Now that we have looked at what the summer sun can do to your feet, let’s talk about what sandals can do to them. With the warm Austin weather, some of us wear sandals year-round. A recent article in USA Today discusses the research of Justin Shroyer, a kinesiology professor at the University of Louisiana-Lafayette. He studied more than 100 people that wore flip-flops to observe how their legs and feet were affected. Some of his findings included:
-Flip-flops cause the muscles on the front of the shin to work harder, in effort to grip the shoe in place. This prolonged use could lead to other deformities of the toes later on.
-Flip-flops shorten your stride length and can cause pain in the lower leg
-Flip-flops with heel cups and arch support help induce a more natural walk
The mistake most of us make is wearing sandals as our daily shoe. They are mainly made to go to the pool or beach. Yet we run errands, walk the dog, stand up all day, or walk all over campus in sandals. You’re better off wearing a shoe with good support that stays on your foot. If you must wear sandals more often than that there are a few things you can look for. Avoid the thong-type sandals. Opt for a wide strap across the foot, and preferably one that goes around the heel to help the sandal to stay in place. Also look for a heel cup and good arch support. The American Podiatric Medical Association has put out a list of sandals with a “Seal of Acceptance” if you need help in the right direction.
http://www.apma.org/MainMenu/RecommendedProducts/SealofAcceptance/Seal-Flip-Flops.aspx
For any of your foot concerns, come by and see Dr. Grimm or Dr. Pattison for your foot care needs.
-Flip-flops cause the muscles on the front of the shin to work harder, in effort to grip the shoe in place. This prolonged use could lead to other deformities of the toes later on.
-Flip-flops shorten your stride length and can cause pain in the lower leg
-Flip-flops with heel cups and arch support help induce a more natural walk
The mistake most of us make is wearing sandals as our daily shoe. They are mainly made to go to the pool or beach. Yet we run errands, walk the dog, stand up all day, or walk all over campus in sandals. You’re better off wearing a shoe with good support that stays on your foot. If you must wear sandals more often than that there are a few things you can look for. Avoid the thong-type sandals. Opt for a wide strap across the foot, and preferably one that goes around the heel to help the sandal to stay in place. Also look for a heel cup and good arch support. The American Podiatric Medical Association has put out a list of sandals with a “Seal of Acceptance” if you need help in the right direction.
http://www.apma.org/MainMenu/RecommendedProducts/SealofAcceptance/Seal-Flip-Flops.aspx
For any of your foot concerns, come by and see Dr. Grimm or Dr. Pattison for your foot care needs.
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