We know that summer without flip flops is unthinkable but have you thought about how they affect your body?
Wearing these comfortable everyday shoes actually puts many parts of our body in danger.
One of the vulnerable areas when wearing flip-flops is the ankle. Due to the fact that flip-flops do not have straps to hold them in place, the twist rate increases significantly in comparison to wearing more closed shoes. A stabbing pain or burning sensation in the heel may also occur, and due to flip-flops’ lack of support for the foot arch, the latter may collapse and lie unnaturally flat in the shoe.
Meanwhile, it has been proven that a significant percentage of people tend to squeeze their toes while the heel is raised in the air as they walk. This type of movement at the wrong time in the gait cycle can lead to problems with the head, neck and thighs.
Here are some tips for the summer, when choosing and wearing flip-flops:
- Choose flip-flops with a stronger sole for better cushioning. No shoes, regardless of the type, should bend in half or sideways.
- Limit the wearing of flip-flops to the minimum, such as walking on the beach, around the pool, in locker rooms, in hotel rooms or even when taking out the trash.
- Don’t wear flip-flops while playing sports.
- Don’t walk over long distances in flip-flops.
- Don’t ignore irritations between the toes and be careful with the strap as it can cause blisters and infections.
- Use sunscreen on your feet when wearing flip-flops.
- If your flip-flops have thin soles replace them every 3-4 months.