To many women, heels are a staple of their wardrobe. But while they may look amazing, wearing them too often can result in foot pain. Foot pain is an early sign that something is wrong, so if it continues after a period of self-help, you should see a podiatrist. It may also help you to learn about some ways to reduce it.

Taking a Break from Heels

Your heels shift your body weight forward with every step you take. This means that your toes are taking responsibility for balancing that weight. Over time, if shifting your weight forward affects the muscles there, the surrounding tendons and muscles will begin to carry extra duties and can hurt. If you're a regular heel wearer, taking a break is one of the kindest things you can do for your feet. By taking a break, you can reduce your risk of conditions such as bunions and hammertoe.

Yoga for Your Feet

Sometimes the muscles and tendons in your feet tighten to the point that they cause pain. When you wear heels, you're distributing more weight to some areas of your feet than others. As a result, the affected muscles and tendons tighten, causing them to hurt when you walk. Yoga poses such as the tree pose or performing a cat-cow with your toes pressed into the ground can stretch the muscles in your feet. When you incorporate these moves into your daily routine, they'll stretch the muscles that your heels impact and reduce your pain.

Shockwave Therapy

Shockwave treatment is a form of therapy for foot pain that more podiatrists are starting to offer. Using a handheld device, your podiatrist will apply shockwaves to areas throughout your feet. This can stimulate some of the nerve fibres that are responsible for sending pain signals, which in turn means they're not as active. It's also a useful way to increase blood circulation, which then results in faster healing processes. How many sessions you require depends on what is causing your foot pain. In order for the therapy to be effective, it's also wise to address the root cause: wearing heels too often.

With a full assessment from a podiatrist, you can identify whether heels are an issue, how to support your feet, and what your options are for reducing the pain. Before trying self-help measures such as medications, make sure the type you're using is compatible with the form of pain you're experiencing.