HealthyFeetBlog.com

Myth #1: Flip flops are always unhealthy for feet.

Medical Fact #1: The thin, plastic flip flops that you find in most drugstores and some department stores are incredibly unhealthy for feet. Because they are completely flat they provide little support for the arch and the heel which can lead to foot pain and even plantar fasciitis. Drugstore flip flops don’t absorb shock very well, so for those who do a lot of walking, daily wear can eventually lead to shin splints. Ankle injuries and slip and falls are also a danger due to the instability and poor slip resistance of these supposedly comfortable summer sandals. Because thin, plastic flip flops are inexpensive and readily available they are the flip flops that most people wear and the type of flip flop that doctors and health experts frequently complain about.

There are; however, many healthier flip flop options! Healthy flip flops are made from EVA, cork, leather, and other more durable materials which are designed with foot health preserving features such as built-in arch support, hallux support, biomechanical correction, deep heel indentation, shock absorption, improved traction, and pronation control. The healthiest flip flops are designed by companies that have made a commitment to consulting medical professionals about the health of their sandals throughout the design and manufacturing process such as Moszkito, Orthotic Sandals, Bite, and Orthaheel.

Myth #2: Flip flops are never able to accommodate custom orthotics.

Medical Fact #2: Most flip flops can’t accommodate custom orthotics, but that doesn’t mean that none can. The problem for most flip flops in terms of custom orthotic accommodation is the toe post. It attaches to the footbed of the thong (flip flop) sandal thus preventing the custom orthotic from extending all the way to the toe. Bite has managed to solve this problem in their line of sporty orthopedic flip flops by creating a flip flop with a removable insole. The only hitch is that in order to replace the flip flop’s footbed with a custom orthotic, you have to cut a small hole in the orthotic for the toe post to go through. For more information check out the Bite Women’s Flip Flop, Spirit OS and the Bite Men’s Flip Flop, Mako available for sale at HealthyFeetStore.com.

Myth #3: Of all the shoe fashions being worn today, flip flops cause the most injuries.

Medical Fact #3: While flimsy, unsupportive flip flops do cause a fair number of injuries; the title of most dangerous shoe still goes to the omnipresent female fashion shoe, the high heel. High heels (defined as any heel over 2 inches) are incredibly unhealthy for feet. The natural walking motion of the foot is to strike the ground with the heel and then roll the foot forward reaching a flat position at the toe. The high heel hinders this natural heel to toe motion, placing undue pressure on the front of the foot. This frequently results in ball of foot pain and toe deformities. Keeping your foot in such an unnatural position for long periods of time can also result in a permanent shortening of the Achilles tendon. In people who have a genetic predisposition for developing bunions and hammertoes wearing a 4 inch pump, particularly one with a pointed toe, is a recipe for medical complications. Take into account the higher instance of blisters, corns, and calluses among habitual high heel wearers and even drugstore flip flops begin to appear downright benign.

Myth #4: Flip flops can be just as healthy and supportive as athletic shoes.

Medical Fact #4: Healthy, arch supporting flip flops make safe and comfortable loungewear and work fine for non-strenuous walking. They are not; however, walking shoes or cross trainers. They should not be used during exercise or for walking long distances anymore than a dress shoe would be a good choice for such activities.

Myth #5: Anyone can wear flip flops.

Medical Fact #5: There are some people who, for health reasons, should never wear flip flops. People with circulatory problems and sensitive diabetic feet are among this group. So are people with Morton’s neuroma (nerve inflammation in the toes and toe joints) and some types of arthritis in the feet. Even when a flip flop has been orthopedically constructed to provide the proper arch support, stability, and traction some dangers still remain inherent in the design. The toe strap, while safe for most people, can split the skin and cause infection in a person with very fragile feet. The toe strap may also be painful for people with inflamed joints or nerves around the toe area. The safest sandal for people who have very sensitive feet is usually a fisherman sandal such as the Orthofeet Women’s Sandal, Fisherman 874 or Apis Boxer Dogs Men’s Double Depth Sandal, 9938 because it has a closed back and a closed toe.

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