Cheap Slippers Source Of Pain

Tag : foot slippers

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Rubber slippers are as Hawaiian as surfing and the hula. Howeverdoctors warn that wearing flat, flexible slippers like the kind youbuy at your local grocery store can lead to foot problems.

"The foot doesn't get any structure to it when it's walking," saidDr. Ross Taubman, the president of the American Podiatric MedicalAssociation, which is holding its annual Scientific Meeting at theHawaii Convention Center.

Taubman says the lack of support from a pair of flat, rubberslippers can cause heel pain, a condition known as plantar fasciitis . "Heel pain is never normal," says Taubman. "If you have heelpain, that's a reason to go see a podiatrist.

Taubman suggests wearing slippers, or flip-flops as they are morecommonly referred to outside Hawaii, that have adequate archsupport and a cupping shape where the heel of the foot rests.

He also says a proper slipper should flex only at the ball of thefoot. "If the flip-flop is one that you can twist completely all byitself that's not the type of support that you want."

Another reason to avoid flat, rubber slippers is that they canactually change the way a person walks.

"Because of the fact that you have to grip with your foot, yourtoes to keep the shoe on your foot," says Taubman, "you do tend toshorten your stride and not walk in a natural manner."

Andrew may be reached at apereira@khon2.com or ph. 591-4263.