Summer is the perfect time to kick off your socks and shoes and just let your feet be free. After a long, cold winter (especially here in Minnesota anyway), kicking off boots or closed toe shoes and slipping into a nice pair of sandals. For some of us though, this can be kind of tricky. Are you like me and love flip flops, but notice that your heel hurts when you wear them? Do you need extra support, but not sure what to look for in a sandal?
- Choose sandals with a back that hold your foot securely. Any type of sandal that is loose on your foot (including a Birkenstok) will cause you to contract your foot slightly with each step to keep it in place. This causes increased tension in your feet that can lead to plantar fasciitis, knee pain and poor spinal health.
- Ensure that you have proper arch support in your sandals. If not, speak to one of the doctors about an inexpensive “Superfeet” insert that can be placed on the foot-bed of your sandal. Be careful about bare feet. Many of us love to kick off our shoes this time of year, however, if you are on your feet in the kitchen for long periods of time this can be hard on your joints…and they may start to talk to you.
Flip-flops, Crocs, and other flat sandals can cause stress and strain on the arch of the foot. These types of summer shoes lack arch support, and can lead to pain in the heel, arch or ball of the foot. You do not have to completely avoid flip-flops, but do not make them your main footwear choice. Wear a supportive tennis shoe whenever possible, or choose a sandal with a sturdy arch. Never go barefoot, especially if you are prone to developing inflammation of your heel, known as plantar fasciitis.
Kaitlyn Grell, LPTA
Physical Therapist Assistant
Physical Therapy Consultants, Inc.
PTC_therapy May 15th, 2019
Posted In: General