People from Worcestershire are being advised to steer clear of flip flops this summer as temperatures soar.
The warning comes from Massimo Vezzosi, a consultant vascular and endovascular surgeon at Premier Veins, which has a clinic at Alexander House on the High St in Inkberrow.
He said: “Healthy blood flow in the legs depends on the calf muscles contracting with every step to push blood upwards against gravity.
“Unsupportive footwear, such as flip-flops, can reduce this natural pumping action, placing extra pressure on the veins over time.”
Mr Vezzosi explained that flip-flops force wearers to grip the shoe with their toes, disrupting their natural walking pattern and reducing muscle engagement in the feet and calves.
He said: “Flip-flops force an unnatural gait in the foot, reduce muscle engagement, and offer no shock absorption.
“Wearers have to grip the shoe with their toes in order to keep them in place, which means their walking pattern changes, reducing normal muscle engagement in the feet and calves.
“They also offer little to no shock absorption, increasing the strain placed on the legs and veins.”
Varicose veins are swollen or twisted veins visible beneath the skin, often causing pain, heaviness, and swelling in the legs. If left untreated, symptoms can worsen over time.
Mr Vezzosi said: “Varicose veins aren’t something which are going to improve on their own accord, so treating them not only improves the way your legs feel and look but also prevents future health issues.”
He added: “In order to help prevent varicose veins forming, I’d advise people to avoid flip-flops this summer and instead opt for shoes with adequate arch support to help distribute weight correctly and reduce the strain on the legs.”
Premier Veins offers minimally invasive treatments for varicose veins. Its expert team, with a strong foundation in the NHS and research, established Premier Veins in 2012.
Mr Vezzosi is skilled in keyhole procedures such as walk-in-walk-out endovenous treatment, foam sclerotherapy, and radiofrequency ablation.
Premier Veins has been named Best for Varicose Vein Treatments – UK by Global 100 for four consecutive years.
For more information on Premier Veins or to book a consultation, visit premierveins.uk.
