Summer equals flip-flops but for may of us this may not be so good for your back. Especially if you already suffer a current and/or previous back injury.
Walking in flip-flops offers NO foot and ankle support, minimal cushioning, puts you at greater risk of trips and falls, and alters the way we walk, which may result in pain from the feet up legs, into the hips and lower back.
Not only do you have to pinch or curl your toes to keep the shoes from flying off while walking, but you also actually shorten your stride for this purpose, which puts strain on your feet, hips and lower back muscles. Your foot contacts the ground differently in flip-flops, too, with more pressure put on the outside edges and less on the heel. This causes a slight rotation of the lower portion of your leg, which in turn changes the angle of your pelvis and prompts increased torsion of the lower spine. Such changes to your body mechanics can cause stiffness and pain in the lumbar region, which may worsen over time.
Although most cases of back pain resulting from flip-flop wear can be decreased or ended by simply wearing more supportive footwear,