the curse of flip flops

I feel the need to make a public service announcement stating the reflexive and body ills that wearing flip flops cause. I want to add that these things don't occur in all people who were itty bitty shoe-like things, but I feel the need to discuss. So since it is my blog you have to listen to me, or skip this entry and move on :D

Remember the stages of walking? Heel strike, weight flow and toe off. Can you guess which ones don't happen with flip flops, itty bitty sandals and other strappy things that barely exist?

If you guessed all of them you'd be correct. Most people don't do a heel strike because there's no padding, the shoe might come off and the toe piece might become dislodged leading to tripping. The flow of weight doesn't happen because you never started a proper step, and you are most likely shuffling keeping weight solely on the ball of the foot, scraping your way through the day. (It makes a good noise though) And of coarse you wouldn't toe off at the end of the step because Hello? shoe would go flying and then... and well then you'd just look dumb.

Now you can get around some of this by gripping your toes. That way you could do the stages of walking, but then you'd eventually end up with lovely foot pathologies like claw or hammer toes, a tight tibialis anterior, and cramps in the arches of your feet.

Reflexively the ills of this types of shoe include: lung issues, lungs also include grief issues in Chinese medicine, sinus congestion, headaches, reduced endocrine function, (pituitary, thyroid, hypothalamus, pineal) digestion woes like constipation or irritable bowl, breast health, spine issues (especially thoracic and cervical spine). And that's just the major reflexive effects.

Emotionally it could lead to dragging, feelings of depression, tiredness, heaviness, inability to cope, inability to be happy, and many many more. Why? One because of the reflexes you are effecting and two because of the posture you are forced to take when utilizing these types of shoes.

So wear your cute slip on strappy sandals to get from point A to point B and do not use them as a everyday practical shoe, because ladies (and gents) they aren't any better for your health than a 6 inch heel.

As a bodyworker there are two times a year I have an influx of foot pain clients and they are when the seasons change to sun and back to rain. Why because people have just changed their shoes. So if you have complains about foot pain, leg pain or increased back pain with no injury or change in activity of your clients. Ask if they've change the shoes they wear most often. If the answer is yes, start an education process and get them hooked up with info in this blog or other places so they can wear sexy cute shoes (in moderation) but maintain healthy strong feet (permanently)

Walking

I have just returned from a three week vacation in which the majority of my time was spent walking. Here are a few things that saved me from pain and helped me keep going.

Good Shoes: I will never stop saying this. Your shoes must tie or strap to your feet so that extra tension is not exerted trying to keep your feet in your shoes. They must have proper amount of room for your toes. If your toes are squished you won't be able to take a full step and tension will develop in your foot, calves, spine, and neck. Your shoes must be flexible and free from metal shanks. Flexibility allows for flow of weight through the whole foot as well as more comfort while standing in the lines at Disney World.

Socks The first day out I did not wear socks because I thought they looked dumb with my skirt. Boy did I regret that decision. I ended up with the beginnings of a blister. I quickly bandaged the area and put my socks on for the rest of the trip no longer caring if I looked stupid. After all I think I would have looked a lot more stupid waddling around gingerly with blistered feet than striding around with socks on.

Self Foot Massage: Ahh the joy of foot rubs. Unfortunately it doesn't work as well on your own but it saved me from leg cramps (I skipped a day and woke up at 3 am with a charlie horse in my calf, I did not skip another day) Basically I just worked the arch of the foot, the diaphragm line (reflexively) and worked lotion into the whole bottom of my foot. I didn't spend more that 5 minutes per foot on most nights because I was tired, but those extra 10 minute of attention a day really helped my overall health and ability to function the next day.

Foot Exercises: Ankle circles are a life saver. They can extend your ability to walk or stand . Just simply rotating your ankles is amazing! Be sure you are isolating just the ankle and not rotating from the knee down. That will feel nice as well, and you can do it in addition, but you need to pay specific attention to just the ankle. All muscles that move the foot come through the ankle.

Do the Three Stages of Walking: This exercises all leg and foot muscles as well as the rest of the body and allows for the maximum usage of musculature, skeleton, and rest for muscles with every step. Making your feet, legs, and spine efficient and happy. Here's what the three stages look like:
One: Heel Strike, the back part of the heel should be the first thing to strike the ground. This gives the calf muscle maximum stretch and begins the flow of the spine at the sacrum.
Two: Flow through the arch. Flow should start at the heel and move along the outside of the foot until around the ball of the foot where most weight is then transferred to the inside arch to be directed out in...
Three: Toe off, simply stated the toes disperse weight pushing off, allowing the opposite leg a brief rest before it begins the process all over again. This is the stage most often left out as people insist on wearing shoes that confine their toes, or slip on shoes that add gripping of the toes. No usage of toes equals no added propulsion or brief rest in your step. To be able to do this stage of walking do not modify anything thing you normally do, just remind yourself occasionally while walking that "I have toes" it may sound corny but it works.

Your spine is also being moved in each of the stages of walking which allows for the spinal fluid to lubricate all joints and bring in nutrients to the cells and your central nervous system. Removing any of the above stages of walking not only hurts your feet it deteriorates your entire body, depriving it of blood, metabolic waste removal, and vital energy.

So begin your summer right and add any or all of the above to your routine and maximize your ability to see the sites. Let's celebrate a summer free of foot pain!