Keep on Your Toes: How to Wear Flip-Flops Safely
Avoid Foot Pain and Other Flip-Flop Fiascos with These Simple Tips
Bethesda, MD--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,” said Michael King, DPM, president of APMA. “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.”
Looking to avoid a flip-flop fiasco? View the video below for a list of helpful flip-flop tips:
For a list of flip-flops with the APMA's Seal of Acceptance, click here.
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Founded in 1912, the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) is the nation’s leading and recognized professional organization for doctors of podiatric medicine (DPMs). DPMs are podiatric physicians and surgeons, also known as podiatrists, qualified by their education, training and experience to diagnose and treat conditions affecting the foot, ankle and structures of the leg. The medical education and training of a DPM includes four years of undergraduate education, four years of graduate education at an accredited podiatric medical college and two or three years of hospital residency training. APMA has 53 state component locations across the United States and its territories, with a membership close to 12,000 podiatrists. All practicing APMA members are licensed by the state in which they practice podiatric medicine. For more information, visit www.apma.org.