The iconic summer sandal is becoming more renowned for the negative effects that they can have on a person’s body. Experts continually say that flip flops provide no support for a person’s foot.
Wearing flip flops changes the way your body moves and walks. Your steps become shorter pressuring your heels to hit the ground differently then normal. This new motion in your foot can set off pain in virtually any part of the body. From your shoulders, lower back, hips, knees and ankles. If you are planning on walking for a lengthy period of time, switch out of your flips flops for a more supportive shoe.
The most common foot injury that somebody can get from wearing flip flops is plantar fasciitis. The plantar fascia is the ligament of tissue that connects your heel to your toes. It is what supports the arch of the foot. The main cause of plantar fasciitis comes from straining the plantar fascia due to lack of support orputting to much pressure on it consistently. Because the soles in flip flops are so weak it will make you more susceptible to damaging your plantar fascia and getting plantar fasciitis.
This controversial sandal is also known for bacteria. In a study done by the University of Miami they came across a pair of flip flops that had 18,000 different types of bacteria on it. The flip flop’s strap is the hub for any bacteria that it walks by. Between sweat accumulated from walking to other types of dirt and sands, these toxins that accumulate on to flip flops can cause several different types of fungal problems such as blisters.
The sun is out and the weather is warm but our footwear still needs to be kept in mind. You may want to consider wearing more supportive shoes and visit our chiropractor at the Madison Sports Injury Clinic for a customized pair of orthotics. Our practitioners believe wearing improper footwear negatively impacts the whole body. If you are encountering any pain on the body, back or feet come in for a consultation or book an appointment with any our doctors, specialists or RMT’s for relief. We also offer physiotherapy, naturopathic medicine, kinesiology, massage therapy, chiropractic, treatment and rehabilitation of motor vehicle accidents, WSIB, compression stockings and custom made orthotics.The Madison Sports Injury Clinic is conveniently located at the corner of Yonge and Sheppard, only a 5 minute walk from the TTC, Sheppard-Yonge Station.
References:
http://madisonclinic.net/services/custom-made-orthotics/
The Health Risks. N.d. Http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1298471/Flip-flops-injure-200-000-year-costing-NHS-astonishing-40m.html. Web.
“LOOK: How Your Flip Flops Are Killing Your Feet.” HuffPost Canada. The Huffington Post, 11 Nov. 2013. Web. 19 July 2017.
N.d. Https://ithinkbigger.com/first-impressions-flip-flops/. Web.
Van Zutphen, Liz. “The Hidden Dangers of Your Favorite Pair of Flip Flops!” Balance Physiotherapy. N.p., 25 June 2015. Web. 19 July 2017.