Beauty Is Pain

Why do women go to extreme measures to look beautiful? Perhaps it’s to make them feel better about themselves, or to try and impress others. But are they actually making themselves feel better when they could potentially be hurting themselves in the long run? In an article written in the New York Times last week, the author discussed that women wore shoes that could cause harm over shoes that helped prevent damage. 60 percent of the 3,378 surveyed said that they chose to wear a less supportive shoe, such as a high heel or a sandal, over a sneaker. What might be the reasoning behind that finding?

I know that most women love to shop, and many have a weak spot for shoes. There is just something about a beautiful pair of five inch, pink jewel covered stilettos that make it hard to resist. The pain you may endure from wearing a shoe such as this seems well worth it when making the purchase, but potentially regrettable two hours into the cocktail party. Certainly everyone may be complimenting the shoes, but clearly they don’t experience the pain; moreover, they won’t be suffering the consequences.

When people seek out medical evaluation of injury, the doctor usually gives a diagnosis and a cure. If one has a broken arm, it goes in a cast. Should the problem be a swimmers ear, the pool becomes off limits. Foot and ankle pain? Supportive shoes are the answer. Why do most people continue to knowingly wear shoes that can cause potential injury? Perhaps the desire to pursue fashion overrides the pursuit of health. Certainly the time honored tradition of pursuing fashion over health has been with our culture for generations and is expected to maintain its position of importance for generations to come.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/06/health/research/06patt.html?ref=research