Spring is here in London, ON. It’s the gateway to summer, and I am anxious to get out of my boots and closed in shoes for some sandals and flip flops. Flip flops are a mainstay of summer footwear. Flip flops are okay for short term wear poolside, at the spa, beach, or in shared showers. But for long term walking or standing, let me show you why you should consider healthier alternatives in London.
HOW FLIP FLOPS STRESS YOUR BODY…
Stress to Bones and Muscles.
- Repetitive gripping can lead to overuse of the muscles, triggering tendinitis or the inflammation of the tendons that connect your muscles to the bones
- Over-wearing your flip flops can lead to hammer toes
- Over-wearing can also lead to the formation of bunions or worsen existing bunions
- Overuse of flip flops can lead to stress fractures in the bones of your feet, which develop from repetitive trauma without proper shock absorption or cushioning
- Standing or walking too long in thin, flat shoes like flip flops can cause tiny cracks in the bones
Nasty Bacteria… and more!
- A 2009 report by the University of Miami found one pair of flip flops was home to more than 18,000 bacteria
- Bacteria found on flip flops can include the dangerous Staphylococcus aureus, bacteria from fecal matter, athlete’s foot, and HPV
- Open and minimal covering leaves risk to glass or other sharp objects which will not only puncture the skin (ouch!) but may carry the tetanus neurotoxin
- Plastic straps may be made of latex (which many people are allergic to) or plastic that contains BPA, a toxin linked to various cancers
Poor Posture.
- Any super-flat shoe that doesn’t bend like your foot does when you walk barefoot alters your biomechanics and affects posture
- Flip flops are less supportive than other shoes and can actually change the entire way you walk
- A study by Auburn University found that people wearing flip flops take shorter steps and hit their heel to the ground with less vertical force, which can throw off your natural gait and trigger pain and problems throughout the body
HOW TO PICK A BETTER FLIP FLOPS:
Size Matters.
- Find a pair that fit properly, without your toes or heels hanging (even a little) off the end
The Bend Test.
- If you pick up a flip flop and it easily bends right down the middle, put it back. You need more support
- When you bend the flip flop, it should only bend at the ball of the foot, where you need it for walking
It’s In The Arch.
- Pick a flip flop with a thicker sole and a little bump in the middle to create arch support
Strap It In.
- A thin toe strap does not provide much support and leaves your foot moving all over the place, look for a shoe with a strap across the back, or at least longer thicker straps in the front
Go Shopping!
- Flip flops wear out – replace yours every 3-4 months, and sooner if they are showing wear
Seal of Approval.
- To see what name brands have received the “Flip Flop Seal of Approval” by the American Podiatric Medical Association, go to http://www.apma.org/learn/CompanyProductsList.cfm
WHAT THIS MEANS TO YOU…
It might be okay to wear flip flops for a little while on occasion, but due to health concerns, it would be better to invest in a more supportive sandal. As well, remember that one of the goals for every chiropractic visit with patients is to help correct biomechanical imbalances, like those caused by poor footwear. Reducing these imbalances helps our nervous system, therefore our bodies, to function better.
Invest in some good sandals this season & maintain consistency with your chiropractic visits.
Sources:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/11/flip-flops-foot-problems_n_3569222.html
http://www.capitolhillmassage.ca/the-effects-of-flip-flops-on-your-body
http://www.today.com/id/32453516/ns/today-today_health/t/can-your-flip-flops-kill-you/#.WQaP3BPyvcs
