Why do people associate bunions with high heels?

[Firefox]

In truth, bunions have nothing to do with high heels. They can be generally hereditary or usually caused by footwear that is too pointed. There seems to be some myth that high heels cause bunions, probably perpetuated by bunion fetishists or coming from the time when many heeled styles were also very pointed in the late 50's and early 60's. Whatever the reason, it's pretty boring to keep on hearing this. Give well fitting heels a break! <font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Firefox on 2002-01-12 16:43 ]</font>

[Debbie(HK)]

Totally agree Firefox, all this bunion stuff and heels is just too much sometimes. As you say, get well fitting shoes. I bet people get bunions from 'comfy loafers' too if they aren't the right size! Debbie

[Francis]

Some people have got bunions from slippers! Work that one out! Others can get them simply from the way their foot meets the floor. There is far too much hype from the specialists and so-called experts that it's caused by ill fitting footwear. If this was so then why did I not get them during my foot training when I was 4! My feet were cramped and trussed in what would be bad fitting shoes for two years until my arches had raised. No bunions for me! Half of these 'knowledgable' people don't have the slightest clue. The human body and it's workings are still a very large mystery. So until they know for definate, they can't tell us what is right and what is wrong!

[Laurieheels]

One of the reasons people like to go on and on about this is because they like to be right. We all know the secret to wearing shoes - get something that fits. We have fetish fantasy on one side, crusading for a better world according to a miniscule minority on the other. Feminism shold be a good thing, but not at the cost of personal expression and opinion. So I think the rumour continues because someone is trying to impose a value set upon us. Feminism wishes us to believe that our bodies are our own. Well then hush about the bunions, I'll wear what I like! It's my body. :smile:Posted towards no one, of course.

[IHeels]

I can't believe this, if the shoe fits then its unlikely one will get bunions. Anyhow this topic seemed to encourage one idiot on Jenny's site, think the moderators eventually banned him.

[Slim]

Some of us stand a better chance of getting bunions from flats than heels. In fact some of us should restrict our time in anything less than 2 1/2" heels. Flats can pull your arches out and spread your feet (like a duck)--which can cause bunions.

[Laurieheels]

You know, in today's world, I am not surprised that people blame so much on high heels with regard to foot problems. This is a dangerous society! Breathing the air could kill you! It's extremely unlikely, but if there is the remote possibility of something that can happen under poor conditions, then that means it can happen and the subject becomes a warning. Somwehere along the way, people believe that the problem is common, and an over developed super hero complex mixed with a subjective viewpoint creates a person out to save the world from itself when the world is okay with that particular subject. People warning us about high heels are just doing the same thing - taking something remote and trying to save us from it, regardless of the fact that it would only happen with ill fitting shoes and a lot of walking, for example. Most of us are smart enough to wear shoes that fit and know what shoes to wear for the given activity. We do not need to be rescued! People are starving, dying, living in cardboard boxes, and other people waste their time trying to warn us about a danger that we're smart enough to avoid. Isn't Planet Earth a fun place? Laurie

[chip7X]

I've read articles about high heels and bunions. It seems like foot doctors and other so called "foot experts" blame high heels for every foot problem under the sun. One article went as far as blaming high heels on lower back problems. However, the bottom line is to wear shoes that fit and are comfortable. BTW: I own a pair of 2 1/2 in high cowboy boots with very pointed toes. They feel comfortable and never really bothered my feet, but I did get them a half size larger. chip

[IHeels]

Hey Chip, although I,m a lady try going higher, I almost never wear lower than 4 inch. I dont have bunions either, may'be Im smart enough to buy the shoe that fits!! Inga

[Debbie(HK)]

Good for you Inga, keep with the heels, you sound like me

[Firefox]

Some fashion heeled styles are made deliberatly narrow so they pinch the toes. If I get a pair like that, I force them out with a wooden former, the shape of my toes, and they fit perfectly. I never stretch shoes with my feet so I'll never end up deforming my feet with bad shoes. This stretching technique is really only suitable for styles with closed uppers by the way. You'll probably ruin courts/pumps like that

[Debbie(HK)]

I have some with a very short toe box which makes them uncomfortable for long wear. There is nothing worse than shoes which don't fit properly.

[HighBoots]

Didn't you notice that everything related to fun in this world is called "dangerous" ? Smoking, eating, drinking are dangerous. Driving a car is dangerous too, going out on the street is dangerous. If we no longer do some "dangerous" things, we must stay in bed the whole day ... and even that is dangerous. My words : HAVE FUN !

[hoverfly]

I know a coworker who was out of work for six weeks just wearing sneakers, work boots, and dress flats that were to small <font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: hoverfly on 2002-02-24 22:06 ]</font>

[terayon]

what exactly is a bunion anyway? also....francis...what do you mean by "my foot training when i was 4" ?

[Francis]

terayon! my foot training was because I was born flat footed and when I was 4 steps were taken to rectify my fallen arches. I was made to wear some Dolomite hill walking boots which had formers inside for nearly 2 years so that my foot would be a slightly more normal shape. This had the knock on effect of walking me walk more on the balls of my feet and hence I find heels are easier and more comfortable than flat shoes. Hope that's cleared the mystery

[Highluc]

Sounds similar to me. At age 9 I also had fallen arches and the orthopedist had my folks order some custom made inset soles to wear in my shoes. These things were so expensive and required larger size shoes that soon we discovered girly shoes had the same benefits and available of the racks. I do not mean the ultra feminine shoes but just sandals with a little heel and good support under the arches. Without those I would never have been able to enjoy sandals during summer. Later on this evolved into loafers with a little heel etc. My folks saved a lot of money and I was happy and healthy. The rest is history and can be read on my website. I also used this philosofie in a few of my fiction stories. F***k the medical expensive solutions, everything to resiolve those problems is available on the shelf, much cheaper and with better styles.

[Laurieheels]

Now Highluc, you do mean the less threatening medical situation, right? Coming soon from Ronco - The Home Surgeon Heart Bypass Kit! Amaze your freinds by saving them the doctor's fees and the wait times. Perform open heart surgery in your own home! Order now, and we will throw in the Vasectomizer! Only four easy payments of 59.95 and you will receive the best and only heart surgery kit you'll ever need! Yes, I am poking fun, having a lend, and I know what you meant. But it was funny. I have been in that mood today. If you people could read my work e-mails......

[Charlie]

I hear you Laurie! I was in the same kind of mood the other day myself! Laughter is a great gift that's free!! Charlie P.S. BTW, I got a big laugh from your signature the first time I read it! Guess I'm weird!

[IHeels]

DIY medicine, there was a skit on MPFC about that once, sort of funny. Way out on the edge stuff. Inga

[Laurieheels]

Charlie, thank you. However, you commented on my signature, so it must be time to change it. Expect a new one sometime sunday MST. I find that being silly and making people laugh makes me feel great. And I laugh more as well. A surreal point of view always helps. Maybe that is why I enjoyed MPFC so much without being the typical Universtiy geek. Usually guys like that, but I think a few of us girls here break the stereotype, right Inga?

[IHeels]

So right Laurie, I really liked it because of its ironic content, the fact you had to relate to everyday experiences, like stuff up's in service industries for example. You should know what I mean here, some know what they are doing and some don't. They used to play on this a bit. Probably it was a program for those who were a bit smarter than the average. Inga

[thedesigner]

well if you get em you get em, wont stop me !!

[Guy N. Heels]

I stumbled across a webpage, newenglandpodiatry.com, and they list high heels causing bunions under the catagory of "common misconceptions". This is the first group that I have seen not blame high heels for bunions. And they appear to be a reputable group. Besides, a buddy of mine, who has never worn a high heel shoe in his life, has the worst bunions that I have ever seen.

Having seen all of the inputs and misconceptions posted here, I thought I'd add my 2 cents worth.

First of all, doesn't this thread really belong in The Infirmary? I'll let Richie handle that one.

As I have mentioned in other threads, my mother was 5'2" barefooted. Also, she was a real Mutt & Jeff act with my father who was a foot taller. So she wore heels all of her adult life. Unless she was going barefoot, I can't remember ever seeing her in shoes with less than 2" heels, and I'm talking about when she was well into her 60's. She also had bunions and I can clearly remember her complaining about them (she also tended to blame the heels for them).

Now that I am well into my 60's I can truthfully say that I've been wearing heels almost as long as she did (perhaps not as often), but I haven't the first sign of a bunion. So I have serious doubts about the heels causing bunions.

Well recently I read an article that blames: A] tight fitting shoes - particularly narrow or pointy toed shoes; and B] heredity - yes, mom and pop can give you a predisposition to bunions. So then I got to thinking about the matter and, sure enough, it seems that my mother had a lot of pointy-toed shoes in her closet. Personally, I'm inclined to believe that heredity, diet, and ill-fitting shoes can all be contributing factors in the matter. So if I had to name any one thing, I'd tend to focus on heredity and/or diet. But I do believe that anyone who would buy pointy-toed shoes is also unwise. I personally tend to buy open-toed shoes simply because I like them. Still, if the toe box doesn't leave sufficent room then you're headed for trouble.

So why do so many people tend to blame high heels for bunions? I think that much like those who would climb Mt. Everest - simply because it's there.