High heels may give you the sleek look you like but your feet won't be cheering

I KNOW, THE temptation is often too hard to resist. Especially during the holiday season, with all the parties and get-togethers, we want to dress to impress by putting our best foot forward - in high heels.
After all, heels instantly shave pounds, add height, make legs look good and accentuate curves. If you ask me, Manolo Blahnick, Giuseppe Zanotti, and Gianmarco Lorenzi (my personal favorite) are wearable pieces of art. I mean, what woman doesn't love a fabulous shoe?
I know I do. In fact, I'll just go on and admit that three of my vices are shoes, handbags and chocolate truffles. There, I've said it out loud.
Oh, my aching feet
And that's not all. Besides the pain, high-heeled shoes can cause serious damage to your feet. Few women who love spike heels stop to consider that, or more significantly, the importance of podiatric health.
Foot anatomy
Podiatric care is essential to your overall health.
The human foot is comprised of 28 bones that support and balance the body's weight. Whether we stand, play, run or walk, our feet work for us the entire day. They contribute significantly to our health and fitness.
Even without high heels, feet take a lot of abuse. Did you know that your feet bear about 200,000 pounds of stress for each mile you walk? If you're 50 years old your feet have carried you about 75,000 miles.
Feet are made for walking
Unfortunately, feet aren't made for heels. Are you underestimating the damage your high heels can cause? According to the American Podiatric Medical Association, high heels are "biomechanically and orthopedically unsound." Furthermore, they can cause:
• Knee and back problems.
• Disabling injuries and falls.
• Shortened calf muscles.
• An unnatural gait.
When you wear heels, the thigh muscles are forced to work harder, putting extra strain on the knee joint and the tendon that runs from the kneecap to the thighbone.
High heels increase the pressure on the inside of the knee by 26 percent, compared to walking barefoot. Over time, this can lead to osteoarthritis.
Cosmetic foot surgery
If that weren't enough, in the name of fashion, some women are undergoing dangerous foot cosmetic surgery.
They are having their feet padded with collagen or narrowed, and their toes surgically shorted to fit into their favorite heels. It is unknown how many women have undergone these procedures, but the American Orthopedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) warns that "the risks in such surgery can far outweigh the benefits."
Keep your feet on the ground
When it comes to fashion, common sense is unlikely to prevail. Therefore, I encourage you to be sweet to your feet. If you must wear heels, wait until the last possible minute to put them on, minimize standing and do less dancing.
On the other hand, do get foot messages and pedicures. Most days, wear sensible shoes and sneakers that give proper support. Take good care of your feet - they belong to you. *