With the temperatures rising, fashionistas are kicking off their heels and slipping on comfortable and airy gladiator sandals and decorative flip flops. Unfortunately, while they may feel they’re giving their feet a rest, New York City podiatrist Dr. Oliver Zong warns that flip flops and flats may do more harm than good!
According to Dr. Zong, “instead of mimicking the movement of walking barefoot and allowing the foot to naturally roll from heel to toe, a soft-soled shoe actually creates more work for the muscles of the foot therefore tiring them out faster.”
During the summer Dr. Zong often sees patients with symptoms of heel pain, plantar fasciitis, or tendonitis of the various muscles of the foot. In fact, a new study published by Auburn University has found that flip flop wearers took shorter steps and their heels hit the ground with less vertical force than when the same walkers wore athletic shoes. According to Dr. Zong, “a soft-soled shoe generally does not allow the foot to naturally roll from heel to toe since it generally has a softer midfoot – and the lack of support will generally cause more injury then good.”
The study also found that people wearing flip flops don’t raise their toes up as much as the legs swing forward to take a step. Dr Zong says that soft-soled shoes call for more gripping of the toes during the gait cycle, and it can cause overuse of the tendons and lead to injury. According to Dr. Zong, to remedy these problems, he recommends patients return to support shoes such as sneakers with a 1-2 inch heel to take the pressure off the plantar fascia (a ligament typically injured and causes heel pain). In the long run, Dr. Zong recommends limiting flip flop use to a few hours a day – the same prescription for women wearing high heels.
About Dr. Oliver Zong Dr. Oliver Zong is a podiatrist in Manhattan’s influential Financial District. As one of the premier cosmetic foot surgeons in the country, he serves as the Director of Surgery at NYC FOOTCARE and is on the Board of Directors at Gramercy Park Surgery Center. Besides traditional and cosmetic foot surgery, Dr. Zong is also an accomplished cryosurgeon and co-founder of the Podiatric Cryosurgery Center of New York. He is an attending physician at New York Hospital Downtown, Wyckoff Heights Medical Center, Cabrini Medical Center, and Gramercy Park Surgery Center. Dr. Zong graduated as Valedictorian from New York College of Podiatric Medicine where he earned his degree, Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM). For more information please visit www.NYCFOOTCARE.com.
Many thanks to Dr. Oliver Zong, for allowing the Raging Rouge Beauty Blog to publish this article on foot health!
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