Research conducted in Boston concluded that heels made women more susceptible to arthritis in their knees. In New York and other large cities, professional women can often be seen wearing tennis shoes while walking around the city or going from the subway or train to their office before changing back into heel for the work place. The Boston study found that minimizing the time spent in heels could help prevent developing osteoarthritis in the knees.
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The choice of shoes is considered a primary reason why women are twice as likely as men to develop osteoarthritis in their knees. The New York Times cited three physical medicine specialists from Harvard Medical School who explained that walking in high heels shifted body weight to put more pressure on the inner side of the knee joint as well as the ankle, which happens to be the area of the knee most prone to develop arthritis. While high heels will probably never g out of style, to best protect your knees and ankles, doctors suggest wearing shoes with a heel no more than an inch high.
In Britain, the Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists warned of an arthritis epidemic caused by a combination of obesity and poor footwear. A survey conducted of 2,000 individuals found that 25 percent of women wear high heels every day, increasing the risk of osteoarthritis. The survey also found that nearly 80 percent of men and women do not wear proper shoes when participating in sports or exercise programs, which increases stress on the joints, making them more vulnerable to arthritis and other conditions.
Backpacks can also cause wear and tear on the joints over time. School kids lugging around backpacks filled with heavy schoolbooks are potentially putting their shoulders and lower backs at risk from lifting the backpack and twisting while putting it on or slinging it over the shoulder.
When wearing a backpack, it should rest higher on the back and be snug against the body so as to not shift the center of gravity too much. And carrying a heavy purse of backpack on a shoulder can cause the body to lean to one side, which could lead to back problems.
See also:
5 Core Strengthening Exercises for Back Pain
The Best Exercises for Arthritic Knees
Treatments and Exercises to Avoid Injuries and Shoulder Pain
