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Flip flops have become part of summer fashion over the years. A favorite among women, flip flops have also become a hit among men because people can wear them the whole day, particularly in the warm weather.
Flip flops come in all colors, shapes and sizes. Rubber thong sandals like Havaianas flip flops are very popular in the U.S. and around the world, and are used not just in the beach but basically, everywhere. However, health experts warn that these slippers are not entirely foot-friendly.
The first and most obvious reason is that flip flops leave your feet fully exposed. If you’re not used to trudging around in slippers, you can trip over the tip of your flip flop and damage your foot. This is no joke – some foot doctors have had to surgically reattach tendons to patients’ toes.
Flip flops lack structure, and any shoe that can be folded to fit your back pocket is not good for your feet because good footwear should flex where your foot flexes and where your toes bend, says Dr. Noreen Oswell, DPM, one of the founders of the Los Angeles-based podiatric medicine clinic The Foot Center.
Shoes that can be bended to form an arch, like flip flops, cause strain which often leads to an inflammation of the tissues that run along the bottom of the foot. In order to keep flip flops on, many people grip their toes and are unaware that they are straining more than their foot muscles.
When your toes try to grip the bottom of your flip flop, this action is the opposite of what your toes should be doing at that time. This improper action shortens your natural stride, prevents the natural “locking” of your foot and forces your hip and leg muscles to work harder, causing some muscles to shut down.
Taking shorter strides also means taking more steps, and the more steps you take, the more shock for your feet to absorb. Your flip flops’ thin soles won’t absorb a lot of shock, and that shock is transmitted to your next available shock absorber, the knee joints, and could travel up to your lower hip and back.
These changes can be felt all the way up to your neck, jaw and head, Muscle Activation Techniques specialist Tony Bruno warns. Long-term flip flop use can also contribute to hammer toes, the abnormal bending of one or both joints of the second, third, fourth or fifth toes, which is characterized by pain, irritation, corns and calluses on the affected toes.
This doesn’t mean that you should throw away your flip flops – just stick to using them on the beach and at home. Look for flip flops made from leather or suede to cut down on blisters. Use shoes with more cushioning and arch support and make sure that your footwear bends at the ball of your foot.
A small but growing body of research is suggesting that the human body is well-adapted to running barefoot (PDF FILE), thus, walking barefoot on a clean, natural surface could potentially help contribute to your good health.
Start taking your foot health seriously this summer. Go for what’s healthy, not what’s trendy.
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