The Effects of Flip Flops on Your Body (an Infographic)
We live at the beach. It's natural that a lot of us are walking around day-to-day in flip flops. They're comfortable, convenient, and part of the more relaxed at-the-beach vibe we're famous for. The problem is, flip flops can lead to all kinds of pain. I'm talking about foot, ankle, knee, back, and neck pain. All from beach footwear. Who knew? The infographic below does a great job showing exactly how your feet, ankles, neck, and back call all be negatively affected.

If you're going to buy flip flops, here are some tips to buy the best pair:

Problems Caused by Flip Flops

• When wearing flip-flops, people tend to alter their gait by taking shorter steps, which can lead to pain in other areas of the body.
• No arch support due to a spongy or flimsy sole. The soft, spongy sole feels great but it can cause pain in the heels, arches, ball of the foot, and toes. It's common for the foot to roll inward due to the lack of arch support.
• Muscles and tendons have to work overtime. As people walk, they end up gripping their toes (see the infographic below), which makes the muscles and tendons in the feet do all the work. This can lead to tendinitis.

Tips For Choosing And Wearing Flip Flops

• Choose flip flops with sturdier soles for better cushioning. Shoes of any kind should never fold in half or sideways.
• Look for built-in arch support, high quality, soft leather straps to help prevent blisters, and a sturdy sole.
• Limit wearing flip flops for a short period of time, such as walking on the beach, around a pool, in locker room areas, hotel rooms or even to take out the trash.
• Never wear flip flops or leisure shoes while playing sports.
  Try not to wear flip flops while driving, as the foot can slip and the sandal can get lodged under the pedals.
• Do not walk long distances in flip flops.
• Do not ignore irritations between toes where the toe thong rests. Blisters and infections can occur from the strap.
• Use sunscreen on your feet while wearing flip flops.
• Experts recommend replacing thin-soled flip flops every 3-4 months and better flip flops annually.