A Doctor's Tips - Making High Heels Feel Like Sneakers

Dr. Splichal--who's trained in orthopedics, anti-aging, and sports medicine--set up camp at a shoe heaven here in NYC called Shoegasm to give out advice and host a "Catwalk Confidence" class for all the ladies with aching tootsies out there. Here's her genius advice for making the high heels experience a little less traumatizing:

1. Perfect Posture You want to hold your body in proper alignment when wearing heels which will prevent the common complaints of low back pain, knee pain and foot pain. From our head down to our feet proper alignment will not only help you feel great but you will look great! When standing in heels remember to keep the head and chin up, shoulders back and down, abdominals engaged and a slight bed in the knees.

2. The Stiletto Strut The way you walk in heels actually plays a big role in foot pain and possible risk of injury. By engaging the abdominals and lifting so you are light on your feet, you'll get the perfect Stiletto strut. You want to step one foot in front of the other aiming for the ball of the foot when stepping. Try to keep your heels in line with the toes and avoid turning out and walking like a duck.

3. Stretch Flexibility in the ankle joint and hip flexors are crucial to rocking your stilettos! You want to stretch you calves, hip flexors and feet before AND after wearing high heels. Foot and back pain can be avoided through releasing tight muscles and realigning the body after hours in stilettos.

4. Strengthen Feet Your feet are your foundation to standing and strutting so if you want to put some confidence in that strut don't forget to tone those toes! Some great exercises are picking up marbles, towel toe crunches, and inversion/eversion exercises for the ankle stabilizers.

5. Never wear the same pair of stilettos two days in a row No two pairs of shoes are manufactured exactly the same or worn down the same way. So each pair of shoes has its own unique pressure points on your feet which, if worn two days in row, will begin to cause pain and discomfort. If you wear high heels everyday, try to switch the heel height up every day.