Leaderboard

I had a very painful and temporarily disabling lower-back problem about eight years ago - sciatica brought on by a displaced disc. Fortunately, it responded to medication, some mild physiotherapy and patience; the disc decided to reposition itself and no further action was needed. Since then, the recurrence of back pain has been rare (and of short duration) and the only other symptom has been a twinge or pins-and-needles in one leg, which is tolerable. Wearing a modest heel does help; it seems to improve my posture, taking pressure off my back. But recently I have developed muscle pain in the other leg and a frozen shoulder - still under investigation but responding gradually to medication (and occasional heel-wearing too). I dislike unproductive exercise of any description and try to avoid it, unless essential to overcome the above problems. (Whenever I feel the rare need to 'take exercise', I invariably find that, if I lie down quietly for about 20 minutes or so, the urge does go away.) I don't regard walking as 'unproductive' as it is a good means of getting around economically (as if you didn't know!), and can be enjoyable and therapeutic too. Walking round the shops is good; something to look at and pass the time, whether or not buying anything. The worst possible thing to do if trying to avoid back pain was graphically outlined by one doctor, i.e. leaning across a table that stands in front of a sash window and trying to raise that window from the bottom - ouch! From bitter experience, I find that lifting out one's wallet in a shoe shop can be nearly as dangerous, if more immediately rewarding.

Almost, nobody.

It is exactly that simple. There is also the tacit desire to meet the expectations of, and maintain the approval of, others within our sphere and a sort of self censorship and conservatism and hesitancy that often goes with it. Nobody wants to rock the boat.

May I also welcome you here, Russ. You will find several like-minded members to exchange intelligent views with. As a matter of interest, in which area of the UK do you live? I can identify with most of the above comments. I like heels (on women, and for discreet wearing myself) and have also found them beneficial for lower-back and leg pain. However, my wife disapproves of my 'interest' and would certainly blow her top if she knew of my wearing activity. As things stand, she is aware of my cuban-heeled men's boots (which she dislikes but tolerates) and also dislikes me wearing anything pointed. I have to be careful but I am not prepared to completely abandon my harmless and casual pursuit just because she has different ideas.

Good luck! As you say, perhaps it is best that Fate has kept the Zara boots out of your reach. Although Fate usually likes to dance these temptations before us rather than keep us on the straight and narrow, so a size 41 may yet well pop up. Going for the PU pair eh? I know an expert on PU, PVC and faux leather - you could always query him for advice! :-)

I know I've become less and less worried about what people think, but that is an almighty hurdle for most of us. My wish to do just whatever I want is tempered with a desire not to embarrass or harm anyone close to me. My wife has known about my love for heels for most of our married life, but until a couple of years ago I hardly ever ventured out in public wearing them. She will now come out with me when I'm wearing block heeled boots or wedges, and I know I'm very very fortunate in this. However, I believe the biggest problem with most of us is the six inches between the ears. We're worried that everyone is staring at us and laughing at us, and terrified of meeting someone we know. One of my wife's friends and a couple of others in the same business as me know about my heels and are completely OK with it. I went on the train to a company conference last Saturday in 4.5 inch wedges under a business suit. Seven hours in the train and walking between trains, seven hours at the conference with over 5,000 people present. Loads of people must have seen them, but I got not one comment, not one sign of amusement or disgust, apart from a giggle I heard from a teenager behind me, but even then it might not have been at seeing my heels. My reason for wearing them, if anyone asks, is that they are a miraculous cure for backache. My back aches if I stand or walk around for more than a few minutes, but heels are an instant cure. I'm not the only one who finds this, as this article shows: http://home.bt.com/lifestyle/four-inch-heels-cure-mans-bad-back-now-he-cant-stop-wearing-them-for-charity-11363970352666 The fact that I absolutely adore wearing them is another matter... Anyway, that's me. I have about two dozen pairs of heels, from two inch cowboy boots to 7.5 inch stilettos, but recently I've been more and more interested in street heels of at least four inches.