by Joanna Douglas,
editor Shine Staff,
on Thu Jun 3, 2010 7:04pm PDT 668
At last, the breezy days of summer are upon us. Instead of repeatedly checking the daily weather forecast to deliberate if we need a scarf or sweater for layering, we can enjoyably slip on some comfy shorts or an effortless sundress.
For many of us, flip-flops become the go-to footwear to accompany such an ensemble, but as we’ve often been warned, these flimsy slip-ons do not always provide ideal foot support.
USA Today reports that Justin Shroyer, an assistant professor of kinesiology at the University of Louisiana-Lafayette, studied over 100 flip-flop wearers to uncover patterns in their feet and leg movements. While presenting his findings at the American College of Sports Medicine’s annual meeting in Baltimore this week, Shroyer explained some of the key problems with these shoes.
Namely, he discovered that by trying to grip and hold flip-flops in place, people work the muscles in their shins much harder than when they’re barefoot. He said that shortened strides while wearing flip-flops can also strain the lower legs.
“The more the shoe conforms to your foot, the better off your foot and leg will be,” Shroyer told USA Today. “If it’s loose, your foot has to work harder to keep your flip-flop on.” He said that more structured flip-flops with deepened heel cups and defined arches can remove some of the stress from your feet and legs, but that a sneaker is still preferred when doing extensive walking or activity.
Dr. Rock Positano, director of the Non-surgical Foot and Ankle Service at the Hospital for Special Surgery, confirms Shroyer’s findings. “With no real solid support underneath the foot, it loses its shock-absorbing capabilities. The lower leg, shin, knee, hip, and back are overworking.”
Dr. Jacqueline Sutera, doctor of podiatric medicine and surgery for the American Podiatric Medical Association, agrees with Shroyer as well. “Wearing flip-flops will shorten your stride, so your leg and foot muscles have to work harder,” she says. “This causes the need for compensation–sometimes from your knees, hips, and back. This could be bad news for people with previous injury in these sensitive areas.”
In addition, Dr. Positano says certain pathological foot types (like high and flat arches) predispose people to foot and ankle issues, and that soft flip-flops with no support accentuate these mechanical deficiencies. Some short-term issues related to flip-flop use would be heel and arch pain, tendinitis, shin splints, sprains, splinters, cuts, and toe injuries. Long-term problems might be stress fractures, bunions, hammertoes, and neuromas.
As Shroyer suggested, “not all flip-flops are created equal,” says Dr. Sutera. “The wider the straps, the better. Also, try to get a sandal with a back strap. Back straps take some of the stress off your toes and decrease the demand for them to work so hard.” She agrees that a more contoured flip-flop is preferable. “If you have arch support and can cup the heel, then the foot may not pronate as much.” (Pronation is when the arch flattens out when we place weight on the foot.) “There is a certain amount of pronation that is normal, but over-pronation causes many, many foot problems. I call it “the root of all evil.”
When it comes to brands, some are better than others. Those ultra-affordable Old Navy flip-flops may be appealing and available in every color, but your feet will pay the price if you’re doing much more activity than sitting around at a barbeque. Dr. Sutera lists Crocs, Clarks, Born, Teva, and Birkenstock as acceptable brands for light to moderate use. For a higher end option, Dr. Positano is impressed with the offerings from Tory Burch, Chanel, Prada, and Bally.
Even with a comfortable flip-flop, you should limit your use to no more than a few hours of wear. “If you’re hanging around the pool or going to the beach it’s fine. They’re not going to kill you,” says Dr. Positano. “Where people get into trouble is when they use them all day, walking around, and standing for a long period of time.”
The worst scenario, perhaps, is what Dr. Positano refers to as the “Disney World fracture.” “You have a person who’s already walking more than they’re accustomed too. Pair that with foot gear with no support, and you have the quickest way to arrive at the vacation from hell. Trips are ruined because people develop stress fractures, knee problems, and hip and back problems.”
When in doubt, Dr. Positano offers up some simple but important advice: “The bottom line is wearing flip-flops is no different than wearing three-inch high heels. Be sensible. Know how to wear something and when to wear it.”
If you enjoy watching Survivor on television, you may remember a challenge a few years ago where the winning team won Dr. Scholl’s gel insoles. If you’re a fan of late night infomercials, you’ve surely seen many devoted to shoe insoles to make our feet more stable. We are inundated with advertising for products to make our feet feel better. One thing is for certain…our feet hurt!!
Which is the right insole for us? Is it one that can be found in a drug store or supermarket? One that I saw in a shoe store? How about the guy in the mall who told me I can stand on a platform for a custom fit? Do I need to see a doctor?
Let’s start at the bottom. The insoles you will find in a pharmacy are little more than replacement sock-liners for your tennis shoes. They are flexible and offer little support. The gel insoles offer no support, but do offer cushioning for those whose natural fat padding has worn away.
The next level is an insole that you’ll find in an athletic shoe store. These often have a plastic, graphite, or rubber shell that, while flexible, does offer support. Who are these right for? Anyone having minor to moderate pain in the heel, Achilles tendon, shin splints, or elsewhere in the foot should notice some improvement. If the pain persistes beyond two to four weeks, you should consult a podiatrist. A word of warning: Generic arch supports are only appropriate for those with “flat feet.” If you have a high arch, these insoles may make your pain worse.
Then there are the “experts” at shoe stores and mall kiosks who pull out all of the bells and whistles with a seemingly high-tech computer force plate to measure the pressures beneath the foot. Don’t waste your money! First of all, a static footprint tells very little about how the foot functions when walking. Second, before you drop lots of money on something custom, be sure that the person has a degree and not just bought into a franchise.
I’m not telling you that everyone needs a custom orthotic. I do feel that if you are suffering with foot pain to the point where you need to find a fast solution, visiting a podiatrist will ultimately provide you the most comprehensive evaluation and will work to develop a complete plan for eliminating your pain. A custom orthotic is much more than simply an arch support; it is a device formulated to balance your feet, and entire lower extremity, to allow them to function most optimally.
If you have trouble seeing when you drive, you wouldn’t solve it by buying a pair of one dollar reading glasses in the pharmacy, right? Would you want any less for your foot pain?
About the Author
Tanglewood Foot Specialists is a recognized center of excellence in Houston, TX known for the evaluation and treatment of all injuries and conditions of the foot and ankle. Dr. Andrew Schneider is the medical director of the practice and personally assures that each patient has the time and attention he deserves. For more information and many informative videos, visit http://www.tanglewoodfootspecialists.com
It seems that shoes (and feet!) are attractive not only to the likes of us who love to shop for them. In fact, shoes made a great subject recently for a bunch of folks who belong to a sketching community, Urban Sketchers.
Take a look at some pretty amazing shoes (and feet!) RIGHT HERE!
Each day you slip on a pair of shoes you make an intentional choice on how you and your feet will feel the rest of the day. This is the reason why it is so important to wear comfy shoes and well-supporting shoes. It’s true.
The shoes you wear play a huge role in not only how comfortable your feet are, but also how much stress you place on your body ; and more specifically, your posture. Even though you may not realize it, the shoes you are wearing right now might very well be the cause of some of your body’s aches and pains.
Why? Because comfort and support begin at your feet in much the same way structure and support begin with a building’s foundation. For the rest of this document, a few of the comfortable shoes now available will be debated. So get those walking shoes on because it’s time to get comfy in your shoes.
And now… An inventory of three of the most comfy walking shoes for Spring 2010:
Long renowned for making some of the best shoes for many years, this model from Mephisto is a definite winner. The AllRounder isn’t just the perfect shoe for those long days on your feet due to its wonderful shock-absorbing qualities, it is also very classy in design and water-resistant. This is a real winner.
2) The Intercept from Merrell
Not only will your feet be smiling in this very comfortable offering from Merrell Shoes, its super-good looks and styling will steal more than its proper share of passing glances. Cosy. Stylish. Versatile. That’s the Intercept from Merrell: another proved winner.
3) The M.Walk from MBT
MBT (Masai Barefoot Technology) makes some of the finest walking shoes available now. Just in case you are ignorant of the benefits of MBT men’s sandals, here’s a short list: A physiological design that continuously tones your feet and posture; increased efficient support that helps ease improper gait and stress; and aesthetically speaking, a range of colours to make a choice from. Put on the M.Walk and put on comfort and support.
A good pair of comfortable shoes is actually worth whatever price that you pay. Because after all , at the end of the day, your feet, as well as your general physical well-being, will know a good selection when they experience one. Go ahead. Put on some comfort today! Find the footwear in this piece at Onlineshoes.com, footsmart.com, Zappos.com, comfortablefoot.com and many other e-tailers. .
Why does society subject themselves to the cold during winter months? Besides the simplest answer which would be, we have to; many commonly are just not prepared for the weather. We all know it is coming, yet many push aside preparation. However, even the most well prepared, ready to defend themselves through snow, sleet, rain, and heavy winds, still tend to have one slight problem… cold achy feet! Enjoying the luxury of a foot warmer is the key to protection!
It seems that no matter how many layers of socks one puts on before dressing their feet with the warmest pair of shoes that are available, the foot in the five layers of socks still will freeze a few hours later. On top of not protecting the feet that carry the body all day long, layering sock upon sock is also extremely uncomfortable. Yes a foot warmer keeps the foot warm. It also helps the circulation in the feet continue to flow, preventing extra soreness that comes with cold weather such as drying out, cracking, and itchiness.
Enjoying the luxury of a foot warmer is not just convenient for the winter months. Many people who may suffer from diabetes, athletes’ foot, swelling of the feet, bone disorders as well as other foot related problems that keep pain pressed against feet can also benefit from foot warmers. Therapeutic foot warmers are made to help prevent the pain that comes with this stress on a person’s feet.
When people think of a foot warmer they may tend to think of having to be uncomfortable, yet this is not the case at all. Foot warmers range from therapeutic and non-therapeutic slippers, heated inserts, foot rests and floor mats. Inserts fit gently and comfortably inside a shoe, lining the whole foot including toes. Floor mats can be put anywhere convenient for a person using them. Floor mats come in a variety of style from industrial to economical. Some can be hidden under a rug creating a welcoming environment. Foot rests are perfect for kicking up the feet thus allowing the foot to stretch for ultimate comfort.
It does not matter if a person is sitting down, enjoying a hot cup of cocoa, or if in an office filing miles of paper work. A foot warmer is just as wonderful for inside jobs and relaxation as they are for working out in the cold eight to twelve hours each day! Enjoy the luxury of a foot warmer!
Heel lifts are used to correct both health and cosmetic issues. Uneven legs are fairly common but usually make no difference to a person’s health if the difference between the legs is less than ¼-inch. Anything more than ¼-inch should be examined by a doctor in order to prevent future complications in the back, hip and knees. In fact, uneven legs are often discovered only after a patient complains of back or knee pain. And no wonder! If your legs are more than ¼-inch apart in size, then each step you take is putting uneven pressure and stress on your body as it attempts to compensate for the discrepancy. For people with uneven legs, heel lifts or orthopedic inserts spell major relief. They give your shorter leg the extra boost it needs to be on par with its partner.
Heel lifts are also used by people who want to add a few extra inches to their frame. Many more men use heel lifts cosmetically than women. The goal is to give the person an extra couple of inches while allowing the mechanism behind this added boost to go undetected.
Heel lifts can be made out of cork, plastic, vinyl or wood. They are usually attached semi-permanently to the shoe with contact cement or tape. Heel lifts can be applied just to the heel area, or they can be an insert for the entire shoe. In this case, the inserts are tapered so that they are thin in the front where the toes are and increase in thickness as they approach the heel area. It is not uncommon to use a heel lift in the heel area only and then cover the lift with a flat, regular insole.
Although heel lifts usually reverse negative side effects of uneven leg length, they sometimes lead to additional health complications. This is generally true for heel lifts that attempt to provide more than ½ -inch of extra-height. People who use heel lifts need to be careful that their mid-foot is getting the kind of support it needs. They also need to watch out for foot injuries and deformities that result from the downward slope of the foot. Heel lifts can sometimes cause toes to be crammed into the shoe’s toe-box, which can lead to complications such as hammertoe, bunions and calluses in the metatarsal region. The risk of these injuries and deformities developing can be reduced by wearing protective socks.
Author Resource:-> Jane Barron works for OddShoeFinder.com,a free online website that helps people find mismatched footwear.Get more information on club foot, club feet or corrective shoes.
