QUESTION: I am a financial adviser and I like to dress in a professional manner when meeting with clients. I also am a very petite woman, so I wear high heels. I feel they give me more stature — literally and psychologically. However, heels also make my feet, legs and back ache. Is there a way to continue wearing heels but avoid the aches and pains?ANSWER: In your profession, do you really spend that much time on your feet? I would expect you to be seated behind a desk most of the day. If your walking is done getting to and from work, simply change into flat or low-heel shoes for your commute, then switch into heels at the office.However, if you do spend a lot of time standing or walking, there are ways to reduce the pain high heels can inflict.You don't mention the height of your heels, but I'm guessing at least three inches. Anything lower is unlikely to cause extreme discomfort.Like it or not, you need to lower the height of your heels. Since you are petite, I assume your shoe size is fairly small — in which case, a heel height of two-and-a-half inches will appear quite high. In fact, it will be more in proportion to your height than heels an inch or two taller. A tiny woman tottering about in towering heels simply draws attention to her petite stature.Investing in good-quality shoes will help ease your aches and pains. Choose rubber soles, which are better for shock-absorbtion. Leather uppers, which conform better to the shape of your feet and breathe better, will offer superior comfort to synthetics. (And last longer, too.)Finally, try doing stretching exercises to avoid soreness at the end of a long day in high heels.Jean Patteson welcomes your questions. Mail: Orlando Sentinel, M-P 218, P.O. Box 2833, Orlando, FL 32802. Phone: 407-420-5158. E-mail: jpattesonorlandosentinel.com