg loo5 longer& slimming calves and an5les which helps

to create a se=1 wal5. ($teele& )**<. Although high heels is a ver1 fashiona2le article of

clothing for the females& prolong use can damage the 2lood vessels& the spinal column

and the lower lim2s.

Bne of the in9uries that high heels shoe can give to our 2od1 is the damage

in the 2lood vessels. To 2e precise& high heeled shoes can cause varicose veins in

2od1.As stated 21 4eltran ()*+% Garound %*> of females over at the age of eighteen

and +<> of the males over at the age of eighteen reported that the1 had have varicose

veins. GA varicose vein develops when normal veins have one,wa1 valves that allow

2lood to flow against the force of gravit1 2ac5 to the lungs for o=1genation. In normal

veins& flaps or GcuspsH serve as one, wa1 valves that serve as gates. This structure

opens to permit the flow of 2lood towards the heart the1 then close to prevent 2ac5flow

or reflu= of 2lood. due to the gravit1 2lood falls down and 2ac5flow occurs& this causes

accumulation of 2lood in that vein and leads to an increase in pressure& leading to vein

inflammation& resulting in venous h1pertension or high pressure in the veins due to

accumulation of 2lood in the said vein& causing altered shear stress& endothelial

damage& microcirculator1 and tissue damage and also due to stretching there is a



decreased in muscular support and thinned of vein walls and also due to malfunction of

the veins close properl1& there is a 2rea5ing down of the valve leaflets or cusps to fit

9ointl1 and loss of fle=i2ilit1 in the vein wall. In addition to that Veins then can increase

up to diameters a2ove +*mm& which leads to complications such as superficial

throm2ophle2itis& pigmentation& deep vein throm2osis& lipodermatosclerosis& ulceration&

and& in worst& hemorrhage from minor trauma and death. The s1mptoms of varicose

veins are aching heav1 legs& an5le swelling& appearance of spider veins around the

legs& cramps& and lastl1 the dr1ness& redness& and itchiness of the s5in. And high heel

shoe is one factor that can lead to developing or worsening varicose veins (4eltran&

)*+%. Bther damages that high heels can give the 2lood vessels are constrict 2lood

vessels. Ross ()*+- stated that some high heels are design to ma5e the foot loo5 long&

thin and elegant& however due to its unnatural s position of the foot the foot is forced to

sEueeze into the shape of the shoe& in resulting in the constriction of 2lood flow.

#a1man ()**- states that an average human 2od1 has < regions which are

cervical with ; verte2rae& then the thoracic region which compose of +) verte2rae and

then the lum2ar region which composed of < verte2rae and the sacral region which

composed of < verte2rae and last region in the spinal column is the cocc1geal which

onl1 compose of % verte2rae 2ut all in all there a total of %% 2ac5 verte2rae in an

average human 2od1 (pp )+* J )+<. 6igh heeled shoes can harm the spinal column.

To 2e precise& high heeled shoes can cause damage to the spinal column 21 causing

the 2od1 to have an unsta2le posture. Posture as defined 21 Pannell ()*+) is GThe

position in which we hold our 2odies while standing& sitting& or l1ing down.H "ood



posture is 2ac5ed 21 the right Euantit1 of muscle tension aligned with gravit1 to correct

alignment of the 2od1 parts. People would 2e simpl1 fall to the ground when people do

not get to posture and the muscles to control the 2od1. It also helps people stand& wal5&

sit and lie in positions that place the least strain on sustaining muscles and ligaments.

hen e=cessive strain on our postural muscles and ligaments held for a prolonged

period of time it causes the muscles of to rela= which it can develop to Poor

posture.8ost commonl1 factors contri2ute to poor posture are stressed& a2normall1 tight

muscles& o2esit1& pregnanc1& wea5 postural muscles& and high heeled shoes. 8an1

women are a2le to recognize that earing high heel shoes can cause defective posture

leading to have drastic effects on 1our musculos5eletal s1stem. Furthermore& several

deleterious effects can 2e caused 21 wearing high heels. As heel height increases when

the angle of lum2ar fle=ion angle decrease. Increase in the height of the center of 2od1

mass& adds compressive force in the lower lum2ar spine which creates a more

un2alanced posture and also as the erector spinal increase the a2normal posture

maintains. (#ee& /eong& Freivalds& )**+ and 2ased on the lateral results and posture

anal1sis in all t1pes and high heights of high heels of !orman& ise and

Blson()*+%when wearing high,heeled shoes there were nota2le differences in posture

with the change of heel height. There was a 2ac5ward shift of the head& shoulders and

hips& as well as the forward shift of the 5nees. !onetheless& there is no consistenc1 in

posture changes at the lower e=tremit1 of the 2od1. 6owever& in the AP results the head

shifts one inch to the right and 2oth hips and shoulders shifts one inch to the right while

the ri2cage shifted to the left at all heights of high heels. hen standing on high heels

the center of gravit1 shifts forward& also wearing high heel shoes ma5es ad9ustments.



There is a +* degrees forward tilt in the 2od1 when wearing one inch heel and also high

heeled shoes ma5es postural ad9ustments from the toes up to the spine& furthermore

when wearing high heels the wearer have to toppled and fall forward in order to gain

2alance. 2ut more woman wears three inches high heels due to the fact it is the more

popular and much ideal heel high height however wearing three inches high heels the

pelvis is tilted forward 21 +* to +< degrees that causes curve in the spine and the

2uttoc5s and 2reast lifted 21 )<> more than the natural height of 2reast and 2uttoc5s.

(% Top 6armful ffects Bf earing 6igh heels& n.d.Bther damages that high heel shoes

that can give the spinal column are the lower 2ac5 pain. Around <:> of )** women in

their earl1 mid,twenties who wore high heeled shoes regularl1 over the 1ear e=perience

lower 2ac5 pain and <<> of them stated that at the range of ?,@cm& the1 felt

inconvenienced. (#ee& /eong& Freivalds& )**+ and According to Tai ()*+) a normal

spine shape is an K$K shape spine that reduces stress on the 2ac52one 2ecause the

spine acts as the shoc5 a2sor2er. As woman wear high heels& the lower 2ac5 is flatted&

thus If the spine is not aligning& it causes 2ac5 pain and overused 2ac5 muscles. 6igh

heels raise the pressure of the forefoot 2ecause high heels put the position of the foot

pointing downwards. The other parts of the 2od1 must ad9ust in order to remain

2alance.The upper parts of the 2od1 must move 2ac5ward and the lower parts of the

2od1 must move forward. These positions causing the ris5 of developing #ower 2ac5

disorder. (IE2ala& 3e2& 8ishrac& 8auli5c& Amd& )*+).

#a1man ()**- states thatK the human endos5eleton consists of a2out )*? total

2ones in the adult. There are ) 2ones in lower appendages& : leg 2ones& +- an5le



2ones& %: feet 2ones and ?) 2ones in 2oth lower lim2s.H(pp )+*,)+<. 6igh heeled

shoes can give in9uries to women’s 2od1 especiall1 in the lower lim2s of the 2od1. The

damages that high heel shoes can give to the lower lim2s are foot and leg pro2lems.

Furthermore some of the foot pro2lem that is caused 21 wearing high heeled shoes are

foot pain& 6aglund7s 3eformit1& 2unions& hammer toes& Corns& 8orton’s nueroma& pump

2ump and 8etatarsalgia. In addition to that some of the damages that high heel shoes

can do women’s health cause a lifelong pain and in9ur1 and sometimes surger1. Foot

pain is the most common and freEuent damage that high heeled shoes can give in our

lower lim2s. Foot pain occurs when ever a woman wears high heels & due to the

changes in gait pattern& a pressure increase on forefoot and a pressure decrease on the

middle foot. it can causes an increasing discomfort to the foot which contri2utes to the

pain the foot ("uo& et al.& )*+). Another foot pro2lem that can 2e cause 21 wearing

high heel shoes is 6aglund7s 3eformit1. There is an increase of having 6aglund7s

3eformit1 when wearing high heels& due to the downward position of the foot when

wearing high heels. 6aglund is a condition there is an increase 2one size in the heel

causing the foot to 2e in pain and causing the foot to inflame due to the fluid that

cushions 2etween the 2ones. Another foot pro2lem that can 2e cause 21 wearing high

heel shoes is 2unions. 4unions are descri2e as& when 1our 2ig toe points towards 1our

second toe. The cause of 2unions is an increase of amount of pressure happening to

the foot when wearing high highs. Another foot pro2lem that can 2e cause 21 wearing

high heel shoes is hammer toes. 6ammer toes is descri2e as when toes are

permanentl1 2ent and there are tumors in the never tissue in which it is caused 21 an

increase of pressure in foot. (Tai& )*+) .Another foot pro2lem that can 2e cause 21



wearing high heel shoes is corns corns are caused 21 repeated friction against a high

heel shoe which ma5es the s5in of the feet thic5. Another foot pro2lem that can 2e

cause 21 wearing high heel shoes is 8orton’s neuroma& which is causes tissue around

the area to thic5en which cause pain and num2ness in the nerves in the mid,foot. In

order to relieve the s1mptoms one must remove the tissue 21 means of surger1.

Another foot pro2lem that can 2e cause 21 wearing high heel shoes is Pump 2ump& in

which it caused 21 constant pressure and friction of rigid 2ac5s and straps from high

heels and as the result a 2on1 growth that occurs on the heel and to remove e=cess

2one one must undergo surger1 in order to relieve the pain. And the last foot pro2lem

that can 2e cause 21 wearing high heel shoes metatarsalgia. 8etatarsalgia is caused 21

a repeated pressure on the metatarsal 2ones as a result& the user will pain and

inflammation in the 2alls of the foot. (Innes &)*+) Although high heeled shoes can

ma5e legs loo5 long and se=1 however high heel shoes can cause serious pro2lem to

causes the wearer of the heels to have difficult1 in wal5ing and one of the damages that

high heel shoes can give to the lower lim2s is leg pro2lems. In addition to that some of

the leg pro2lem that is caused 21 wearing high heeled are Calf muscles& osteoarthritis&

Achilles tendon& stress fractures& and arthritis.Bne of the damage that high heeled

shoes can ma5e in the leg muscles is calf muscles& which ma5es the leg muscles tight

and painful which is caused 21 the shortening of $olus and "astrocnemius muscles .

Another damage that high heeled shoes can ma5e in the leg muscles is osteoarthritis

due to the fact high heel shoes increases the pressure the 9oints of the 5nee 21 )?>.

(Innes &)*+) Another damage that high heeled shoes can ma5e in the leg muscles is

the Achilles tendon which is one of the long term effects of high heels. It is caused 21 a

http://www.symptomfind.com/diseases-conditions/osteoarthritis/

http://www.symptomfind.com/diseases-conditions/osteoarthritis/



chemical im2alance 2etween the front and 2ac5 leg muscles thus it is 4rea5ing down

the arches .and 2ecause of that 2ecause of that& the wearer of the heels cannot heel

down whenever there is a tightening or inflammation of leg muscles. (Loerting& )*++

Another damage that high heeled shoes can ma5e in the leg muscles is stress

fractures& which are microscopic tears in the muscles awa1 from the 2one. There is a

dramatic effect on the 5nee 9oints when wearing high heels& due to the fact that when

wearing a two inches high heeled shoes& there is a )%> increase on the load of the

5nee and there is a forward distri2ution of the 2od1 weight and also compared when

standing in 2arefoot& the 2od1 weight is distri2uted evenl1 2etween the front and 2ac5

portion of the 5nee unli5e wearing high heels the 2od1 weight is not distri2uted properl1

in the 5nee. And the last damage that high heeled shoes can ma5e in the leg muscles is

arthritis. 6igh heel shoes is one of the ma9or causes of having a degenerative arthritis in

the 5nees especiall1 when a person wears high heels for a prolong period of time

2ecause the greater the impact is on the 5nee and other 9oints as 1ou wear higher

height of heel. In addition to that more women suffer from 5nee arthritis as it compared

to men. (% Top 6armful ffects Bf earing 6igh heels& n.d

All in all women that wear high heel shoes feel a lot more taller&

empowered& se=ier& powerful& 9o1ful& se=uall1 independent& girl1& attractive and

passionate as the1 wear higher high heel shoes& however high heeled shoes can

produce wea5 and disa2led woman for the reason that high heeled shoes can cause

pro2lems in woman’s health especiall1 in 2lood vessels& in the spinal column and in the

lower lim2s of the 2od1. The in9uries that high heel shoes can 2e cause in the 2lood



vessels are varicose veins and constricting 2lood vessels 2ecause when wearing high

heels shoes& the foot is caused to 2e in its unnatural position& in which the foot is forced

to sEueeze into the shape of the shoe& as the resulting in the constriction of 2lood flow.

Bther in9uries that high heel shoes can 2e caused in woman’s health can 2e found in

the spinal column. henever a woman wear high heel shoes the damages that can

happen in the spinal column are lower 2ac5 pain and poor posture for the reason that

high heels increases then the angle of lum2ar fle=ion angle decrease. Increase in the

height of the center of 2od1 mass& adds compressive force in the lower lum2ar spine

which creates a more unsta2le posture and adds pressure to the lower 2ac5 causing the

2od1 to have a 2ac5 pain. And lastl1 high heeled shoes can cause in9ur1 in the lower

lim2s of the 2od1. henever a woman wears high heel shoes the damages that can

happen in the lower lim2s of the 2od1 are foot pro2lems and leg pro2lems. $ome of the

foot pro2lem that is caused 21 wearing high heeled shoes are foot pain& 6aglund7s

3eformit1& 2unions& hammer toes& Corns& 8orton’s neuroma& pump 2ump and

8etatarsalgia. hile some of the leg and 5nee damages that can 2e caused 21 wearing

high heel shoes are Calf muscles& osteoarthritis& stress fractures& Achilles tendon and

arthritis. There are a lot of negative effects on given to women’s 2od1 whenever the1

wear high heel shoes 2ut still a lot of women around the world still continue to

patronage high heels since high heels shoes reall1 ma5es woman attractive and feel

empowered 2ut as much as possi2le do not wear high heels to prevent all the possi2le

accidents and in9uries that high heels ma1 cause in the 2od1& 2ut if wearing high heels

cannot 2e avoided& as much as possi2le lower the height of heels pro2a2l1 M an inch at

least or wear the most comforta2le high heels that 1ou have or limit the usage of



wearing high heeled shoes &ma12e 9ust use high heels at least once or twice a wee5 2ut

2etter 1et do not wear high heels if not needed too 2ecause there are other fashiona2le

and 1et comforta2le shoes such as sandals& flats or snic5ers& however if in school or in

the wor5 place or wherever is reEuired to wear high heel shoes all the time then remove

high heels once in a while to rest the feet . 3espite of the fact high heels are a ver1

fashiona2le article of clothing and it also gives positive ps1chological effects on woman

whenever the1 wear high heel shoes however prolonged use of high heels can damage

the 2lood vessels& the spinal column and the lower lim2s of our 2odies.

\

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