Shoe Inserts for Plantar Fasciitis
Heel pain mostly arises due to the inflammation of the plantar fascia, which is a tough band of fibrous tissue running across the bottom of the foot. This condition is medically referred to as plantar fasciitis. Though the plantar fascia is quite tough, excessive strain on the feet can lead to development of tears in the ligament. One of the most common symptoms of an inflamed plantar fascia is severe heel pain in the morning. The inflammation subsides at night or when one rests, however, stabbing heel pain is experienced when you place weight on the heel while getting from the bed in the morning or standing up after sitting for long stretches of time. While this condition might be caused due to biomechanical inadequacies of one's feet and other foot problems, those who wear ill fitting shoes are most likely to experience this condition. Women are at an increased risk of developing this foot problem as they often wear high-heeled shoes. Though the fancy footwear might look very good and complement your attire, it puts a lot of strain on the heel bone. It is therefore, important that you wear shoes that not only provide proper arch support, but also facilitate better shock absorption. Wondering how to prevent the plantar fascia from getting inflamed? Well, you can either use shoe inserts or wear shoes that are specially designed for people who have plantar fasciitis. In this article, we will find out how the use of shoe inserts can help in alleviating the symptoms of an inflamed plantar fascia.
Benefits of Using Shoe Inserts
These days, many reputed shoe brands have begun to manufacture good-quality shoes for plantar fasciitis. Whether you want running shoes or walking shoes for plantar fasciitis, you can easily find what you are looking for. You must, however, remember that wearing a pair of shoes over a period of time will cause the cushioning to get worn-out. Such shoes will not be able to provide the much-needed arch support. A lack of arch support and reduced shock absorption will therefore worsen the heel pain.
There are many people who are born with abnormal biomechanics of the foot. For instance, some have flat feet, wherein there is hardly any gap between the underside of their feet and the ground, while some have high arched feet, wherein this gap is very wide. Such people need to be very careful while selecting footwear. If they don't do so, they are most likely to develop an inflamed plantar fascia. Such people can greatly benefit by using orthotics.
Orthotic shoe inserts, which are commonly known as insoles or heel pads, can help in distributing the pressure evenly throughout the foot. These also reduce the overpronation or overstretching of the arch. The cushioning provided by insoles provides a improved shock absorption. These days, contoured shoe inserts are easily available. These conform to the shape of the foot and distribute pressure throughout. Thus, the excessive stretching of the ligament can be easily avoided. If your shoes have removable footbeds, you can replace them with orthotic shoe inserts.
Brands that Offer Shoe Inserts
For those who don't wish to shell out money on expensive orthopedic shoes, using arch support inserts is definitely a more economical option. There are many reputed brands that are offering best insoles that facilitate arch support. The use of these shoe inserts can definitely prevent many of the common foot problems. You must, however, be careful while selecting the shoe inserts. If you are looking for shoe inserts, make sure that you buy the ones specially designed for the particular foot abnormality that you are suffering from. People with high arched feet and flat feet must buy insoles for high arches and flat feet respectively. The shoe inserts that you use must have the required feature for balancing out the biomechanical inadequacies or misalignment in the foot. Correcting the biomechanical inadequacies will facilitate an improved foot function.
If you are not satisfied with the ready-made insoles, you can also use custom-made insoles that fit in your shoes perfectly. You can also check out Lynco Aetrex orthotics for runners and athletes. These are one of the best shoe inserts for plantar fasciitis. Sole Ultra heat moldable footbeds are also one of the most effective shoe inserts for an inflamed plantar fascia. Other manufacturers providing good quality shoe inserts include Superfeet, Spenco, Birkenstock and Sorbothane also manufacture insoles. Those who have flat feet will surely benefit by using PowerStep insoles. Most of the aforementioned shoe inserts provide proper arch support, layered cushion casing and also use special breathable fabric to prevent excessive sweating and slippage. If you are not able to decide which one is best, you can always consult a podiatrist.
If you are suffering from plantar fasciitis, take all possible steps to reduce the strain on the plantar fascia. Using good quality shoe inserts will surely alleviate the distressing symptoms of plantar fasciitis.
