by Rita Chandler

Created on: August 11, 2010

Colorful, simply-styled flip flops and summer beach trips always went together when I was a kid but these rubber soled thonged shoes have evolved into popular footwear for all occasions. Even brides are wearing them.

These thongs, slip slaps or slippers are a flat sole secured to the foot by a Y-shaped strap, like a thong, that passes between the big toe and the second toe. They may be popular, comfortable and some are even ornamental, but they are not good for a person's foot.

With each step a person takes, the foot rolls inward. The spongy sole of the flip flop allows the foot to roll inward more than any other shoe. When this happens, the arch tends to collapse leading to overly pronated feet that developes into serious podiatry problems such as knock kneed or plantar fasciitis.

If flip flops are worn regularly throughout childhood and adolescence, the muscles, bones and tendons do not grow correctly. Flat feet is a common outcome of retarded muscle and bone development of the foot. Tendenitis develops when these open slippers force a person to overuse the tendons in the foot when trying to obsorb shock as, with each step, the foot hits the ground. Minor foot problems from wearing flip flops include stubbed toes and sprain ankles.

Walking in flip flops does not allow a person to have a natural gait. To keep the shoe on the foot, the wearer tends to clinch the Y-shaped thong tightly, causing the toes to bunch, and to take shorter steps. Bunched toes can cause permanent toe curling if the flip flops are the usual shoe of choice and shorter steps keep the person from taking less vertical steps. Both can cause muscle and bones problems from the foot to the hip.

Flip Flops are not only a health hazard but an environmental hazard, also, which can lead to a health hazard. Even though they are now being made from sustainable materials such as recycled hemp and cotton, most are made from polyurethane, which comes from crude oil and cannot be recycled.  

If you really want to wear flip flops and no other shoe, spend a little more money and buy those that have bands across the arch for support and better cushioned soles. Just these two additions to the shoe can prevent collapsed arches. Also make sure they have ankle straps or slingbacks to keep the foot stable. But then if you buy those types of shoes, you will be buying and wearing regular ole sandals and not flip flops. You have to decide if you want to be in style or have healthy feet. 

www.zappos.com

www.wikipedia.com

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