Foot doctors in a flap over flimsy flip-flop fad

by JeffHuang | July 24, 2008 at 04:25 pm | 1147 views | 18 comments

The sun is shining, it's a beautiful day, wouldn't it be great not to wear socks and just put on a pair of flip-flops? We see flip-flops everywhere during the summer months and who could blame the flip-flop wearers. It can be fairly comfortable and quite fashionable.

Sorry about the bad news, but many research has been conducted on these rubber pieces with straps and the results aren't too promising. First of all, we have previous articles written about flip-flops linking to cancer. Secondly, in this article, flip-flops are antagonizing the feet and lower-legs which causes a strain on the hips and lower back.

As versatile as they are comfortable, the rubbery sandals are worn by the young and old, the fashion conscious and fashion oblivious. People don them with suits, three-piece and swim varieties.

Too bad, then, that podiatrists and researchers say flip-flops hurt our feet and lead to lower-leg injuries.

Researchers at Auburn University, studying the bio-mechanics of flip-flop use compared against that of athletic shoes, found that the distinct change of gait among sandal-wearers puts strain on the arch, ankle, even the hips and lower back.

"There's a larger angle in your ankle in flip-flops," said Justin Shroyer, the lead researcher. "That could be because people are gripping with their toes so the flip-flop won't fly off."

Here are some tips for wearing flip flops

DO:

Look for flip-flops made of high-quality, soft leather to minimize the potential for blisters and other irritation.

Look for flip-flops that carry the American Podiatric Medical Association Seal of Acceptance, which are those that allow for the most normal foot function.

Gently bend the flip-flop from end to end, ensuring that it bends naturally at the ball of the foot. Shoes should never fold in half.

Ensure that your foot doesn't hang off of the edge of the flip-flop.

Here are some NOT TO DOs about flipflops

DONT:

Wear them year after year. Toss them if the soles are severely worn out .

Ignore irritation between toes, where the toe thong fits. It can lead to blisters and even worse irritation.

Wear walk long distances in them. Even the sturdiest ones offer little shock absorption and arch support.

Do yard work in them. Wear a shoe that fully protects the foot when mowing the lawn or using a string trimmer.

Play sports in flip-flops.

I wonder if I went out on the streets and showed pedestrians these results, would they even care. Besides the looks, flip-flops are horrible on the body. Personally, I wear flip-flops all the time even after knowing about the health risks. I don't think any research and results will stop people from wearing these rubber pieces.

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Gh0s7

at 21:54 on July 24th, 2008

Birkenstocks are the only sandals that are worthwhile.

Mareluna

at 03:27 on July 25th, 2008

they could also be dangerous, but I love them!

Mareluna has contributed a photo to this story.

Emilio Lizardo

at 04:41 on July 25th, 2008

The human foot was designed to walk barefoot through the jungle, forests, up and down rocky mountainsides, etc ! It is incredibly tough ! Our feet are able to 'take a likin' and keep on tickin' ...

My view is they're just trying to scare people into paying lots of money for overpriced shoes they don't need ... the footwear market is HUGE !!

Ever look in lady's closet ? If you have, then I am pretty sure you noticed an amazing amount of shoes in there ... something about women and shoes ... who knows ... it's worth BILLIONS !!!

If the ladies, and most men too, ever discovered their feet were much stronger and healthier when wearing only flip-flops, a lot of companies, and a lot of investors would lose a whole lot of money ... not to mention all tax revenue the government would lose on all those expensive shoe sales ...

Ever wonder why the styles change every year ? That's why, folks ...

Keep 'em spending, keep 'em spending ...

tiha zaman

at 04:45 on July 25th, 2008

I was born with flip-flops, oh wait a minute scratch that, I was born with "crocs" flip-flops. haha

Rustypicstx

at 05:07 on July 25th, 2008

I just wish I could have wore them in school like the kids do today. Flip flops also make it easier for the popo (police) to catch you!

Hallsy

at 06:24 on July 25th, 2008

I can't see how they can be much worse for your lower legs than going bare foot, apart from the slight toe curling maybe!

I'm not a huge wearer of flip flops, but am sitting here now with a pair on that I've just bought............and I like them!

Ambrosia Girl

at 08:20 on July 25th, 2008

I've heard of many advantages to going barefoot. Even running barefoot.

But yes, I agree with you, I will probably continue to wear flip-flops day in and day out, despite health warnings. I live in Southern California, after all.

momjeeps

at 08:32 on July 25th, 2008

Flip Flops are such a rave my sister-in-law themed our family kids party around them and made this adorable cake.

momjeeps has contributed a photo to this story.

jondi_soper

at 08:59 on July 25th, 2008

I am a dedicated flip-flop wearer. Even though I know they aren't the best for my feet, I love the ease of sliding them on and off. So, for my wedding my mother, my bridesmaids and I all decorated our own flip flops to be worn at my wedding reception. We didn't wear them in the ceremony because they look too casual AND I didn't want the "flip flop" sound echoing down the aisle. But we all slid them on for the reception as a homage to me!

jondi_soper has contributed a photo to this story.

michellesimpsonwc

at 09:22 on July 25th, 2008

Well we took this photo on our honeymoon of my husband's flip flops. We both hate wearing flip flops because of the reasons stated in the article. Lower back pain, hip pain, not easy to walk in. He only had these because he forgot his regular sandals and didn't want to walk on the beach in his leather dress shoes!

michellesimpsonwc has contributed a photo to this story.

mkalowe

at 13:16 on July 25th, 2008

I LOVE my rainbows! I wear them throughout the summer, and use them as a kind of slipper around the house the rest of the year. I don't normally wear them outside in the snow, but I was visiting Germany in July when we took a day trip to the summit of Zugspitze (highest peak in Germany.) It was 75 degrees when we left Garmisch-Partenkirchen. I was a bit unprepared for snow on the summit!

la_zingarella

at 13:55 on July 25th, 2008

hello
i took this foto
my account : http://www.flickr.com/photos/28846261@N02/
i'm making fotos with my new camera Nikon =)
i'm happy to take part in this project

la_zingarella has contributed a photo to this story.

Mary- you had to be there

at 14:29 on July 25th, 2008

Sara's pretty-happy feet! Flip flops are a family tradition for us. Here she shows off her Fourth of July toes. Why pay for a great pedicure if you can't see it?

Mary- you had to be there has contributed a photo to this story.

MountainEagleCrafter

at 19:43 on July 25th, 2008

The photo I was asked to share is of a pair of flip-flops that I've hand embellished for sale. (without my mentioning on the Flickr image, of course, that they are for sale - that's against Flickr rules *small sigh*)

Necessary shipping costs make sales a bit slow online (shoes are HEAVY!), but you should SEE the mass-produced but-now-unique flip-flops flying out of my booth at craft shows!

I seriously doubt that these comfortable and fun shoes will EVER go out of style.

MountainEagleCrafter has contributed a photo to this story.

chelibeans

at 06:07 on August 3rd, 2008

I love my flip flops and have them in every color imaginable! If I could wear them year round I definately would, they are so comfortable and easy to wear. Flip flops FOREVER!!

Slintern

at 14:11 on August 3rd, 2008

These were the flip flops I was forced to buy after I'd travelled to Berlin to run the marathon... I ended up with huge blood blisters on my little toes (not in this photo!) and couldn't put my feet in "enclosed" shoes. Unfortunately they only had them in ghastly orange! But they did the trick!

Slintern has contributed a photo to this story.

baby_bsb72

at 20:13 on August 8th, 2008

This photo of my new flip flops was taken at my own backyard...

baby_bsb72 has contributed a photo to this story.

nishitaniphotography

at 10:12 on August 14th, 2008

I am an avid flip-flopper. However like with anything you want to wear them with moderation. To much time in you flippies and you will get cracks in your heals.

nishitaniphotography has contributed a photo to this story.