When wearing high heels how much pressure is put on the body?

Wearing high heels significantly increases pressure on the forefoot, potentially leading to metatarsalgia and bunions. The weight distribution shifts forward, placing increased stress on the balls of the feet and toes. This added pressure propagates upwards, impacting the ankles, knees, hips, and even the lower back, potentially causing pain and long-term joint problems. The exact amount of pressure increase varies depending on heel height, shoe design, and individual body mechanics, but it's consistently higher than when wearing flat shoes.

Wearing high heels significantly increases the pressure on various parts of the body compared to flat shoes. There's no single number to quantify this as it depends on factors like the heel height, the style of the shoe, the wearer's weight, and posture. However, studies have shown that:

• Increased pressure on the balls of the feet: The most obvious effect is a substantial increase in pressure on the metatarsal heads (the bones in the ball of the foot). This can be several times higher than when wearing flat shoes.
• Increased pressure on the forefoot: The entire forefoot bears more weight.
• Increased pressure on the knees: The shifted weight distribution forces the knees to hyperextend, placing extra stress on the knee joints and ligaments. This can lead to pain and potential long-term damage.
• Increased pressure on the hips and lower back: To compensate for the forward tilt of the body caused by high heels, the wearer often arches their back and shifts their hips forward. This puts increased pressure and strain on these areas, potentially leading to back pain and even problems with the spine.
• Increased pressure on the ankles: The ankle joint is also subjected to increased pressure and strain, making it more prone to sprains and injuries.

It's important to note that the exact pressure increase is difficult to measure precisely and varies greatly. While some studies use pressure sensors to measure forces, the overall impact is a combination of increased pressure on specific points and altered biomechanics across the entire body, increasing the risk of injury.