by Wwhen the hot weather is approaching, the sandals have their share of use. Sometimes this can be to your detriment, however, given the flatness, stability and general lack of support that many sandals offer. It is not uncommon to find that your favorite “comfortable” sandals are actually starting to cause some foot pain. To avoid the foot pain associated with sandals and make the best seasonal shoes purchase — there are some ideal features to look out for in a pair of sandals.
Sandals tend to bend in the middle, says Patrick McEneaneny, DPS, owner and CEO of special footwear in Northern Illinois. “When the midsole bends too much, it increases the pressure load on the ball of your ankles and toes.” Constant pressure on these areas can cause pain in the joints of your toes, ankles, or feet — depending on the individual. In addition, weak sandals do not provide stability and, when wet, can make you more prone to tripping or falling.
So what should you do? There are podiatrist-approved sandals that you can use to keep your dog from barking when walking with some sandals.
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4 sandal features that can help protect you from foot pain
1. Material that supports and softens your feet
“I rarely say a sandal is a good sandal,” admits Dr. McEneaney. But when it comes to sandals, Birkenstocks or other cork sandals, they may be better for certain foot types than regular, non-supportive sandals. This is because they can provide more support to your foot than sandals that are flat, hard and / or very thin. A cork, or some kind of thick sole, can also provide shock absorption, which is necessary to protect your heels and plantar fascia from repetitive shocks.
Avoiding excessive rigidity in the material is also very important, according to Alissa Kuizinas, DPS, a certified podiatrist who specializes in holistic and functional foot health. When the sole of the shoe is too stiff and rigid, it can be very hard on the foot muscles and cause pain over time.
2. A heel with a sweatshirt for stability
Regular shoes help keep your feet safe and restrained. When you have a sandal that has no barriers between the sides of your foot and the ground, you can twist your ankle, stumble, slip your heel off your shoe, or injure your feet with the pressure of hitting the sidewalk. , Dr. McEneaney explains. Heeled sandals are a great feature because they offer some support and stability, says Dr. McEneaney.
3. Thick, varied, pressure-dispersing straps
Belt placement is also important to consider, says Dr. McEneaney. If you think physics, you want straps that are wide and flat on the surface of your foot. Flip flops are some of the worst offenders because they often have long, thin straps near your toes. Just like the way a messenger bag gathers all the weight of the bag on this strap, so the strap of your shoe weighs on your foot. When you have wider, more evenly spaced straps, the power of your gait can be evenly distributed throughout your foot.
When you have a thinner and more unique strap, it can exert a lot of force in this one area. This is not ideal because you want the pull of the shoe to be evenly distributed on the foot.
A heel strap is also useful to prevent the shoe from falling and to keep your shoe safe.
4. Proper application
Last but certainly not least, the importance of wearing the right shoes. Wearing shoes of the wrong size can cause foot pain and injury. If the heel of your sandal is too small, the straps feel too tight, you have a lot of blisters firmly or the shoe feels too loose or too tight – go to a shoe store and have them measure your foot. Putting shoes on accurately is one of the most important ways to prevent injuries and pain.
These tips can help you prevent foot pain associated with sandals while allowing you to roam in style. Keep these features in mind when shopping for seasonal sandals – your feet will definitely thank you for it.
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