American Podiatric Medical Association Recommends Chaco

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July 14, 2008

American Podiatric Medical Association Recommends Chaco

The staff at Rock/Creek have all been wearing Chaco sandals and Chaco flip-flops for years. We adore them. We're enamored by them. They're like Mama's mac and cheese; comfort food for our feet. There is no other universally worn brand of sandal or flip-flop at Rock/Creek than Chaco. Part of the reason is the comfort and style, another part is the knowledge that by wearing Chacos we are supporting a well-constructed product produced by a company with a deep environmental conscience. Then there is a third benefit that is literally felt deep within the core of us all - the health benefits associated with wearing a sturdy, supportive pair of Chacos. Recently the foremost association of foot professionals, the American Podiatric Medical Association, released their "Ten Tips to Foil a Flip-Flop Fiasco." In the article the association warned about the common problems associated with summertime flip-flip use. They also recommended ways to mitigate those problems and still live in summertime flip-flop comfort. One of their top flip-flop do's, "look for flip-flops that hold APMA's Seal of Acceptance, such as Chaco's Flip Collection." Yes, we've been validated! The entire article is listed below.

Also, keep an eye out for the upcoming announcement of Chaco and Rock/Creek's 2008 sandal recycling program. Bring in your old, but clean, shoes, boots or sandals from July 18th to August 2nd and your old pair will be donated to poverty stricken communities throughout the world. Did I mention that you will also get 20% off the purchase of a new pair of Chacos. The program has had great results in the past and we hope to better them this year.

TEN TIPS TO FOIL A 'FLIP-FLOP FIASCO' FROM THE AMERICAN PODIATRIC MEDICAL ASSOCIATION
Podiatrists give advice on shopping for and wearing flip-flops

Bethesda, MD -Summertime immediately evokes care-free images of backyard barbeques, relaxing poolside and sporting the ultimate "beach-bum" accessory - the flip-flop. But before jumping into any pair of stylish flip-flops, it's important to realize that wearing them can easily lead to a variety of serious foot injuries.

"There are many flip-flops on the market that offer little to nothing in terms of arch support, stability and shock absorption," said Dr. Ross Taubman, President of the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA). "Foot-related injuries due to flip-flop wear have been on the rise. Opting to wear a pair of cheaply constructed flip-flops puts the wearer at risk for injuries such as arch pain, tendinitis and sprained ankles."
Pay attention to the following 10 flip-flop "do's" and "don'ts" to avoid falling victim to a "flip-flop fiasco:"

Flip-Flop Do's:

-Do look for a flip-flop that is made of high-quality, soft leather. This material, unlike plastic or foam, will minimize the potential for blisters and other kinds of irritation.

-Do look for flip-flops that hold APMA's Seal of Acceptance, such as Chaco's Flip Collection and Wolky's Serenity, part of their Zen Collection. Evaluated by a committee of APMA podiatric physicians, these products are shown to allow for the most normal foot function and promote quality foot health. For more foot-friendly choices, visit APMA's Seal page.

-Do gently bend the flip-flop from end to end, ensuring that it bends naturally at the ball of the foot. Shoes should never fold in half.

-Do wear a sturdy pair of flip-flops when walking around a public pool, at the beach, in hotel rooms and in locker room areas. Walking barefoot can expose foot soles to plantar warts and athlete's foot.

-Do ensure that your foot doesn't hang off of the edge of the flip-flop.

Flip-Flop Don'ts:

-Don't re-wear flip-flops year after year. Thoroughly inspect older flip-flops for wear. If they show signs of severe wear in the soles, it's time to discard them.

-Don't ignore irritation between toes, where the toe thong fits - this can lead to blisters and even worse irritation.

-Don't wear flip-flops while walking long distances. Even the sturdiest flip-flop offers little in terms of shock absorption and arch support.

-Don't do yard work while wearing flip-flops. Always wear a shoe that fully protects the foot when doing outside activities like mowing the lawn or using a weed-eater.

-Don't ever play sports in flip-flops. You can easily twist your foot or ankle, leading to sprains or breaks.

About the APMA
Founded in 1912, the American Podiatric Medical Association is the nation's leading professional society for foot and ankle specialists. The association has component societies in 53 locations in the U.S. and its territories and a membership of close to 11,500 doctors of podiatric medicine. For free foot health information, visit www.apma.org.