Egoscue Portland’s Kelly McFarland Interviewed on TV

I recently posted an article about the Dangers of High Heels and KGW News channel 8 saw my blog post and contacted us wanting to interview a female therapist and female client about high heels and their effect on posture and pain. Check out the article below:

by Cathy Marshall

The stilettos may look fashionable, but a new study found the damage they do to your body could be permanent.

Research published in the Journal of Applied Physiology also found the trouble is occurring in women as young as 25.

Beaverton’s Alex Stan has dozens of high heels and wore them as a hair stylist for 10 years.

Hip, heel , neck and shoulder pain eventually sent her to a therapist at Beaverton’s Egoscue office.

“I would come home some nights and my feet would be blue from my shoes and my husband would have to rub them, “ said Stan.

Egoscue therapist Kelly McFarland says high heels don’t allow the ankle to stay perpendicular to the floor and the damage can be long term.

“Even one day of wearing high heels puts your ankle in that position. It shortens all the muscles on the backside of your body particularly the Achilles tendon and the calf muscles,” explained McFarland.

She recommends keeping high heel wearing to a minimum – one to two hours at the most. Alex Stan has switched to lower heels and even flats when she’s home with her children.

She still however, puts on her favorite three inch heels for special occasions

“These are for date night,” she said flashing a pair of black patent stilettos with leopard trim.

Watch Video on KGW.com and fast forward to 27:50 to see segment on high heels.