Its spring. Are you ready for Flip-Flops?
|Most people can’t wait for spring to come so they can break out the flip-flops only to be told be a physician or concerned friend that they are “bad for your feet!”. Are they? Not really. In fact, most people can function just fine in flip flops if they gradually make a transition to them from the winter months. In other words, don’t put them on and wear all day or weekend. Our bodies are miraculous at adapting to change, as long as it’s gradual. Most problems with flip flops come when the individual overdoes it without letting their feet and bodies adjust. Wear them for an hour or two a day and gradually increase each week four about 6 weeks. This should reduce any chance of injury or overuse problems to the feet. Currently the shoe industry is even seen changing its recommendation guidelines as well as the shoes themselves because it is becoming evident that less is actually better. Runners are even wearing “less” of a shoe with minimal support or cushion. So rest assured, as the weather improves, a gradual change to your stylish flip flops may not be such a bad idea!
Flip flops are great to wear. Do you have any thoughts about being able to get proper “toe-off”? Since your toes have to slightly curl to keep the sandals from flying off your feet, they don’t go through the full dorsaflexion that they would go through if there was something around the heel securing them to your feet. This might in turn affect proper timing of the firing of the psoas. Any thoughts?
I concur with the question above ^^ This is the very reason I recommend to clients not to wear flip flops. I recommend they wear a sandal with a heel strap to prevent these gait changes. I see the neurological gait adaptation associated with wearing flip flops as a long term gait mechanics injury. I’d love to hear your thoughts on this as well.
Flip flops are great to wear. Do you have any thoughts about being able to get proper “toe-off”? Since your toes have to slightly curl to keep the sandals from flying off your feet, they don’t go through the full dorsaflexion that they would go through if there was something around the heel securing them to your feet. This might in turn affect proper timing of the firing of the psoas. Any thoughts?
I concur with the question above ^^ This is the very reason I recommend to clients not to wear flip flops. I recommend they wear a sandal with a heel strap to prevent these gait changes. I see the neurological gait adaptation associated with wearing flip flops as a long term gait mechanics injury. I’d love to hear your thoughts on this as well.
A while back I was told by a podiatrist she recommends avoiding flipflops because she sees people hurt their feet in them. I countered, with maybe they hurt their feet in them because they spend the rest of their time in overly structured shoes and boots and have weak lower legs.
That being said, I can’t stand having that piece of material between my toes 😉
A while back I was told by a podiatrist she recommends avoiding flipflops because she sees people hurt their feet in them. I countered, with maybe they hurt their feet in them because they spend the rest of their time in overly structured shoes and boots and have weak lower legs.
That being said, I can’t stand having that piece of material between my toes 😉