For most of us, summer has become synonymous with flip-flops and other flat footwear.

But any podiatrist will tell you these aren’t the healthiest choices when it comes to shoes. In fact, plantar fasciitis — the inflammation of a band of tissue on the bottom of the foot that causes heel pain — has actually come to be called “flip-flop disease.”

“Flip-flops keep your feet from functioning biomechanically, as they’re designed to,” says Dr. B. Chad Shelley, a podiatrist with St. Joseph Foot Clinic. “Essentially, they’re not good for feet.”

Another common problem caused by flip-flops and other shoes that don’t offer arch support, he adds, is capsulitis — inflammation around the joints in the ball of the foot. Sometimes these problems can be corrected simply by switching to more supportive shoes, but “more often than not, they’re going to bring people into my office.”

Other issues can arise from unsupportive footwear, as well, due to the fact that flat shoes tend to overwork the middle of the foot. And in the case of flip-flops specifically, researchers from Auburn University in Alabama reported last summer that those wearing them take shorter steps — resulting in more strain on the body than if they were to wear supportive shoes — and also curl their toes to keep flip-flops on, which leads to a sort of shuffle and keeps certain foot muscles from functioning.

The bottom line, of course, is to wear supportive shoes if you’re going to be doing much walking. The good news for flip-flop lovers is that some, such as Birkenstocks and Crocs, do provide decent arch support.

“It’s becoming more easy to find them,” Tyler Schmidt, assistant manager at Famous Footwear in St. Joseph, says. “There are a lot that are still flat, but there are also those like Dr. Scholl’s that are good for people looking for comfort.”

Dr. Akilis Theoharidis, a podiatrist with Heartland Health, says he tends to take his children shopping for summer shoes at stores like Dick’s Sporting Goods and Foot Locker. Although shoes at places like these generally aren’t inexpensive, he says the cost is worth it considering that shoe quality can affect not only feet but also a person’s legs, hips and back.

“Your feet are your base, and if they’re not supported, you’re going to have pain farther up,” he says. “People tend to not spend enough money on good, quality shoes. I tell them they should spend money on a good base and good support so they don’t have to spend money on doctor visits.”

Lifestyles reporter Erin Wisdom can be reached ewisdom@npgco.com.