What is the first thing you think of when someone mentions the word summer? Is it the beach, laying in the warm sun or slipping on a pair of your favorite flip flops. During the summer months we love to spend our days outside relaxing and enjoying the warm weather. Everyone loves to throw off those winter boots and slip into something light and airy. But are flip flops really the best solution?

Here are a few tips on why you should think about trading in those trusty old flip flops for a pair of sandals.

Support: The construction of a flip flop is very flimsy and unstable. There is really no support for your feet. Research shows that the lack of support also can affect your gait, which may result in foot pain, shin splints and even pain into the hips and back.

Skin Irritation: The thong between the big toe and 2^nd toe can lead to rubbing, blusters, skin irritation and even infections.

Injury: While wearing a flip flop it is very common to stub your toes, stumble, trip and even twist your ankle. With only thin material covering the bottom of your feet you can easily step on something sharp causing scrapes, cuts which may even need stitches.

But have no worries your feet can still enjoy the warm summer air while still being protected. A well fitted sandal offers the support your feet need especially if you have foot problems.  At Advanced Regional Center we strive to provide the best for our patients even including footwear for the summer. We now carry Sandalistas by Aetrex with new mosaic customization technology. Stop in and check them out!

If the shoes you wear are not supportive, over time your lower legs, shins, knees hips and back may cause you pain. To avoid these potential problems, you should follow these tips:

• Shoes lack support if you are able to bend them in the middle.
• Shoes made of leather will mold to your foot thus having more support.
• Athletic shoes made of breathable mesh are good as well.
• You should have good arch support in every shoe you wear.
• Wear high heel shoes for short periods of time.
• Flip flops provide no real support to your feet and may exacerbate foot problems.
• If your shoes are too tight when you buy them, most do not expand during the time you “break them in."
• Have your feet measured when you purchase new shoes. Over time, your feet do change size.
• Shoe purchases should be made late in the day as feet swell.
• Make sure your toes have enough “wiggle room.”

Your feet take a beating every day. Proper footwear can maintain good foot health. At Advanced Regional Center for Ankle and Foot Care, we offer a wide variety of footwear to help you have “Happy Feet.” 

Now that summer temperatures are here, make sure you still wear good supportive footwear, especially when you are doing lawn work, gardening, etc.  Those old beat up tennis shoes may do more harm than good if they have lost their midsole support.

At Advanced Regional Center for Ankle and Foot Care, we would like to honor and thank the men and women in our armed services. They are true hero's for protecting our country. 

For those men and women who are no longer with us, we honor you for your sacrifice to the United States of America. 

God Bless you all on this Memorial Day weekend.