MEDIA RELEASE
2
November, 2010
SURVIVING HIGH HEEL HELL THIS
MELBOURNE CUP DAY
The Melbourne Cup provides a great excuse to dress up, but many women
are risking injuring their feet by wearing sky-high stilettos to the track.
Podiatrist Paul Bowles from the Australasian Podiatry Council says many
women wear stilettos to the races, and may regret it by the end of the day.
‘The fact is that you’ll be standing up in stilettos all day, and that puts a lot of
pressure on your feet, knees, hips and back’, Mr Bowles says.
‘It’s the equivalent of standing on your tip toes all day – exhausting and very
bad for your feet, not to mention the rest of your body’.
‘As podiatrists, we’d urge women to wear sensible shoes. However, as realists,
we know that many women will wear heels to the Cup no matter what’.
‘The key is to take some simple measures to limit the damage to your feet’.
TEN TOP TIPS FOR HAPPY AND HEALTHY FEET FOR MELBOURNE CUP DAY
1)
wear lower heeled shoes – what’s a few centimetres here or there?
2)
if you can’t wear lower heeled shoes, take a pair of flat shoes as well
and alternate between the two
3)
make sure the shoes you wear are wide enough and offer enough
space for your feet. Short of this consider open-toed shoes to relieve
pressure which may cause painful corns or callous
4)
take off your shoes for brief periods every hour
5)
ask a friend to massage your feet. Failing that, massage your own feet!
6)
take your shoes off and walk on the grass
7)
practise foot exercises – find a seat, take your shoes off and move your
feet around in circles
8)
cushion, cushion, cushion - consider gel padding under the balls of
your feet for comfort
9)
wear a thicker heel where possible for balance and to distribute
weight more evenly
10) finally, visit your podiatrist before the race to make sure your feet are in
top condition and get any last minute bits of advice to avoid trouble
Your bank balance may take a beating this Melbourne Cup day, but follow
these tips and at least your feet will survive intact!
Media enquiries: Kylie Johnson, kylie@apodc.com.au or 0405 425 665
Australasian Podiatry Council
89 Nicholson Street Brunswick East VIC 3057 T: +61 3 9416 3111
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