When it’s summertime, flip-flops are all the fashion. They’ve evolved from the plain rubber type to all different types of stylish options. When they are worn for their original, intended purpose… walking around the beach or pool, they don’t pose much of a problem. But when they are used for constant, everyday wear in the summertime, they can cause foot pain, and even affect your overall foot health.
How Can Flip Flops Cause Foot Pain?
Obviously, you can get injuries caused by exposure to random pieces of debris on the ground and the cuts and scrapes that will result. You are also at an increased risk of contracting viral, fungal, and bacterial infections since your feet have no protection from what you might be walking through.
In our Physical Therapy practice, we see patients each summer who have developed other injuries that require treatment and therapy. Let’s take a look at a few.
Foot Pain – Tendonitis Caused By Flip Flops
Flip flops offer very little support for the feet. When you think about it, they are held to the foot by the one little band between the toes. Your toes have to make up for this lack of support by constantly gripping the flip flops to keep them on.
This action puts pressure on the tendons in your feet and causes inflammation of these tendons, which is called tendonitis. This can be very painful and require medical treatment and physical therapy.
Foot Pain – Plantar Fasciitis Caused by Flip Flops
Another painful condition that can be a result of wearing flip flops as everyday footwear is Plantar Fasciitis. When irritation and shooting pain and soreness in the tissues that connect your heel and toes, Plantar Fasciitis is often the culprit.
The plantar fascia tissue in the foot works to support the natural arch of your foot. Without arch support in your shoes, you’re putting repetitive stress on that fascia tissue, and Plantar Fasciitis is the result.
When you’re struggling with Plantar Fasciitis, you’re likely to get a heel spur as well. This bony protrusion on the underside of the heel bone will cause additional pain. Work with your physician and physical therapist to relieve these conditions.
Other Conditions Related to Constant Flip Flop Wear
As if Plantar Fasciitis and Tendonitis weren’t bad enough, wearing Flip Flops, unsupported and unprotected covering for your feet can cause other problems throughout your body.
Because of the lack of support, and the fact that flip flops don’t bend the same way that your foot does, constant use of flip flops over time will affect the posture of your body. This, in turn, affects your knees, lower back, and hips… causing pain in these areas as well.
Running and jumping in flip flops can be a real problem. Because your feet aren’t supported, you can end up with stress fractures, ligament injuries, and sprained ankles.
Flip Flops… Like Everything, In Moderation
Let’s face it… flip flops are fun, summertime footwear! But, like most fun things, moderation is key. Wear them around the pool, at the beach, or sitting out in the yard or patio. It’s a bad idea to wear them regularly between May and September. You’re likely to develop foot problems.
Consider choosing a brand of sandals that offer better support, or orthotics for the feet, and wear them when you’re in the mood for summertime fun!
Physical Therapy Can Help Foot Pain
If you’re getting this message too late, and already have foot pain, or pain in other parts of your body, due to constantly wearing flip flops, come in to see us at Kinetic Physical Therapy. We will prescribe a course of treatment and exercises to get you back on your feet again!
