High heels heighten risk of back pain

JAKARTA (JP): Many women, especially working women, love to wear high-heeled shoes, which they hope will help increase their height, make their legs look longer and their bodies slimmer.

They are unaware that these shoes can cause health problems. Wearing high heels for an extended period may increase the risk of developing back pain, according to physicians.

Back pain is commonly found among working women who wear high heels during the long hours at work.

"The high heels force the lower back muscles to strain when she (the wearer) attempts to stand up straight and balance herself by putting the burden on the lower back muscles," said Siti Annisa Nuhonni of the Medical Rehabilitation Center at Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital, Jakarta.

Shoes with a heel height of between three centimeters and five centimeters are considered "safe" because they will not put too much of an extra burden on the lower back muscles.

Exercising and maintaining good posture that is more comfortable for the body's muscles is recommended.

Aside from high-heels fans, other people at risk include pregnant women and overweight people over the age of 35.

"People in this age group start losing their muscle flexibility and this could worsen the condition," Nuhonni said.

Back pain is a condition of prolonged muscle spasm due to bad posture, which can create a dull pain in the lower back, especially when making a movement after spending a period of time in a bad posture.

Nuhonni, a doctor with the Rehabilitation Medicine Division at the Dharmais Cancer Hospital in Jakarta, advised working women and people at high risk not to ignore the slightest ache or muscle soreness in their legs or lower back.

"Such a sensation is usually an early indication of muscle fatigue," she said.

It is advised that once a muscle spasm makes itself felt, the high heels should be kicked off to avoid intensifying the pain. Then stretch the particular muscle by exposing it to opposite movement.

Opposite movement can help relax the muscle and relieve the pain. This can be done every day for a total of 15 to 20 minutes, Nuhonni said.

People at high risk are advised to strengthen the lower back muscles by focusing on flexion movements, maintaining good body posture and shedding those extra kilograms.

As for pain relief, Nuhonni said paracetamol would soothe mild pain and for more serious conditions, doctors may prescribe other non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs.

Self-relief, which can be performed at home, includes massage, hot compresses applied to the painful area and rubbing the painful area with balm.

"They can also support their lower back with newspaper and secure it in place with a girdle while on the go for a few days. This support will help sufferers maintain their good posture, limit waist movement and avoid pain," she said.

However, if none of these suggestions work, consult a doctor for proper examination and treatment.

"This is important because pain in the lower back may be triggered by other health problems," Nuhonni warned. (lup)