Over long periods of time, the muscles in the back of the legs actually shorten, he says. When they take off their shoes, these women walk on their toes because they can't physically get them down. Tremendous pressure is exerted on the ball of the foot, adds Naftolin, a founding member of The Scholl Institute. Toes are squeezed, especially in pointed shoes, causing blisters, corns and calluses. Pre-existing bunions can be aggravated.
High heels are great for business.
On a more serious note, Naftolin says foot-care specialists aren't telling women to throw away their stacked heels, just wear them in moderation. Chelin agrees, urging women to vary footwear. Move it up and down rather than stick to one height. Some patients have shown me six-inch heels. That's not a high heel, it's an elevator ride.