Time to say flip-off to flip flops!

With temperatures rising as the summer fast approaches, I am already beginning to see a corresponding rise in what I call ‘flip-flop foot’ – all kinds of problems being caused by people spending their days in flip flops. I was planning to write a whole post on why this is not a good idea, but that has already been done extremely well here, here and here. As Bob Thompson of The Institute for Preventative Foot Health states, “Everything in your body starts with how you strike your heel to the ground”, the positioning of the feet providing the foundation for the body’s alignment. If this is off, the effects are felt not only in the feet but throughout the whole body. Even those people who do not subscribe to the theory of reflexology that the feet reflect the whole, can still relate to the general discomfort felt throughout the body when the feet are suffering.

flip_flops_beach

While I recognize that flip flops have their place – on the beach, getting a pedicure, in a communal changing room at the gym or by my back door for stepping outside (yes – mine is ‘no-outside-shoes-indoors-please’ house!), they are not a good option for everyday summer feet. It is definitely worthwhile spending the extra dollars to find summer sandals that hold the feet correctly – and there are plenty of cute, but healthier, options out there. I am definitely a Birkenstock girl, but know they are not an option for everyone – although if you haven’t checked them out in a while, they now offer a vast array of styles and colors, medium and narrow fit in many designs and a softer footbed in some. Other good choices can be found at Vionic (formerly Orthaheel) and at Olukai, both brands getting good reviews from customers and podiatrists alike. So take care of your feet this summer, wave goodbye to your flip-flops and your whole body will thank you!

Written by

ARCB Certified Reflexologist

No Comments Yet.

Leave a Reply

Message