So I have just had the third patient of the day asking about Flip Flops and whether it's ok to wear them or not. Clearly the beautiful forecast for our May long weekend in Ontario has everyone thinking of summer.

As always in answering similar questions, a large dose of common sense is required. Flip flops were designed for two reasons. The first was financially driven for those with limited money and resources to make shoes. The second is for those living in very warm climates and especially if residing in sandy beach like environments. Subsequently they became popularized with associated surf and beach culture and a generalized lay back appearance.

That's all very well but still doesnt answer the question. Simply put, for those of us who have been diagnosed with any type of structural or functional foot problem it would be best if we limit the amount of time spent in Flip flops. By that I don't mean Never wear them, but choose your moments when they are best suited. For example going to the beach, hanging out pool side or when limited amounts of walking are planned. Even for those with "normal feet" the softer, flatter, very worn, cheaper varieties of filp flops are all believed to have harmful effects on the feet.

The good folks at the APMA have been very kind to provide a fact sheet and indeed recomend some models of flip flops over others as being more supportive than others.

This video also deos a terrific job of outlining the idea "feetures" to look for in a good Fip Flop. Have a beautiful and safe weekend where ever you are.

Another nerve racking experience at the hands of Ted Lehman from Rogers television show Inside Brant this past Tuesday May 8th. This time the subject was raising awareness of Foot Health, and more specifically this time we were addressing the heavily neglected area of childrens foot health. Even with the kind indulgence of the host we barely managed to scratch the surface in two segments of the show.

Hopefully in the very near future we will be blogging a more indepth section on this utilizing the Pedigait system to very clearly illustrate the importance and benifits of acting quickly having identified structural instability in devloping feet

Congradulations on the Kick Off for international Foot Health Month to the Ontario Society of Chiropodists. They marked the occassion with a ceremonial kick off to the event with Toronto Argonaut kicker Noel Prefontaine and a return by past Ontario College of Chiropodists president Andrew Springer. Despite the damp conditions the event was very well attended by medical professionals and political representitives.

Following our weekend participation in events hosted by New Balance at their Oakville location and the OPMA, we at The Podiatry Associates will be continuing our participation in this International Foot Health Month tomorrow. We will be devoting our monthly appearance on the daytime Rogers cable show "Inside Brant", to subject of Foot Health Month and more specifically to the subject of pediatric and juvenile foot health. Later in the month we hope to be doing a similar venture  on our monthly visit with the "DayTime" crew on Roger local television station in Mississauga.

Once again we were delighted to participate in the International Foot Health Month event sponsered by New Balance and the OPMA hosted at NewBalance stores all over the GTA last Saturday May the 5th 2012. We were in residence with Oakville store manager Ian and his staff and were kept busy non stop right through until early afternoon. Many attendees were glad to avail of some free advise and diagnostic skills. Others were seeking professional advice with regards their footwear choices in relation to their specific foot structure. A lot of questions were directed at the subject of custom functional orthotics versus prefabricated insoles, their indications and limitations.

It was refreshing and fun to be able to co-operate with the technical expertise of the NewBalance staff and offer suggestions and solutions to the presenting challenges. All in all a very fun and informative experience for everyone,  I came away with useful updates on the recent developments in the New Balance line and especially the progression made in their Dunham shoes.

Once more my thanks to both NewBalance and to the Ontario Podiatric Medical Association for having invited Mississauga Podiatry Associates to return to this superb event and we look forward to continuing to promote foot health awareness in the future.