That’s the start of the now popular Caribbean Airlines song. I know it is going to be Pandemonium, this is de place to go. So you dress up nice, go to de fete, drink, dance, have a time, and then it’s trouble in the morning; when your feet start to hurt, after a night of bad shoes, jumping, winning and misbehaving.

Making shoes for feteing less painful

When your feet hurt, it shows in your face, not a good look on a big night out. And it comes on quickly. According to a College of Podiatry survey – just one hour, six minutes and 48 seconds after putting on ill-fitting heels.

As well as short-term discomfort, there are longer-term effects. Heels put your weight onto the ball of the foot, which can cause pain, calluses, bunions and corns. Your body is also tilted forward, which increases back strain, and calf muscles can become shorter and extremely tight.

If you love heels for their confidence-boosting, leg-lengthening properties, it’s possible to minimise discomfort; but how?

Buying new shoes?

Spotted a pair of killer heels? Try them on in the afternoon, when your feet are largest, and wear tights, not thick socks. They may feel a little tight, but shouldn’t be really uncomfortable. Don’t wear anything that causes you pain!

How about lower, block heels? The lower, chunky heel offers a wider, weight-bearing surface area for your heel, which allows body weight to be more evenly (and comfortably) distributed. Wedge heels provide the same, more evenly distributed support.

Get the heel height right

Sit down, lift your leg, with your foot relaxed. Place the ball of your foot gently on the floor, without changing the angle of the foot at the ankle. The gap between the floor, and the underside of your heel, is your optimum heel height.

How long is too long?

The advice from the Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists, is to wear heels for no more than eight hours at a time. Also, there are tips on how to walk: slow down and take smaller steps; and put your heel down first and glide. Not only will this minimise damage to your feet, it will give you that sexy wiggle! The length of time a person can wear a heel depends on the individual.  A good rule of thumb, is not to wear any shoe for more than an hour, after your feet start to hurt. Once your feet start to hurt, that’s an indicator that you need to be off them. Additionally, it is a sign that the particular footwear isn’t best suited for you.

After the Fete

And for the journey home, carry flat shoes. As a lecturer in Podiatry explained:

“This is a tip that my daughters taught me. They carry a pair of flats on a night out, which they change into when coming home. Slip into the flats, pop your heels in your bag and breathe a sigh of relief!” If your bag is on the small side, how about fold-up shoes?

Once you’ve finally kicked off your shoes, ask yourself:  is the pain in your toes, or the arch of your foot? Try these easy exercises to ease tension in both:

1. Relieve stiff toes by placing one foot on the opposite knee; slide your fingers between each of your toes; and place the thumb on the ball of the big toe. Gently flex the toes downwards, whilst applying gentle upward pressure, through the base of the big toe.
2. Relieve tightness in the arch of the foot, by cupping and grasping your heel firmly with one hand; with the other hand, take the big toe between your thumb, and first two fingers. Gently stretch them away from one another, in a lengthening motion; with the stretch applied, rotate your toe back and forth.

Whether your feet are hot and puffy from the fete, or dehydrated and cracked, try pampering them. Treat your feet to a pampering foot soak and massage, then cream them generously after. Use peppermint oil as well, to revive and rejuvenate, even the most partied-out feet. Then do it all again tomorrow.

 

 

Your feet mirror your general health . . . cherish them!