Survey comparing the prevalence of lower back pain in women wearing high heel shoes and those wearing flat shoes

Item

Title
Survey comparing the prevalence of lower back pain in women wearing high heel shoes and those wearing flat shoes
Author(s)
Tryland Heidi
Abstract
High heeled shoes has over the years been discussed and analysed for it's effect on posture, lower limb and the lower back. For 250 years medical scientists have spread warnings about the health hazards of high-heeled shoes, which originated four centuries ago.This study examined the prevalence of lower back pain in high heeled shoe wearers compared to those wearing flat shoes over a long period of time. Women at retail
make-up departments were asked to fill in a questionnaire. In total 104 women
answered the questionnaire.
There was no significant different in the experience of lower back pain between high heel wearers and flat shoe wearers.
However, the incidence of lower back pain amongst high heel wearers was 61% and in flat shoes wearers 46%. Therefore women wearing high heels do seem to be more at risk. The study showed the overall incidence of lower back pain to be 53%. Previous studies show that up to 80% of the population will suffer from LBP during their lifetime (Marras, 2000). This is reported to be the maximum incidence. Therefore on face value the study shows women in this study to have a lower risk of LBP than the general population.
Further more, there was no significant difference in the prevalence of LBP in the last 12 months between the two groups. Both the high-heeled wearers and the flat shoe wearers who experienced lower back pain the last 12 months still have lower back pain.
The result showed that the majority of the women in both groups spent more than six hours standing during the day. As there was no significant difference between the two groups this study suggests that the prolonged standing is the cause of the lower back pain and not the foot wear i.e. high heels.
Date Accepted
0
Date Submitted
1.1.1970 00:00:00
Type
osteo_thesis
Language
English
Submitted by:
62
Pub-Identifier
13689
Inst-Identifier
1076
Recommended
0
Item sets
Thesis

Tryland Heidi, “Survey comparing the prevalence of lower back pain in women wearing high heel shoes and those wearing flat shoes”, Osteopathic Research Web, accessed May 1, 2025, https://www.osteopathic-research.com/s/orw/item/1068