Flip-flops to blame for foot problems

If Florida had an official state shoe, it would have to be the flip-flop, right?

You see people wearing them everywhere -- work, school and, of course, the beach.

According to a new study, the flip-flop could be the root to foot problems in America.

Juliana Luciano of Orlando may be headed to the beach, but she tends to wear her flip-flops full-time.

"I wear them to work, I wear them to wherever I need to go, the supermarket, wherever I need to go, garbage, throw out the garbage, I wear flip-flops, it's Florida, why not?" said Luciano.

Florida does love the inexpensive shoe, from strolls around town, to even while riding a bike.

"I love flip flops, I wear them all the time, I guess the only reason I like them is because you just slip them on and ready to go," said another flip-flop supporter, Anna Hansard.

But with convenience, comes pain for some people.

"I would say flip flops do hurt on occasion, because they don't have any arch support," said Rockledge resident Heather Fields.

According to the National Foot Health Assessment 2012, 78 percent of adults over the age of 21 experience a foot problem.

Foot doctor David Simonson in Rockledge said there are two big reasons why -- the number of obese people in America and the type of shoe you wear.

"They're flat and there's nothing to control the arch and support the arch of your feet," explained Dr. David Simonson.

The flip-flop being one of the worst offenders for your feet.

"They can slip from underneath you, they make you walk differently because you have to keep the flip-flops on your feet when you're walking," said Dr. Simonson.

He recommends people only wear flip flops occasionally, like when you're going to the beach. Otherwise it should be walking shoes, or sandals on your feet.

But that won't stop some as flip-flops now come in more feet friendly shapes.

Dr. Simonson said flip-flops can cause pain in your knee, back, hip, as well as muscle aches in the legs and feet.