Effect of High-Heeled Shoes on Lumbar Lordosis and Pelvic Alignment in Sagittal Plane: A Review

Document Type : Review Article

Authors

1 Student Research Committee. MSc. Student, Department of Physiotherapy, School of Rehabilitation, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

2 Assistant Professor, Department of Physiotherapy, School of Rehabilitation, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Background and Aims: Due to the increasing trend of high-heeled shoes usage among women, investigation of their effects on the body and especially lumbar lordosis and pelvic alignment seems necessary. Some studies have previously been conducted in this field but it seems that there is little convergence about the effects of wearing such shoes and, in some cases, even contradictions exist. These contradictions are more pronounced where lumbar lordosis is under investigation. Therefore, the aim of the present review article was to investigate the results of existing studies on the effects of shoe heel height on the magnitude of lumbar lordosis and the pelvic tilt.
Materials and Methods: The current article focused on reviewing the results derived by the articles published between 2000-2016 on the effects of high heeled shoes on lumbar and pelvic alignment in sagittal plane. By searching the relevant resources, six articles including two review articles were chosen for evaluation and investigation.
Results: According to the limited number of studies examined and the distinction between them, a certain conclusion about the effects of shoe heel height on the magnitude of lumbar lordosis and the pelvic tilt cannot be presented. According to the results of articles examined, loss of multilateral investigation on the vertebral column and pelvis, loss of using proper and validated measurment tools in some cases, and neglect in the compensatory effects are the common reasons for divergence in the results. It seems that a more comprehensive study is necessary to shed more light on the areas unknown.

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References

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The Scientific Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine
Volume 7, Issue 1
March and April 2018
Pages 244-251

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History

  • Receive Date: 17 November 2016
  • Revise Date: 23 March 2017
  • Accept Date: 06 May 2017
  • First Publish Date: 21 March 2018

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