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Flip-flops have become fashionable, but experts warn that they can be harmful to the body due to a lack of arch support and changes in gait. Excessive wearing can cause pain in the feet, legs, and back, and can lead to injuries from slips and falls. Experts recommend limiting use and choosing sturdier, well-made options.
Wearing flip-flops was once considered a fashion faux pas; a shoe reserved only for beachgoers or a quick stroll to the mailbox on a hot summer day. However, in recent years, these shoes have become much more fashionable, if not perfectly acceptable footwear for lunch, a dinner date, or even a convention meeting at the White House. In fact, flip flops have become so popular that many top designers from J. Crew to Lands’ End are designing them for the masses. However, sports medicine and podiatry experts warn that wearing flip-flops could be harmful to our bodies.
There are many reasons why wearing flip flops could be bad for our bodies and scientific studies are there to back it up. As a rule, flip flops aren’t particularly supportive shoes even though they are comfortable and cool to wear. There is virtually no arch support in these shoes and wearing them excessively can in fact take a toll on your feet, legs and lower back.
Also, by the sheer nature of the design, flip flops cause the wearer to change their gait. Because the shoe isn’t exactly designed to fit the foot, it doesn’t fit well. To walk without losing a shoe, people subconsciously change the way they walk. Over a long period of time, excessive wearing of flip flops may cause pain in your feet, legs and back.
The long-term effect of wearing flip-flops has been warned about, but some podiatrists warn of short-term effects as well. Wearing them instead of more appropriate footwear for certain activities, especially when it involves excessive walking, can lead to injured feet and ankles. The stability of flip flops is lacking, making it more likely that you will slip, trip, fall and subsequently twist an ankle.
Without having to give up wearing flip-flops altogether, experts recommend limiting their use. For activities that require excessive walking or activity, such as shopping or gardening, consider wearing a more appropriate shoe. When shopping for flip flops, avoid the cheaper varieties that can easily become tangled in your hands. Instead, look for sandals that have a sturdier, thicker, well-made sole. There are even a few varieties designed with foot health in mind. While less trendy, these flip flops offer support and stability beyond the traditional flat sole shoe.
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