In the midst of this merry season, your feet may be getting quite a workout...logging miles at the mall shopping for gifts, twirling around the dance floor at New Year's Eve parties, standing in long lines at special events. Common sense says to strap on a comfortable pair of supportive shoes for all these holiday happenings, but who can resist the sparkle of a gold slingback?

Wearing high heels affects your gait and strains joints, tendons and muscles all the way up the legs to the lower back. Walking in them makes it harder to straighten your knees, putting more strain on your kneecaps.  A recent study published in the Journal of Orthopaedic Research found that walking in 3 1/4-inch heels, as opposed to 1 1/2-inch heels, puts women at risk of developing knee problems, even if they walk more slowly. The observed changes in gait were similar to those seen in osteoarthritis and were especially notable for subjects who wore a weighted vest equal to just 20% extra body weight, indicating that women who are overweight have an increased risk of injury.

How can you be fashionable and protect your joints at the same time?

Shop wisely. People with high arches will be more stable in high heels but will still benefit from shoes that have shock-absorbing material like cork under the ball of the foot. Get off the carpet when you try new shoes on, so you can tell how the padding of the shoe really feels on the ball  of your foot.

Alternate your heel height. Wearing heels of different heights helps to prevent your feet and tendons from getting into a rut.

Listen to your feet. Foot pain is never normal. If your shoes are not comfortable, stop wearing them!

Consider orthotics. A variety of small leather orthotics are now available for women's dress shoes.