When summer comes, naturally we think of free-spirited days. Days filled with nothing to do, no place to go, and no work that must be done. Where the dress code is, "come as you are." No need for formal attire. That includes footwear. Enter Flip flops! They're easy, comfortable and and can be put on in a flash. However, what people often don't realize is that this versatile foot ware can cause pain and damage to the foot.
One of the biggest offenders of general foot health is the flip flop.
While a 2010 study suggests that flip flops may actually decrease the load on our knees, it looks like there's more risk to wearing these unsupportive shoes than benefits. In one study, a researcher compared the effects of wearing flip-flops to athletic shoes on 39 male and female college students. Compared to the sneaker wearers, the flip-flop wearers took shorter steps and struck their heel to the ground with less vertical force, causing their gaits to sway away from their natural rhythm. The reason? Most flip-flop wearers tend to clench their toes around the thong portion of the sandal in order to keep them from flying off! But toe curls aren’t quite what the doctor ordered and can instead lead to repetitive stress on the ankle and foot.
WHERE FLIP FLOPS FALL FLAT — THE ANSWER/DEBATE
Even though thong-like sandals provide some cushioning benefit over bare feet alone, studies show they’re responsible for throwing human gait kinetics out of whack. The body is forced to compensate, and what starts as stress on the arch, heel, and the rest of the foot can eventually rise up the kinetic chain and manifest itself as soreness in the legs, hips, and lower back.
Among the most treated flip-flop induced injuries is plantar faciitis, an inflammation of the connective tissue along the bottom of the foot that affects close to two million Americans each year. This acute heel pain is most often sparked by all-day wear, with overweight or sedentary wearers even more susceptible since their arches are already under strain. Roughly 20 percent of sufferers develop a chronic condition, making plantar faciitis even worse.
Here are a few tips to keep in mind when picking a pair to rock for the warm weather:
1. Time it right. Replace flip-flops every three to four months, and only wear them for short periods of time.
2. Opt for leather. The plastic ones may come in every color under the sun, but a soft, high-quality pair of leather flip-flops is less likely to cause irritation, including blisters, and also allows your skin to breath as it is a natural fiber.
3. Find the right fit. Make sure the heel and toes don't hang off the edges of the sandal and that when you bend the sandal from end to end it bends where the ball of the foot hits — not at the arch!
4. Think smart when wearing them. Yes, they are good for Beach walking (do not like when all that sand gets into your shoe), at the pool, and a quick run to the grocery store? However wearing them for a soccer game, lawn mowing, or a five-mile hike, not the best idea.
5. Find flip flops that have arch support.
6. Look for sandals approved by the American Podiatric Medical Association. They have an extensive list of the approved shoes (of all types), so peruse their website to find the list.
http://www.apma.org/learn/content.cfm?ItemNumber=1108&navItemNumber=542
And one last piece of fashion advice, please do not wear them with socks!!! :)
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