Flip-Flop Foot Pain: Why You May Want To Rethink Your Summer Staple
With summer right around the corner, you've probably already busted out your favorite flip-flops you've had tucked away for months. Seeing others wearing this summer shoe out and about is a sign the colder weather is behind us and it's only sunny skies ahead. We hate to break it to you, but flip-flops aren't the best first choice when it comes to everyday footwear. They're perfect for a short walk to the pool or the beach, but relying on these bad boys as your primary shoe choice may cause some serious damage down the line.
To some, this might be old news. But to those unaware of the consequences, it's about time you learned the truth about wearing flip-flops. We don't want to scare you out of flaunting them in the warm weather; we just want you to be aware of the foot pain they may cause. With all that said, here are a few reasons why you might want to rethink your favorite summer staple.
Your arches may suffer
If you wear flip-flops on a regular basis, you may have noticed pain in the arches of your foot. Because flip flops offer absolutely no support, your arches may suffer the consequences. As we mentioned earlier, wearing your flip-flops for a couple of hours here and there isn't going to do serious damage. You just have to make sure you're swapping them out from time to time with shoes that have good arch support.
When shopping for new shoes, you'll want to find something with an arch that isn't too high or too low. Flat-footed people, especially, should be cautious of purchasing shoes that have too big of an arch. They can actually do more harm than good, causing foot pain when they should be preventing it.
Ideally, every shoe you own should have some arch support, but we know you also want something comfortable that you can slip on and off at the beach or the pool. In these cases, turn to your trusty flip-flops, but in all other situations, look for more supportive footwear.
You may develop plantar fasciitis
Wearing flip-flops for prolonged periods of time can also lead to plantar fasciitis. This causes inflammation of the tissue that connects your toes to your heel bone, according to the Mayo Clinic. It's a painful condition that causes sharp, shooting pain all the way up the leg. If you're in a career field that requires you to be on your feet all day, you're more likely to develop the condition than those that have the option to sit. Luckily, plantar fasciitis is treatable, but if you can prevent it from even happening in the first place by simply reducing the amount of time you spend in flip-flops, why wouldn't you?
If you've been having foot pain and you believe flip-flops may be the culprit, it's time to take a break from this summer staple. Try to incorporate shoes with arch support into your wardrobe, and you'll notice a complete difference in your stride. If you just can't give them up, save them for the pool or backyard barbecues. Trust us, your feet will thank you.