Follow us on Instagram
Like us on Facebook
Shipping and returnsWhat’s the best treatment for heel pain?
There are several treatment options for heel pain. Research shows that the best approach is to combine several therapies for best result. These include stretching, massage, ice therapy, strengthening exercises and custom orthotics.
Do orthotics work for foot pain?
Yes. Orthotics work by placing your foot in its most optimal functional position. This allows all the structures to function, as they should; avoiding muscle imbalance and reducing pain.
What conditions cause ball of foot pain?
There are many conditions that cause ball of foot pain including metatarsalgia, Morton’s neuroma, capsulitis, arthritis, clawed toes, bunions and plantar plate tears. Contact your local podiatrist for more information.
How can lower back pain cause foot problems?
There are several ways that lower back pain can impact the foot. Nerve root issues in the lower back such as bulging discs or compressed nerves can radiate along the sciatic nerve and into the foot. Differences in hip levels can contribute to foot pain through jarring in the joints or increased pressures when the foot lands.
What is the difference between a heel spur and plantar fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is damage to the thin band of tissue that connects the heel of the foot to the ball of the foot. It can develop as a result of repeat stress, injury or overuse of the foot.
A heel spur is a calcium deposit or growth on the heel bone that develops where the muscles in the foot connect to bone. These can often be asymptomatic but may become irritated due to extended periods of strain on the foot.
Why are my toes numb?
Numb toes can be related to metabolic, nerve and biomechanical issues. Peripheral neuropathy often caused by diabetes causes numbness beginning at the toes and moving up. Compressed nerves can cause numbness further down the limb into specific areas of the foot. Poor foot mechanics can lead to the collapse of the forefoot arch, putting pressure on nerves in the foot.
Why is big toe movement so important in total body function and prevention of pain?
The big toe joint allows for proper activation of the arch, as well as propulsion and shock absorption. If this joint is not working effectively it can lead to painful complications such as osteoarthritis and bunions.
Why Slappa’s Thongs work from a podiatry perspective for summer
Slappa’s thongs provide a great alternative to orthotics during the summer months. They provide arch support and will protect your feet during hot summer days.
Are all podiatrists the same? How do I find the right one for me?
No, podiatrists can specialize in different areas such as biomechanics, diabetes, rheumatology and pediatrics. Ring you local podiatry association to see who will be suitable for you.
One simple exercise to strengthen the arch
Toe raises strengthen the main muscle that hold up the arch- Tibilas Posterior. By completing three sets a day your foot strength will increase and reduce the need for orthoses.
Hope this information is helpful and remember it is in your best interest to investigate pain and dysfunction and come see experts like us at Sole Therapy.
If you are not in Sydney you can talk to your local podiatry state association and they will happily guide you to a local podiatrist that may help your pain.
“For excellent free foot tips and advice like us on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/SoleTherapyPtyLtd/and follow us on Instagram @soletherapysydney or check out our website www.soletherapy.com.au. Slappa’s Thongs are available from Sole Therapy or you can buy online www.slappasthongs.com.au/buy-slappas
Thank you to Nicole Reilly, Victoria Kokotastsios and all the team at Sole Therapy for being our Guest Blogger this month and answering our customers questions.
Please don’t strike me down with a lightning bolt for misquoting the bible! I’m not getting a God complex. Promise!
I’m just a humble thong creator. All things thongs are my passion though. You know this because you kindly follow my blog, and/or the Slappa’s Thongs newsletters and many of you are with us on Facebook. Thanks for being there, reading, commenting and sharing ❤
So, yes, we all know Denise is thong-mad, but maybe you don’t know why …
Many people think I got this way because Slappa’s Thongs is my business. And that after years and years of thong immersion, I’ve become an incurably thong-manic. I’m not denying that’s the case, though the truth, about my condition, is embedded in my sole (yes that’s spell-checked correctly).
And it’s why I started Slappa’s …
Years ago, I was selling a brand of thongs which looked good – and for those with no feet foibles – felt good enough, so long as you didn’t expect Birkenstock comfort.
By feet foibles, I mean everything from soles that needed arch support, to feet with serious issues like Plantar Fasciitis, heel pain, or just tired feet.
People started asking me for a thong that could really deliver. Something that anyone could wear, each, and every day, with the comfort of a Birkenstock (except if you wear your Birkies in the water the cork gets waterlogged!), the support of a podiatry product and of course, it had to look great too.
Hmmm, I thought, the thongs I’m selling don’t do any of that, they’re just thongs. And I couldn’t find any other thongs that met that wish list.
Plus, I had a motivation of my own to find a solution to what thong lovers were asking for. I needed arch support too, but couldn’t find an affordable product that looked and felt good. After having my children and not having good footwear, I also started suffering from sciatica.
There’s nothing that puts you in your customers’ shoes faster than sharing your customers’ pain!
So, I started designing and producing the thong of all thongs. It’s still an Australian owned family business. I don’t just stand by my product, I literally stand on my product! Every day. The arch support in Slappa’s has been so good that I only really notice my sciatica when I am not wearing Slappa’s. They keep me aligned.
Why do you need to know about Other Thongs?
What I really want you to know, is that some Other Thongs can easily be mistaken for Slappa’s Thongs. They may look just as pretty. Exact same colours sometimes. But the good looks are only skin deep.
If you want an affordable, good looking pair of thongs that will last and love your feet to their soles (and back), make sure to check that they’re Slappa’s Thongs. Does it really matter? Hell yes! And here’s why it matters for you …
The material Other Thongs are made from can be too soft, so they flatten and lose their support and are more prone to shrinking. If you’ve ever worn Other Thongs to walk across stones and felt them (the stones not the thongs!), you’ll know what I mean. This can also lead to spreading the foot. I’m not a fan of any part of my body spreading.
If thong material is too soft they won’t support the arch enough, allowing your foot to roll in. Which is bad for your feet, posture and over-all body alignment and will need correcting. Wearing a pair of Slappa’s will help 😉.
In my profession as a physiotherapist I am concerned about the “foundation” of my patients. In other words their feet, the arches and the surface on which they stand and walk. Slappas thongs are ideal in the tropics where many people walk bare footed on tiles in the heat. Collapsed arches are very common under these environmental conditions and many patients complain of foot pain from the hard tiles. Slappas thongs are soft yet supportive of both the medial and transverse foot arches. The outer raised edge of the Slappas thongs keeps the foot exactly where the arch support is required. I love the fact that they are made of recycled material. Slappas thongs are approximately a third of the price of other orthopedic sandals and they are perfect for the very wet weather we have in the top end of Australia. I recommend Slappas thongs to many of my patients and I wear them myself.
Alice Thorn Acupuncture & Physiotherapy
After having your Other Thongs a while, have you ever found your feet flapping around in them? Not a good look unless you’re a penguin in Happy Feet. That’s because the toe piece is not as strong as Slappa’s material, so it can easily stretch – and break!
Other Thong straps can be made too loose to start with, giving your feet another lack of support issue. Like falling flat on your face maybe … ☹.
A firmer material to start with, like Slappa’s, is better for the feet, posture and your whole body alignment. Plus, your Slappa’s Thongs will last longer. Better value for money. Better quality.
I first came across your product in Darwin at the Mindil Markets. I can’t remember the actual price at the time, but I do remember thinking it was unrealistic – way too expensive! You could go to K Mart and get a set of thongs for $5.00, what were Slappa’s thinking?
As my darling and I wander around the markets, I started to reconsider. The product must be better than the original Japanese Safety Boot. It has arch support, the straps can’t pull out, it is just a matter of how well they last?
I bought a pair; I have not been more impressed with a single product for a long time. It has the extra support and it works, they are much more comfortable than a simple safety boot. The colour combination was/is good. They have lasted – (better than I would ever have believed) – I live in Alice Springs and 2 years later they are thin as, but still working. For anything to survive 2 years in Alice Springs is a statement in itself. I wear them everywhere and I mean everywhere! For anyone who is into Japanese safety boots (and even if you are not) Slappa’s are hard to beat!
Wonderful product. –Rick | Customer (NT)
Some Other Thongs have the soles glued onto the thong, so if you get them wet the glue perishes and they fall apart. I’m shocked at some leading brand name thongs and ortho products that do this. Especially the price they charge for them. You’d have to have rocks (ooh, does that rhyme with something …?!) in your head to part with that much money for that kind of ‘quality’.
Check out what some of our Stockist say
What an ethos and a stockist of Slappa’s Thongs. Sole Therapy Podiatrists believe that through the correct support and treatment of your feet you will transform your life and live at your greatest potential.
At SOLE THERAPY, we teach you ways to love your body from the sole up.
WHAT WE DO
We are experts in biomechanics and believe that through the correct support and treatment of your feet you will transform your life and live at your greatest potential.
What’s next at Slappa’s Thongs
Exciting new stuff! Yay!! When? What? My lips are zipped. For now. But here’s a heads up:
If you have a favourite in the current Slappa’s range, grab an extra pair now, before they run out the door! Check out the specials on now until 26th April. You might be able to snare your Slappa’s size.
Have a Happy Slappa’s Easter!
Thongs On!
Denise
Wow what an amazing year it has been for Slappa’s Thongs. New colours, New website, New branding, New stockists and lot’s, lot’s, lot’s of New Slappa’s clients.
The year started with a very quick trip to China to see the new shipment be produced, packed up and sent to Darwin ready for the start of the Mindil Beach Sunset Market season. I was very excited as the new colours Red, Orange, White, Olympic Blue and Purple/White looked fantastic and I couldn’t wait to sell them and of course wear them.
The first market of the season was on ANZAC Day, so it was an early start for us as the kids and I always attend Dawn Service. The markets fittingly started with one minute’s silence and the Last Post was played to remember all of those who serviced our country and fort for what we have now. There was such a great vibe to the market as I think everyone was so excited that Mindil Beach Sunset Markets were back on for another year of food, fun, entertainment and new things to buy. The crowds were fantastic and it was so good to see all my market friends again. The night ended with fireworks and lots of cheers to mark the opening of the 2013 season.
The year saw lot’s of travel for me to Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide to meet potential stockists, trade fairs and arranging the New Website.
I teamed up with Janette (Dusty) Symonds from Squiggle Graphix and Phil Peet from Phil Boss Designs to design & implement the new website and branding for Slappa’s Thongs. What a huge job for all of us especially Dusty and Phil. We managed to get it launched just in time for the Christmas rush. What was even more exciting was the site was not even fully launched and we started getting orders. I would like to thank Dusty and Phil for all the hours, late nights and patience on achieving such a wonderful result. The website is so professional, easy to navigate and works a treat. Just perfect, perfect, perfect. I would also like to thanks my photographer Mark Hamilton from Mark Hamilton Photography in Darwin and Laura Bradley – model for the fantastic photo shoot. The photos are what makes this website. Also Donna and Ashley for being brave and enduring their first ever modelling experience and Darwin Waterfront for allowing us to photograph in such a great location.
Slappa’s Thongs were also very proud and happy to announce new locations where Slappa’s could be purchased. Slappa’s can now be found in South Australia, Victoria, Tasmania and New South Wales.
In South Australia Slappa’s Thongs are located at The People’s Markets West Lakes Shores Friday, Saturday and Sunday. In Victoria I have three people selling from markets in Echuca Moama, Bendigo, Geelong, Laverton, Docklands, Oceangrove, Torquay and Portalington. All dates of markets are posted on Facebook. Indulgence Gifts in St Helen’s, Tasmania is the newest stockist and I am very excited to say Sole Therapy, podiatrist’s at Ramsgate Beach a suburb in Sydney are stockists.
Slappa’s Thongs has also teamed up with Barefoot Fishing Safaris, The Fish Grips Australia and 2nd year sponsors to the Waratah’s Juniors Football Club.
We have also donated over 1000 pairs of thongs to the refugees at the Darwin Airport Lodge and over 500 pairs to the Filipino Australian Association of the NT to help the people affected from Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines.
Slappa’s Thongs is a continued supporter of Cystic fibrosis SA with donations of thongs and money.
So a very successful and busy year for Slappa’s Thongs in 2013 and with lot’s of new things on the drawing board we are certainly look forward to 2014.
Thankyou everyone who has supported Slappa’s Thongs. It is great to meet lot’s of new people at the markets and see familiar faces who keep coming back with their friends and family to buy Slappa’s.
Special thanks to my lovely friend Jeannie from Natural Wonders Darwin and her family for looking after Slappa’s Thongs for 2 weeks while we were away in December. You are amazing!
A very Happy, Happy New Year and may 2014 be a wonderful, prosperous year for us all.
