Sunday 23 April 2017

Get Your Feet Summer-Ready : 5 Sandal Wearing Tips

With spring already here and summer about to follow, perhaps you are looking forward to those leisurely strolls on the beach or lazing by the pool. We bet you either have your sandals or flip-flops handy or plan to get a new pair.

However, did you know how the wrong sandal or flip-flop could cause foot pain, blisters and even more discomfort that would require a consultation with an experienced podiatrist with considerable expertise? Here are five tips to get you moving in a sandal or flip-flop in true summery style:

1. Wear not sandals that bend in half:  Do not wear sandals that bend in half, as they cannot offer good arch support. Sandals or flip-flops that fail to give adequate arch support will cause foot fatigue, and can even trigger strain and pain in the lower back, hips and knees. Ideally, you should buy a new pair only after testing whether they fold or bend in half. Those that do are unsuitable for wearing, as they will not provide your feet with adequate support.

2. Remember to break in your sandals: Wear your new sandals for short periods to break them in. You could even put a band-aid between the first and second toes to give your toes a protective cushion. Though breaking in the sandals would be uncomfortable, you should do it to enjoy wearing them comfortably later on.

3. Wear them just for relaxation: Your sandals and flip-flops are not meant for that Disneyland trip or a visit to the mall. Do not sport them when you have to walk long stretches or for a long time; use them instead for activities of relaxation like a stroll on the beach or when lazing by the poolside. Since sandals do not offer support to keep your foot in place, spraining or twisting your ankle or tripping over are common. This makes it important to limit their use and thus avoid chances of strain, sprain and other injuries.

4. Check the sandal straps carefully: Though this may be the last thing on your mind when shopping for sandals, it would help to buy ones with wider, softer straps. You should check if the straps go over bones or have seams at spots that could cause friction blisters. If you are prone to foot pain, you should ideally go for regular sandals and not the thongs; the latter cause your ligaments and tendons a lot of extra stress, which in turn can cause stress fractures, heel pain, tendonitis and ankle problems.

5. Replace sandals with worn-out soles: Just like shoes, your flip-flops and sandals too are subject to wear and tear. Though they might have given your feet adequate support in the past, their worn out and tilted soles may now do more harm than good. This makes it important to inspect your sandals at regular intervals by placing them on a table, and taking a close look at them at eye-level. If they aren’t flat, you should know it’s time to replace them.

Since every foot is different (with respect to shape, arches etc), it is important you try the comfort quotient of new sandals by putting them on before you buy. Instead of buying them online, visit a store and buy the pair after a thorough trial. Remember the tips given above and you will have a great time sporting your flip-flops and sandals.

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