Cane Free

The summer before last, my mother called to tell me that she read about these new flip flops that actors and actresses were wearing. They were being worn by Hollywood because they added a benefit to everyday walking...they provided a workout by replicating the effects of using a wobble board. The shoes my mother wanted me to give a try? FitFlops

She was especially interested in telling me about them because one of the other advantages of wearing them is reduced pain while walking. By the time she had called to tell me this, I needed my cane continously. At first the cane, not only helped me to keep my balance while walking, it also helped me not to be in as much pain. This was no longer the case. The pain had become so intense, that I would be sweating and red in the face after walking or standing within five minutes. On field trips with students, I began using a wheel chair. My trips out to purchase anything had been halted to non-existent. I was depending on my husband more and more, something I didn't want to have to do. He was already doing so much for me.

The year before, I had gone to a podiatrist after a rheumatologist noticed during an exam that I had extremely high arches. I began getting my hopes up when my new specialist went over my test results. I had periphal neuropathy in both feet. He thought a pair of orthotics might make a difference in the pain that radiated from my back down to my feet. He was also hopeful that wearing the prescribed orthotics would bring me relief in my lower body numbness and tingling sensations. Then I asked how much.. $400…four hundred dollars that my insurance would not cover. I hated to see us put so much money to insoles that I wasn't even sure would work for me. Yet, I hated to ignore what a specialist was telling me that I needed. What if the orthotics could relieve some of the pain? Could I afford not to wear them???


My husband, who is always extremely determined when it comes to my health or getting me something, began to investigate. He found a website that carried custom ordered orthotics for $99. Immediately, he ordered the orthotic kit. When the kit arrived, I carefully placed each foot into the molding and returned the moldings in the prepaid box. The moldings were used to make orthotics custom fit to my arches. Once the orthotics were in, I was anxious to put them in my shoes and give them a try. For the past decade I had already tried gel, padded, and magnetic inserts. All gave some relief, but none of them were enough to help the pain that I would now endure while on my feet.


The orthotics brought needed relief. I WAS more comfotable. I was elated...I could buy groceries again, enjoy shopping, walk the streets of Colonial Williamsburg (a favorite that I loved doing at the time, but couldn't). Maybe, I could begin hiking again? Something we hadn't done in over a year. I was still using my cane but walking with less pain. After a few minutes (longer than five minutes or less before), I was having intense pain again. The pain in my back was excruciating.


I continued wearing my orthotics, not wanting to cause anymore damage to the nerves in my feet. I would sleep with high quality magnetic shoe inserts inside my socks at night (still do) to help relieve restless leg (more like restless body) syndrome and pain. I hadn't been able to stop using the cane. I continued to need a wheelchair if I needed to walk much distance.


I had also worked with three different physical therapists by the time I got my mother's call. I usually found myself in more pain from the sessions due to their lack of knowledge about spasicity. A pair of flip flops to relieve back pain after all I had already tried???


I am so thankful that my mother told me about something that sounded too good to be true. A year after purchasing my first pair of FitFlops, I am still cane free and have lost sixty-five pounds and four clothing sizes. Being able to get around more freely has definitely helped with the weight loss but so has the wobble board effect that the FitFlops have engineered in them. Look for an upcoming post discussing more about the benefits I have seen from wearing FitFlops.

I would love to hear your comments on the following: What have you or a loved one found to help ease back and/or leg pain?