Friday, July 8, 2011

Keep on Your Toes: How to Wear Flip-Flops Safely

It’s an unwelcome fact that warm weather lovers don’t want to hear: your favorite pair of flip-flops is bad for your health. The health of your feet, that is.

A survey by the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) found that 50 percent of Americans have experienced foot pain or discomfort at some point. Improper footwear is often a chief cause of this pain, and many types of flip-flops can directly cause foot problems due to lack of support and other factors.

During the warmer months of the year, many podiatrists treat a greater number of foot problems that can be traced back to wearing flip-flops. However, people don’t have to give up wearing this type of footwear altogether. There are certain types of flip-flops that offer a superior amount of stability and support than others.

For a list of flip-flops with the APMA's Seal of Acceptance, click here.

www.apma.org