PODIATRIST RECOMMENDS STRETCHING FOR HIGH HEEL WEARERS
posted: Aug. 25, 2016.
New York Podiatrist, Dr. Jaqueline Sutera states, "the average woman owns nine pairs of heels, according to a 2014 survey conducted by the American Podiatric Medical Association. But a full 71 percent admitted they hurt, making them the most common cause of female foot pain. Jacqueline Sutera, DPM, a podiatrist based in New York City recommends stretching as a way to mitigate some of the harmful results of wearing high heels. Each time you wear heels, Sutera suggests exercising feet before and after to re-elongate tendons and counteract the contracting and shortening that occur. Four to try: The Downward Dog yoga pose (hold for 15 seconds), runners' stretches (place outstretched hands on a wall in front of you at shoulder height and with back straight, keeping right foot straight behind a bent left leg), heel drops (while standing on a step, slowly lower a heel and use calf muscles to return to starting position), and massaging feet with a golf ball (15 seconds per foot for each). Finish up by icing calves, Achilles tendons, and the balls of the feet for 15 minutes each, on and off."