Get Rid of Your Flip Flops

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Most people are aware of the damage that high heels can do to your body, but flip flops are rarely considered damaging. However, if you wear flip flops frequently you will suffer the consequences. We do a lot of rehab work with our clients and one thing that constantly comes up is the need to correct a large array of problems that arise from wearing flip flops. Yes, flip flops. Let me explain.

There are two typical compensation patterns that the body comes up with when wearing shoes with no heel strap. First, instead of opening the toes in a normal gait pattern, it will flex them down in an attempt to hold on to the shoe. This changes the very first contact with the ground, and it leads to a very tight arch. Secondly, after a while, the body gets very tired of holding on to the flip flops like this and it will shift your external hip rotation to make you walk duck footed in order to drag the shoes along. Over time this will lead to your adductors acting as hamstrings and glutes. Subsequently, your glutes will atrophy, your lower back will take a beating, and everything upstream will pay the price as well.

If it does not seem like a big deal to you, it is probably because you think that running around with no glutes is totally fine. In reality, it leads to all kinds of problems, injuries, aches, pains, and surgeries to replace joints and tears. If you pretend to be an athlete for an hour a day at the gym, but condition your body to perform a dysfunctional movement pattern for the rest of the day, guess what method will win? (Hint: it’s the one you don’t want!)

My recommendation, having dealt with clients that have an astonishing number of issues that stem from wearing flip flops, is to ditch them completely. Throw them out if you truly care about your health and performance. Opt in for shoes with a heel strap and you will be much better off.

Hope that helps, respect 🙏🏼🔥👊🏼