Does anyone else get muscle spasms or cramps in their legs after wearing heels ?

[Amanda Styles]

I have been wearing heels for a long time, but not for many hours a day, but recently I have been wearing 4 to 5 inch heels for most of the day, taking them off at night and doing some stretching exersises for my calf muscles. I still have been getting cramps, especially in the morning. Does anyone else experience this?

[Eve_WA]

Sometimes, yes. Getting your potassium? That can help with cramps.

[kellycan27]

As you have stated. you are stretching those calf muscles, and they aren't used to it. it's like standing on tip-toe for long periods. Stretching your calf muscles will help,but it's gonna take time, and if you only wear heels on occasion, you're gonna lose that stretch in between times. 5" heels are quite a stretch.

[Andy66]

Are your shoes too tight? Or do you wear the same pair several days in a row? I have noticed that making your foot stay in the same exact position a lot can cause cramping. Just one of many possible causes. I get cramps in my thighs sometimes lately, which is weird. Upping my potassium intake seems to make a difference.

[Amanda Styles]

Are your shoes too tight? Or do you wear the same pair several days in a row? I have noticed that making your foot stay in the same exact position a lot can cause cramping. Just one of many possible causes. I get cramps in my thighs sometimes lately, which is weird. Upping my potassium intake seems to make a difference.
No, I have some wiggle room in my shoes, and I do change from one pair to another with different heel heights. I guess I need to do more stretching and buy a nice bunch of bananas next time I go to the store. I also did get cramps in my thighs in the past several weeks since my heel wearing time has increased.
I still love them and won't give them up!

[docrobbysherry]

Then, I tried foot stretching exercises, followed by wearing ballet boots for about 15 minutes!:eek:

No more cramps!:D

[Karren H]

Your body is trying to tell you something!!

[Erica2Sweet]

A little less time in heels might be wise.

I've gotten some cramping in the calves before and an occasional hip that wants to ache, but staying out of pretty shoes for a while seems to be the best way to calm the aches and pains.

Remember: All good things in moderation is always a better lesson than All good things must come to an end...

[Brooke Smith]

Potassium,hydration and stretching are all good. A time machine would be invaluable.

[silkenhose]

i had the same thing hapopen when i was moved from 3" to 5". it all cme down to "time in the saddle". the more i wore them the better it got.

i am in 5" all day 3 dys a week now and no issues, still get sore toes but no cramps

silk

[sterling12]

If I attend an event, and spend hours on my feet, I usually wake up about 3AM with a terrible cramp in one or both calves. I've come to accept it as just The Price I pay for being in heels for long periods of time. The cramping usually goes away in a minute or two.

A couple of "tricks," that might help. 1.) Massage those calves and point your toes downward, seems to speed up the process of making The Pain go away. 2.) An old Dancer's Remedy for cramps is to take a full soda can, place in on the floor, and roll The Can back and forth with the ball and arch of your foot.

I understand your concern. Those leg cramps hurt like Hell! But I'll imagine you'll be like the rest of us. When faced with a choice of "Heels or Cramps?" You will probably choose The Heels.

Peace and Love, Joanie

[stacy-marie hanna]

i actually find iget worse cramps when wearing flats than heels(yes im the freak),i did get bad cramp after spending 13hr in heels walking around london in october but more because the most id spent before that is less than 2 hours in heels

stacy-marie

[Dragster]

First time I wore my five inchers for a whole evening and night (I slept in them!) while my wife was away, I had cramp feelings in my calf muscles when I took them off. I didn't actually get cramp, but I had that "stiff" feeling in them for four days after!

Tony

[docrobbysherry]

i actually find iget worse cramps when wearing flats than heels(yes im the freak),i did get bad cramp after spending 13hr in heels walking around london in october but more because the most id spent before that is less than 2 hours in heels
stacy-marie

After 4 days, (and NITES), in 4" to 5" heels, I had sore toes and calves, but NO CRAMPS!:D
( That included 5 hours of DANCING in heels one nite!)
That was in Sep., at the SCC. And I'm 60+!:eek:

[Sporco]

Check out "Dr. Legs" program for helping with walking confidently in heels...

http://www.catwalkconfidence.com/meet_the_doctor/

[suchacutie]

It is true that potassium and calcium might be needed.

But,

I notice that when I'm tired and walking a bit more like a guy (not leading with the hips) that the calf muscles strain a bit more than they should. Just in case, I would suggest that you might want to evaluate your walking style just to make sure that you aren't putting undo strain on the connective tissue.

tina

[Alice Torn]

Thirty years ago, i was told to take salt tablets. Yuk! No wonder i was so irritable! Now, i take calcium/magnesium/zinc, or calcium/D, a banana, too. I used to have awful thigh, and calf, and sometimes foot cramps. Very seldom now. Yes, they are horribly painful, and i don't miss them.

[Diane Smith]

I have had terrible leg cramps at least since I was a teen. They pretty predictably come on after I go to bed at night and last between a few minutes and an hour or so. When I first started wearing heels with some regularity, it would increase the likelihood and intensity of having cramps that night. But as I've worn heels more and more and now have them on pretty much all the time except at work, I've found that the frequency of cramping has decreased and is probably about as low now as anytime in my adult life. My lower calves and ankles are definitely stronger and thicker, so I credit the improved muscle tone and flexibility from wearing heels regularly with helping to relieve my cramps.

I've had chronically low potassium levels for a long time and do take a prescription supplement -- which still doesn't get it quite up into the "normal" range, but it's an improvement over my natural state. This could also help explain why I've been cursed with leg cramps for many years.

- Diane

[Amanda Styles]

I did get some bananas, and some potassium gluconate, which should help if that is part of the problem. Wore the usual heels for 6 or so hours yesterday and today. No cramps today, or yesterday. Gonna go with hydrate, stretching and make sure I have enough potassium.
Thanks to all that responded to my thread.

[kellyanne]

I have been wearing heels for a long time, but not for many hours a day, but recently I have been wearing 4 to 5 inch heels for most of the day, taking them off at night and doing some stretching exersises for my calf muscles. I still have been getting cramps, especially in the morning. Does anyone else experience this?
I'll be darned - I get these after dancing the night before.

I also find sitting for extended hours can have the same effect.

[marny]

i have had serious muscle cramps, always at night. and I am sure the cause was dehydration.

[Jeanne Hamilton]

I used to enjoy spending the day in 4" heels, but now that I am 65+ more than a few minutes in heels over 2 1/2" - 3" causes me to suffer for a couple of days.

[JamieOH]

i myself dont get cramps in heels, but my man shoes are called Z-Coil, they have a huge spring mounted at the heel, so it is like wearing a 3 in heel all the time.

[Kate Simmons]

Wearing high heels is not natural for anyone. I try to avoid wearing them when I do for very long. I certainly don't dance in them and I love dancing. When it comes to practicality vs style, practicality will win out every time for me.:)

[Crossjoerg]

At present I am wearing 4 inch and sometimes 5 inch heels for about 6 to 8 hours every day. At the beginning, I had muscle cramps in bed but since I take magnesium sparkling pils with soda water, I became free of cramps.
Crossjoerg

[Sideways]

High heels in general aren't designed for comfort nor extended wear. More so the higher you go.

3 to 4 hours is kind of pushing it for most people, unless there's a lot of time to sit, flex and give your feet some rest.

If this is becoming a regular thing, you might want to see a specialist - it can can cause a lot of havoc for your feet and legs.

But there are a couple things I've found helpful.

If you know you're going to be wearing them for an extended period, have a prep plan set up ahead of time - soak in a hot tub, a use some ointments (heating, cooling, penetrating) , deep tissue massage, take an advil. Down side is if your muscles are too relaxed, you can risk injury by not being aware you've strained a muscle or worse - which may be minimized by doing this a couple hours or even the day before.

Exercises - if you find yourself sitting (while wearing flats or no shoes), do some heel lifts - toes firmly on the ground, raising the heel of your foot until you feel some mild tension and back down - a couple sets of these a few times a day can make a difference.

It can be helpful while standing as well but you'll have more control for reaching new heights and retain some focus on the common trouble areas while sitting.

Water exercises or aerobics are also helpful in a variety of ways. And actually decent physical therapy.

It's a bit difficult to break in a high high heel - for the shoe as much as the person. But you might also try wearing them for short periods of time regularly, and extending that time with each session - in more of a relaxed atmosphere where you can change out when you feel tension set in.

Also it might be helpful to get a couple braces to add knee, calve and ankle support - whether as training support or aftercare.

or the other, being able to take them off even if its for just five to ten minutes at a time. Give your feet and calves some tlc and promote a little extra blood circulation.

Or really, just switch them out after a couple hours.

[Deidra Cowen]

I get cramps from just 3 inch heels sometimes after staying out clubbing and being on my feet much of the night. I can't imagine what 4 or 5 inch heels would do! But I just don't feel safe in those, always afraid I will fall at da club.

By the way, being in heels all night is great exersise. I have a nice burn in my calfs and stuff the next morning just as I sometimes get from the gym. But the cramps, damn! those hurt.

[Ineta]

Yes, I do have cramps. Even in my 47 years.

I try to stretch the muscle to get over it; if I do not succeed, I have to get out of bed and step (lay my weight) on the foot/leg that is hurting.

The only remedy is - never get out of heels...

[KayC]

I have a friend who is an Orthotist, and he says heels are a total no-no, period! For those who have damaged their tendons by wearing them, he suggests Earth shoes, which have a negativity...their tennis shoes aren't noticeably different (visibly) but can make a profound difference in your overall health. I would suggest if you wear heels, that you make them lower, wider, wear them for shorter periods (bring flats for the car) and go to Earth Shoes for walking at home. Pain is our body's way of getting our attention and it's necessary to pay attention. We'd all love to wear 5" heels and look sexy, but sometimes a compromise is in order so we don't end up needing surgery when we're older.

[Jaclyn NM]

I wear 5 or 6 inch heels for at least a few hours every day, and I think your legs eventually get used to it, at least mine sure did. Besides, it's worth a little pain to wear some nice high heels as far as I'm concerned.

[SANDRA MICHELLE]

I never used to have any problem but lately I have had terrible cramps. I have gained about twenty pounds so I attributed it to the weight gain. I wear heels as much as possible, I have "many" pairs and don't like them to feel un-loved so I wear them a lot.

[StarrOfDelite]

I have a friend who is an Orthotist, and he says heels are a total no-no, period! For those who have damaged their tendons by wearing them, he suggests Earth shoes, which have a negativity...their tennis shoes aren't noticeably different (visibly) but can make a profound difference in your overall health. I would suggest if you wear heels, that you make them lower, wider, wear them for shorter periods (bring flats for the car) and go to Earth Shoes for walking at home. Pain is our body's way of getting our attention and it's necessary to pay attention. We'd all love to wear 5" heels and look sexy, but sometimes a compromise is in order so we don't end up needing surgery when we're older.

Absotively correct, Hon!

Three things I'd add to your post:

1. High Heels do NOT stretch the Achilles tendon and calf muscle, they cause them to contract unnaturally. It's about the same sort of thing as going around with your biceps flexed like a body builder for 4-5 hours at a time.

2. As a caveat, I'd say that people who wear high heels a lot should be careful about Earth Shoes, too, they actually do stretch the tendon and muscle, and going to an Earth shoe with a toe higher than the heel profile, might result in an Achilles tear if the wearer should miss a step onto a curb or going up a stair case.

3. Genetic men have longer Achiles tendons and shorter muscles than genetic women. I don't know if this makes a physiological difference in how the muscles stretch and flex, but it's something to consider. It's also why so many CD/TV get compliments on how pretty their legs are.

[linnea]

This is one of the reasons that I seldom wear heels (I'm tall too, so that is my biggest reason).

[cdLainie]

this is some great info, I just bought my first 3 pair of pump.

[Tiff Rivera]

I rarely get leg cramps anymore. When I first started wearing 5" heels I did, I just stopped wearing them all the time. I then slowly started wearing them again, just increasing my time. No more leg cramps

[karennjcd]

I think that like anything, it just takes some getting used to. I try to find some CD time every day, and when I don't I at the very last sleep in a nice dress and heels. Maybe, as some have suggested earlier in this thread, sleeping in heels helps to stretch the calves the right way so that walking and standing in them is easier. Or maybe it's just a coincidence?

I think I'm fairly used to 5-inch pumps, but I do sometimes enjoy the extra height and will wear 6-inch heels that have platforms. A 6-inch high heel with a 2-inch platform has the net effect of a 4-inch heel to the body, so in effect I'm getting extra height while putting less strain on the calf muscles.

Karen

[patti.jean]

I have a daily regiment that has helped me with being able to wear heels. First I stretch my feet and ankles with this devise http://prostretch.com/ then I try to spend time every day wearing heels. I have been doing this for the last few months and it has made a difference. I have less pain in my feet and I am able to more convincingly walk lady like in heels.

[LauraCassidy]

All of my stilettos (8 pairs) have between 4.5in and 5in heels. When I go out shopping en femme I usually wear the 4.5ins becuase I often walk 2 to 3 miles in these !!! Whereas going to the theatre or cinema I wear my 5 inchers !! But you are right - the more you wear them the easier it gets and I do some basic stretches before I put them on