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Learn How To Take The Hurt Out Of High Heels

By Lisa Sigell

LONG BEACH (CBS) — It is the love-hate relationship women have stepped right into — high heels.

Just ask any woman to describe the feeling after wearing them for a few hours. Words like excruciating, painful and torture come to mind.

We know you are not going to give up your heels, but a new class offered by Foot Solutions hopes to teach you how to make them as comfortable and pain-free as possible.

"Esthetically there are lots of wonderful things about high heels, but biomechanically there is nothing good about high heels," said Karen Widerynski, owner of Foot Solutions in Long Beach.

In her "Shooz Class" feet are imprinted with ink to find the points where pads can be placed to either add support or ease pressure.

Widerynski gave us these tips to keep in mind when buying heels.

  • Seventy percent of the weight is on the ball of the foot, so look for cushion and arch support.
  • Go a half-size bigger to give your toes more wiggle room (if you won't compromise stability).
  • Steer clear of heels that make you feel like you are falling forward -- those are five-minute, not five-hour shoes.

The bottom line is that you do not have to give up you heels, just find some "foot solutions". The fix usually costs $10 to $30, but the pain-free heels you end up with are priceless.

Shooz classes are scheduled on select Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. at Foot Solutions in Long Beach. The fee is $20. For more information visit their website, www.footsolutions.com/longbeach.

While the class may be unique to the Foot Solutions in Long Beach, all Foot Solutions stores offer Certified Pedorthists, who understand how to make your feet feel better and how to add comfort to high heels shoes.

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