Standing on your left leg, pull the right calf up toward your backside and hold. Repeat, this time standing on your right leg.

By Bae Ji-sook
Staff Reporter

Killer heels are very trendy at the moment. Fashion magazine Vogue reported that heels over 11 centimeters in height will be in style this winter.

Women say these heels help them have nicer legs and attractive postures. Online merchandiser GMarket sold over 1 million pairs of the shoes in the first half of the year.

However, doctors warn that wearing them can lead to serious damage to the feet and, eventually, the whole body.

Professor Jang Eui-chang of Chung Ang University Medical Center said that heels exceeding an inch in height cause stress and put pressure on the feet, ankles and back. This condition can become more serious over time, and can lead to various disorders.

"The pressure on the soles of the feet isn't equally dispersed. The bones of the feet become deformed, causing constant pain. One's manner of walking also becomes irregular. All of this causes a knee joint disorder that can eventually affect the whole body," he said. "One may need surgery in the future."

Women opting for killer heels should rest every three hours by taking them off, he said.

He also suggested a few stretching poses to help alleviate stress.



bjs@koreatimes.co.kr