How to wear flip flops…
July 28, 2010
It’s summer. And a hot one at that. Summer means hanging out, food on the grille, and shorts and flip flops. Don’t you love flip-flops? 
I know I do. Unfortunately, my feet don’t always appreciate it the next day!
The problem with wearing flip-flops is that it requires your toes to work a little harder. The toes bend in order to “grip” the flip-flops. It is ever so slight, but this mild toe flexion over time can cause your feet to develop fibrotic adhesions in the soles of your feet. This may then lead to a problem known as plantar fasciitis- a very uncomfortable foot problem that usually present itself as severe pinpoint pain in your heel early in the morning.
In order to avoid this problem there are three things you can do:
First, stretch! Keep your ankles, calf muscles, and foot joints loose and mobile.
Second, get fitted for a good pair of supportive shoes and or orthotics. After a long summer day of flip-flops, wear these shoes in the evening. This will diminish the effects. Think of wearing flip-flops as making a withdraw from the health account of your foot. Whereas, wearing orthotics is like making a deposit in that health account. Keep this account balanced.
Third, roll a tennis ball (eventually a golf ball) on the bottom of your foot. Go back and forth a few times everyday to help keep the adhesions at bay.
An ounce of prevention…
Once you have plantar fasciitis, you will most likely need professional assistance to help you resolve the injury. We have had success treating many patients with this disorder.
Dr. Jerry
