Kick the Flip-Flop Habit

At NY Foot Health, we know the lazy days of August are particularly suited to that iconic summer shoe, the flip-flop. So easy to slip on and off and comfortable yet not so great for your feet. In fact, one of the primary causes of fall foot pain is the excessive wearing of flip-flops in the summer. Below are some ways that traditional flip-flops can harm your feet:

  • Heel pain—flip-flops are completely flat and lack any arch support. Arch and heel pain is the result of inflammation of the plantar fascia. It encourages the flattening of your arch, which stresses the plantar fascia—the long band of tissue stretching along the bottom of your foot from your toes to your heel.

  • Blisters—sweat from your feet increases the friction between your skin and the vinyl piece between your toes on the flip-flops, resulting in blisters. Due to the fact that your toes naturally rub against each other when you walk, a blister in this location can be challenging to bandage and heal and may become infected.

  • Shin splints—the unique gripping action needed to keep flip-flops on your feet puts excess strain on the muscles in your lower legs. It can lead to pain on the sides of the shins, more commonly known as shin splints.

  • Ankle sprains and other injuries—the lack of side support on a pair of flip-flops makes it easy for your ankle to twist out of them or for you to trip and fall. Toe scrapes are also common when wearing flip-flops.

  • Knee, hip, and back pain—because walking flatfooted can throw off your alignment, it’s not unusual for persistent flip-flop wearers to experience pain in other areas of their lower extremities.

If you’re still reluctant to say goodbye to your flip-flops, it is possible to find manufacturers who have upgraded the slip-on style to include better arch and foot support. The American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) publishes a list of footwear manufacturers that meet high standards and get their seal of approval. Click here for the list.

For more information about taking care of your feet, contact us and consider subscribing to our free e-newsletter.  Don’t have a podiatrist currently? Our online directory can help you locate one in your community.

Blog, Foot Health, Flip-FlopsNYSPMANY Foot Health, Flip-Flop, summer shoes, Heel pain, plantar fascia, foot arch, Blisters, toes, Shin splints, Ankle sprains, foot injuries, ankle injuries, knee pain, hip pain, back pain, American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA)