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The Impact of High Heels on Foot Arches and Overall Alignment

Tuesday, 11 November 2025

Wearing high heels regularly increases the height of the foot arch, shifting body weight forward and placing extra pressure on the toes and forefoot. Over time, this altered posture can cause changes in the musculoskeletal system, including calf muscle tightening, shortened Achilles tendons, and strain on the knees, hips, and lower back. These effects may lead to discomfort, instability, or long-term foot deformities. A podiatrist can assess alignment, recommend stretching and strengthening exercises, and suggest footwear modifications or custom orthotics to reduce strain while maintaining style and comfort. If you have developed foot pain from frequently wearing high heels, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist for an expert evaluation and personalized strategies to protect your foot health.

High heels have a history of causing foot and ankle problems. If you have any concerns about your feet or ankles, contact Dawn Miles, DPM from Florida. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Effects of High Heels on the Feet

High heels are popular shoes among women because of their many styles and societal appeal. Despite this, high heels can still cause many health problems if worn too frequently.

Which Parts of My Body Will Be Affected by High Heels?

Ankle Joints
Achilles Tendon – May shorten and stiffen with prolonged wear
Balls of the Feet
Knees – Heels cause the knees to bend constantly, creating stress on them
Back – They decrease the spine’s ability to absorb shock, which may lead to back pain. The vertebrae of the lower back may compress.

What Kinds of Foot Problems Can Develop from Wearing High Heels?

Corns
Calluses
Hammertoe
Bunions
Morton’s Neuroma
Plantar Fasciitis

How Can I Still Wear High Heels and Maintain Foot Health?

If you want to wear high heeled shoes, make sure that you are not wearing them every day, as this will help prevent long term physical problems. Try wearing thicker heels as opposed to stilettos to distribute weight more evenly across the feet. Always make sure you are wearing the proper shoes for the right occasion, such as sneakers for exercising. If you walk to work, try carrying your heels with you and changing into them once you arrive at work. Adding inserts to your heels can help cushion your feet and absorb shock. Full foot inserts or metatarsal pads are available.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Palatka and Saint Augustine, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Five Nerve-Related Causes of Foot Pain

Tuesday, 04 November 2025

Nerve-related causes of foot pain include several conditions that directly affect the nerves in the toes, arches, or ankles. Morton's neuroma involves a thickening of the nerve between the toes, often creating burning pain or a feeling of pressure under the foot. A pinched nerve can develop from swelling, trauma, or shoes that lack adequate space, leading to sensitivity and discomfort. Tarsal tunnel syndrome occurs when the tibial nerve near the ankle becomes compressed, producing numbness, cramping, or shooting pain that travels through the arch or sole. Diabetic peripheral neuropathy results from long-term nerve damage caused by high blood sugar, which frequently begins with pain or reduced feeling in the toes and progresses through the foot. Nerve pain in the foot can also come from a herniated disc in the lower back, which irritates spinal nerves and sends pain down into the foot. If you are experiencing this type of foot pain, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for an exam and appropriate treatment.

Neuropathy

Neuropathy can be a potentially serious condition, especially if it is left undiagnosed. If you have any concerns that you may be experiencing nerve loss in your feet, consult with Dawn Miles, DPM from Florida. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment for neuropathy.

What Is Neuropathy?

Neuropathy is a condition that leads to damage to the nerves in the body. Peripheral neuropathy, or neuropathy that affects your peripheral nervous system, usually occurs in the feet. Neuropathy can be triggered by a number of different causes. Such causes include diabetes, infections, cancers, disorders, and toxic substances.

Symptoms of Neuropathy Include:

Numbness
Sensation loss
Prickling and tingling sensations
Throbbing, freezing, burning pains
Muscle weakness

Those with diabetes are at serious risk due to being unable to feel an ulcer on their feet. Diabetics usually also suffer from poor blood circulation. This can lead to the wound not healing, infections occurring, and the limb may have to be amputated.

Treatment

To treat neuropathy in the foot, podiatrists will first diagnose the cause of the neuropathy. Figuring out the underlying cause of the neuropathy will allow the podiatrist to prescribe the best treatment, whether it be caused by diabetes, toxic substance exposure, infection, etc. If the nerve has not died, then it’s possible that sensation may be able to return to the foot.

Pain medication may be issued for pain. Electrical nerve stimulation can be used to stimulate nerves. If the neuropathy is caused from pressure on the nerves, then surgery may be necessary.

Are You Suffering From Ingrown Toenails?

Friday, 31 October 2025

If left untreated, an ingrown toenail can lead to more serious concerns, such as an infection. Knowing proper nail care can help in the prevention of an ingrown toenail. Give us a call, and get treated!

Preventing Blisters When Heading Back to School

Tuesday, 28 October 2025

New shoes and busy days on the move can lead to painful blisters, especially at the start of the school year. Blisters form when friction or moisture causes the skin to rub repeatedly, creating fluid-filled pockets that make walking uncomfortable. To prevent them, shoes should fit properly with enough room for toes to move, and socks should be moisture-wicking to keep feet dry. Breaking in new shoes gradually helps the skin to adapt, reducing irritation. Students who participate in sports should make sure their athletic shoes offer good support, and are replaced when worn out. If a blister does form, it is best to keep it clean, covered, and protected until it heals naturally. If you are a parent with school-age children, it is suggested that you help your children avoid painful foot problems by scheduling a podiatry visit before the school year begins to ensure proper shoe fit and foot health.

Blisters may appear as a single bubble or in a cluster. They can cause a lot of pain and may be filled with pus, blood, or watery serum. If your feet are hurting, contact Dawn Miles, DPM of Florida. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Foot Blisters

Foot blisters are often the result of friction. This happens due to the constant rubbing from shoes, which can lead to pain.

What Are Foot Blisters?

A foot blister is a small fluid-filled pocket that forms on the upper-most layer of the skin. Blisters are filled with clear fluid and can lead to blood drainage or pus if the area becomes infected.

Symptoms

(Blister symptoms may vary depending on what is causing them)

Bubble of skin filled with fluid
Redness
Moderate to severe pain
Itching

Prevention & Treatment

In order to prevent blisters, you should be sure to wear comfortable shoes with socks that cushion your feet and absorb sweat. Breaking a blister open may increase your chances of developing an infection. However, if your blister breaks, you should wash the area with soap and water immediately and then apply a bandage to the affected area. If your blisters cause severe pain it is important that you call your podiatrist right away.

Reasons for Medial Foot Pain

Tuesday, 21 October 2025

Pain on the inner side of the foot, known as medial foot pain, can affect the area from the inside of the heel through the arch to the big toe. A common cause of medial foot pain is posterior tibial tendonitis. This is an irritation of the tendon that helps support the arch and allows you to push off when walking. Stress fractures, which are small cracks in bones such as the navicular or first metatarsal, may also cause this type of pain that often worsens with activity. Plantar fasciitis, an inflammation of the thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot, may also cause inner heel pain. A podiatrist can identify the source of discomfort and provide the proper treatment. If you have pain in the middle of the foot, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist who can accurately diagnose and treat this type of foot pain.

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with Dawn Miles, DPM from Florida. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Causes

Foot pain is a very broad condition that could be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:

Bunions
Hammertoes
Plantar Fasciitis
Bone Spurs
Corns
Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
Ingrown Toenails
Arthritis (such as Gout, Rheumatoid, and Osteoarthritis)
Flat Feet
Injury (from stress fractures, broken toe, foot, ankle, Achilles tendon ruptures, and sprains)
And more

Diagnosis

To figure out the cause of foot pain, podiatrists utilize several different methods. This can range from simple visual inspections and sensation tests to X-rays and MRI scans. Prior medical history, family medical history, and any recent physical traumatic events will all be taken into consideration for a proper diagnosis.

Treatment

Treatment depends upon the cause of the foot pain. Whether it is resting, staying off the foot, or having surgery; podiatrists have a number of treatment options available for foot pain.

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