Flip Flops 101: Potential Danger of Summer Footwear - East Idaho News
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Flip Flops 101: Potential Danger of Summer Footwear

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GETTY 8813 FlipFlops?  SQUARESPACE CACHEVERSION=1375967227038iStockphoto/Thinkstock(NEW YORK) — By now, most women have heard that wearing stiletto heels are not great for our feet, legs or back.  But if you think it’s safer to go with flats — perhaps a natural-feeling flip-flop — think again.

Podiatrists’ offices are seeing women with foot pain caused by a summer season spent in slides, also known as flip-flops.

Research from Auburn University has shown that wearing flip-flops for excessive amounts of time can cause temporary or even long-term damage to the musculoskeletal system.

For one thing, flip-flops lack proper arch support, causing your full body weight to exert pressure on the plantar surface of the foot.  With time, this may cause widening of the foot and arch collapse.

When the toes crunch up in an effort to grip the front sole of the shoe, this can disrupt the dynamics of the stride, resulting in a shortened stride, with consequences going up the body from the knees, to the hips, to the lower back.

So what does this mean for your summer foot wardrobe?  You can still wear this summer fashion staple — but there are a few recommendations.

Firstly, limit time spent in flip-flops by wearing a variety of different types of shoes. Secondly, try to avoid walking long distances in flip-flops. And lastly, choose a flip-flop with good arch support and good cushioning for your sole.

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