When your search for beauty affects your bones
Waxing, permanent makeup, and control top panty
hose - women go through a lot of discomfort in the
name of beauty. But is it worth it when beauty clashes
with your health?
Four-inch heels or flats?
While the right shoe can transform a woman's legs
from frumpy to fabulous, the wrong shoes can transform
her joints from perfect to painful.
"Those four-inch Jimmy Choos look sleek, but they
can lead to foot and ankle problems including tendonitis,"
says Laura Ross, DO, Virtua orthopaedic
surgeon. "Regularly wearing heels over three inches
can also make knee and back problems worse."
But tossing your heels isn't the complete solution -
flats have their drawbacks, too. "Flats don't always
offer enough arch support, heel cushion or shock
absorption," says Angela Jenkins, MD, Virtua
orthopaedic surgeon.
She also says to leave those fashionable, pointedtoe
shoes on the shelf. "Pointed-toe shoes squeeze
your toes and place excess stress on nerves in your
foot," she says.
So, when you stop by the shoe department, shop
for these four things:
- Heels lower than two-and-a-half inches
- Cushioned sole and arch support
- Proper width and wide-toe box
- Leather material to accommodate swelling feet
Stuffed shoulder bag or slinky clutch?
A big Coach purse might be a status symbol, but when
it's stuffed with your phone, date book, iPod, wallet,
makeup and hairbrush, it's more like a health hazard.
"The average woman carries a five-pound bag," says
Dr. Ross. "That extra weight on one shoulder puts
your body out of balance. Heavy bags can make
shoulder problems worse and can also cause
bursitis and tendonitis."
So, what's the alternative? Carry a clutch. Because
it's smaller, it will force you to only carry what's
necessary. And when a clutch isn't practical, go for
a back pack. Dr. Jenkins says: "With a strap on each
shoulder, the weight is evenly distributed making it
easier on your shoulders and back.
Reverse warrior pose or running?
Women of all ages are enjoying the benefits of
yoga and jogging.
"While both are great forms of exercise," says
Dr. Ross, "jogging has an edge over yoga for bone
health." Jogging helps prevent osteoporosis because
it's a weight-bearing exercise, which helps build
stronger, denser bones. Still, women should be
aware of potential injuries. "The most common
injury female joggers experience is runner's knee,"
says Dr. Ross. "Women are more prone to knee
injuries because they have wider pelvises."
But yoga does improve the balance, flexibility
and strength necessary to avoid bone-cracking falls.
"But beware," says Dr. Jenkins, "beginners may not
realize how challenging yoga can be and may strain
a muscle, which is a common yoga injury. Women
get hurt when they try to do too much too soon."