SHOE INTERVENTION FOR SANDAL SEASON

It's sandal season and time for a shoe intervention for the good health of your feet.  Many women seem to think that the style of sandal as seen in the image to the left will bring relief and freedom for bunions and hammertoes, when in fact this style of sandal will only exacerbate these conditions and contribute to further foot problems.

As discussed in a previous shoe intervention post, much like flip-flops, these thin soled sandals without arch support or protection from pounding on the pavement contribute to quick callus build up, cause the feet to pronate (roll inward), and aggravate existing foot, ankle, knee, hip and back problems. In addition to all of that, they don't allow you to walk with a normal gait - toes scrunch up, gripping for support as there is nothing to stabilize the foot upon movement. Oh yes, and then there is the extreme foot fatigue that comes with walking in this type of sandal for extended periods. 

These photos make you wonder about

the intelligence of the individuals
wearing these sandals and what

happened to their self-respect.

Below is an example of one of the
ways you can develop claw toes or

hammertoes.

Now the aesthetics - if the above information doesn't deter you from wearing this style of sandal, how about the extreme grotesqueness of how bunions and toe deformities are displayed in them. These sandals are in fashion, but they are not a smart  or attractive choice. The same applies to the high heel version, including all of the points above.



SANDAL TIPS

• Look for sandals that offer some arch support and cushioning in the footbed 
• Avoid strappy sandals that cut across the bunions, put pressure on them, or allow them to poke out between straps
• A strap over the instep will hold the foot back against the heel and prevent it from slipping forward, and will also prevent the heel from slipping out (note, flimsy straps on ill fitting sandals won't do the job)
• The shape of the sandal should be as close to the shape of your foot as possible
• Sandals for extensive walking should have arch support and shock absorbing soles
• Avoid extreme heel heights - but if you won't, then at least avoid walking in them for extended periods, or consider platforms or wedge heels as they take some pressure off the balls of the feet 

If you haven't already, check out this post: Celebrity Feet, A Shocking Eye-Opener.

Coming in the next post, tips on how to camouflage bunions with the right style of sandal and maintain some dignity . 

SHOE INTERVENTION

All it takes is for a celebrity to be seen wearing something stupid to turn whatever it is into a fashion trend; and since many women are prone to the “monkey see, monkey do” method in keeping up with fashion trends, they often make choices that have little to do with what actually looks good on them or makes any sense at all. Hence, the shoe intervention posts must begin.

Let’s start with UGG boots – UGG truly being short for ugly. All that seems to matter is that Kate Moss, Oprah Winfrey, Paris Hilton, and Pamela Anderson among other celebrities, have been seen wearing them. One could care less the manufacturer advises that they not be worn in wet or muddy conditions and are impractical for snowy weather. Young and old trudge around in them even when sopping wet, with heels caved into the footbed, in –30 or +30 degree weather. It amazes me when I see anyone wearing them in public. They look like house slippers with shafts, and look ridiculous with any outfit, as would house slippers. If all this isn’t enough to convince you UGG boots are useless, how about the fact that they are flat, have no support inside at all, and will only contribute to foot problems, especially if you have flat feet. 

UGGs are a no-win situation - aesthetically unappealing, impractical, and bad for your feet. 

Next - Flip-flops, not everyday footwear, but once summer arrives many seem to think they are. They belong on the beach, at the pool, in the locker room or gym shower. They are not meant to be walked in for extended periods of time. Pounding on the pavement with thin soled flip-flops quickly hardens the skin on the feet, causing calluses and heel fissures (cracked dried out skin). They offer no protection from rocks, sharp objects, or people stepping on your feet. Without arch support they aggravate the effects of any existing strain on the legs and feet from too much weight or weak muscle tone. The foot can end up pronating (rolling inward) and can cause pain in the heels, arches, ball of the foot, and toes (another bad choice for flat feet). Believe it or not, flip-flops are the biggest cause of sprained ankles during summer months. Most people shuffle when they walk in flip-flops due to the toe scrunching to keep them on. Not only is the shuffle unattractive, it is bad for you; not walking with a normal gait can lead to problems in the hip or lower back. For those with bunions, flip-flops are the absolute worst thing you could wear, and will only make them worse - end of rant.

Orthaheel Sandals - a good choice!

With all this said, I am still well aware that flip-flops are a summer staple and most likely never to be forsaken. So I suggest replacing the classic flimsy flip-flops with ones that have heavy-duty soles and arch support, and they will serve you much better. 

For the good of your feet, more shoe interventions to come!