A recent study sponsored by the Institute for Aging Research and Hebrew SeniorLife in Boston, MA found that women wear shoes that cause pain. Okay, no surprise here. We've known for quite some time now that our heels are causing blisters, bunions and toe-crowding madness. (It's a small price to pay to be statuesque and fashionable.)

"The foot is the new face. Unfortunately, we need to understand that 5-inch heels are just not practical for day to day wear," says Dr. Suzanne Levine, a podiatric surgeon in New York City. "The aftermath of extended use is dramatic--many women suffer from heel shortening, nerve pain, hip and back problems and displacing nerve tissues. Plus, there is always the not-so-glamorous formation of blisters and bunions from short-term wear."

But in addition to pumps, this study also discovered that women who have worn or currently wear sandals and "slippers" (Do they mean ballet flats?) were in the pool of individuals who have a higher risk of chronic foot pain. More than 60 percent of the ladies surveyed were guilty! Odds are, so are you!

Dr. Lori Weisenfeld, a renowned New York City sports podiatrist, says your good ol' flip flops don't offer enough support for prolonged periods of walking. "For extended walking or standing, it's best to use a shoe with support or to add arch support inside a shoe that's too flat," Dr. Weisenfeld says.

Dr. Tracey Vlahovic, podiatrist at Temple University's Foot and Ankle Institute, says the same about the ballet flats you love. "[Flats] may look comfortable, but [they] can be painful to your feet. [Like heels, some] can cause severe heel pain, blisters and crowding toes, and worsen conditions like hammertoes and bunions."

What does this mean for us, fashion mavens? The research suggests that smart shoe choices are good for you in the long run. So, perhaps you should opt for shoes with good support and hard or rubber soles if you want to avoid pain in the hind of your foot, and around your ankle and Achilles' tendon? Hmmm... Now that leaves us with athletic shoes and sneakers. (Grrreat, Ysolt says sarcastically.)

Ugh. What's a girl to do? If you work in an office, you have no choice but to wear power pumps or dressy sandals and flats. I guess until your office dress code is altered to meet the needs of your delicate feet, your only choice is to wear the most comfortable pair of flats and/or heels you can find. It's not like Nikes go with pencil skirts and dress pants, you know?

Which is more important?

• Avoiding chronic foot pain
• Being fashionable

--Ysolt