What is Plantar Fasciitis?
Even if you’ve never heard of the term “plantar fasciitis,” chances are that you’ve experienced it. According to some estimates, this common condition affects 1 in 10 individuals in the US.
So, what is plantar fasciitis, exactly?
Plantar fasciitis is the inflammation of the plantar fascia—tissue that connects your heel to your toes. The plantar fascia is important, as it helps stabilize the foot and give extra support to the arch.
Want to know more about plantar fasciitis? Check out the following video from ORTHOfilms:
As noted, our feet have a natural tendency to tense up when raised. When this tension builds and causes inflammation in the plantar fascia, plantar fasciitis results. This inflammation typically causes varying degrees of pain where the plantar fascia connects to the heel.
Plantar fasciitis can also result in painful heel spurs. These spurs, now known to be a result of plantar fasciitis, were once believed to be the root cause behind the condition.
Plantar fasciitis can either present as acute or chronic. Acute forms of plantar fasciitis are self-limiting and can resolve on their own over time. According to some research, up to 90% of plantar fasciitis cases are self-limiting.
Chronic forms of plantar fasciitis, however, pose more serious issues for people suffering from it. These are cases in which the condition doesn’t respond well to treatment over time. More serious medical intervention may be needed in order to treat chronic fasciitis, but even then, some studies have shown that up to 10% of individuals who suffer from the condition and have had surgery still present debilitating symptoms.
Symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis is known for its characteristic heel pain, particularly acute first thing in the morning after lying in bed all night. This is mostly because the plantar fascia (ligament) shortens over night while put at rest and stretches as soon as you start walking.
If you’re experiencing heel pain and feel as though it might be the result of plantar fasciitis, take a look at the following video as it could be useful to you:
To recap, the signs that your heel pain may indicate that you have plantar fasciitis are:
- Location; If your heel pain is located at the base of your heel near the arch of your foot, it may be the result of plantar fasciitis.
- The Pain is Worse in the Mornings. If you notice that your heel pain is worst when you first wake up or when you stand after sitting for an extended period of time, you’ve likely got plantar fasciitis (but a true diagnosis can only be confirmed by your doctor). Those who suffer from this condition generally see their pain peaking when first putting weight and therefore pressure on the heel after long periods of rest. While the pain will gradually subdue throughout the day, it will unfortunately creep back in towards the end of the day.
It’s also worth noting here that the pain from plantar fasciitis can be quite severe, especially in the morning. If you’re living with unbearable heel pain, it’s time to talk to your doctor about getting treatment for plantar fasciitis.
- Painful Toe Stretches. If you find it difficult or painful to stretch your toes upward, chances are that you’ve got plantar fasciitis. If you’re only experiencing symptoms on one foot, you can check this by examining the difference in how easy it is to stretch toes on either foot as well as the distance you can stretch them for. As mentioned a few times though, you should always seek the attention of a licensed doctor so they can assess your condition, give you the proper diagnosis and provide the medical attention your feet need.
Why Does Plantar Fasciitis Cause More Pain in the Morning?
If you suffer the condition you might be wondering why is it that your feet hurt more in the morning or after resting your feet for an extended period of time?
The answer is that it has to do with the way the plantar fascia is flexed.
While sleeping, our feet typically tend to adopt a position in which the plantar fascia is relaxed. This position, formally known as plantarflexion, occurs when an individual’s toes are pointed downwards.
As the foot is raised, the position of the plantar fascia changes, and tension is built throughout the connective tissue. For those suffering from plantar fasciitis, this tension can cause pain that is, at times, quite unbearable.
Because our feet are in plantarflexion while sleeping, the plantar fascia relaxes, and pain is typically not felt so strongly when we first awake.
However, those suffering from plantar fasciitis will instantly feel a sharp jolt of pain as soon as they get up and stand in the morning. Indeed, as weight is transferred to the foot as we stand, the plantar fascia changes into a position known as dorsiflexion. In this position, tension suddenly rises and causes a sharp, often-unbearable burst of pain.
As the plantar fascia begins to stretch out, the pain subdues a little, but it will unfortunately gradually begin to return over the course of the day.
How Common is Plantar Fasciitis?
The second question you might have is are you alone or rather how common is plantar fasciitis?
We took a look at the numbers to see how prevalent this foot condition actually is. The results were shocking, with plantar fasciitis causing over 1,000,000 visits to the doctor’s office every year.
While 10% of the population is affected by plantar fasciitis, we found that there are some individuals who are inherently more at risk.
Those who are obese, in particular, account for 70% of all plantar fasciitis cases. Pregnant women and others bearing extra weight are also under increased risk of developing plantar fasciitis.
Other high-risk groups are athletes, dancers, people with very high arches or no arches, and those who inflict repeated high impact blows to the feet.
We’ll talk about treatment options more in-depth later, but it’s worth noting that surgery for severe cases of plantar fasciitis only has a 75% success rate. If this is a relatively high success rate, it still means 25% of the population living with chronic plantar fasciitis may have to find alternative forms of treatment for their condition.
How Is Plantar Fasciitis Diagnosed?
Recognizing some of the symptoms and would like to know how to diagnose the condition? Plantar fasciitis is routinely diagnosed through a physical examination.
Under most conditions, your physician will be able to diagnose plantar fasciitis through a simple physical examination without the use of any additional tests. During the exam, you can expect your doctor to check for tender areas around your heel.
If your doctor wants to rule add other to confirm diagnosis, they might also choose to run an MRI or take an X-ray.
What Causes Plantar Fasciitis
This is a great question as knowing the root of the condition could help prevent it in certain cases. Unfortunately, the exact cause of plantar fasciitis isn’t known, but most experts agree that the condition results from the accumulation of stress to the plantar fascia.
Research notes that this stress causes repeated microtraumas to the plantar fascia, gradually leading to the development of plantar fasciitis.
Certain factors may put particular individuals at risk of developing plantar fasciitis, including:
- Excess weight
- Reduced Dorsiflexion
- Certain Sports
- Certain Jobs
- Biological Traits (e.g. extremely high arches or very flat feet)
- Inappropriate Shoes and Sandals
- Hamstring Tightness
Let’s deep dive into each of these factors to see how they may contribute to the development of plantar fasciitis.
Experts believe that added weight puts the plantar fascia under increased strain. So strong is the correlation between excess weight and plantar fasciitis that nearly 70% of all plantar fasciitis cases involve those who are overweight.
The increased strain on the plantar fascia from excess body weight can quickly cause enough tension on the plantar fascia that it results in plantar fasciitis.
- Reduced Dorsiflexion
The overarching cause of plantar fasciitis, however, is limited dorsiflexion.
Dorsiflexion refers to the upward movement of the foot toward the knees. When this movement is limited, plantar fasciitis often results.
Patients who experience limited dorsiflexion complain of heel pain and a reduced range of motion in the foot.
Limited dorsiflexion is often a symptom of injury to or tension in the plantar fascia.
Weight gained during pregnancy can put women at increased risk of developing plantar fasciitis. Indeed, this sudden extra weight adds increased tension to the plantar fascia.
For women who remain mobile during pregnancy, this sudden and sometimes dramatic weight gain can quickly lead to plantar fasciitis, as the plantar fascia fails to adapt to new strain being put on it.
- Certain Sports
Because of the nature of some sports, athletes are often affected by plantar fasciitis.
This is especially true of high-impact sports such as track or cross country.
As runners’ feet make high-velocity impact with the ground, the force of the shock is absorbed, in part, by the plantar fascia.
This leads to the buildup of tension, causing plantar fasciitis in several athletes.
It must be noted that the development of plantar fasciitis in athletes differs from that of those who are overweight. Instead of plantar fasciitis developing gradually as the plantar fascia builds up excess tension in response to increasing strain, the condition may be the result of acute trauma.
In this case, the condition can come on quickly, and treatment options may differ.
However, keep in mind that plantar fasciitis as a result of athletic activity is not as common a risk factor as obesity or prolonged standing.
- Certain Jobs
Those who work jobs that require a significant amount of standing are at increased risk of developing plantar fasciitis.
This is especially true of those who have a BMI of 30 or higher.
Prolonged standing can lead to limited dorsiflexion and dramatically increase the risk one may suffer from plantar fasciitis. Because of this, those who work jobs that require them to be on their feet often should take extra precautions in order to protect their feet from harm (more on treatment plans later in this article).
- Hereditary Factors
There is no such thing as plantar fasciitis gene however some hereditary factors can increase the likelihood of developing the condition. Therefore, it’s thought that some individuals have a genetic s predisposition to develop plantar fasciitis.
#While relatively rare, being genetically predisposed to plantar fasciitis can significantly increase your chances of suffering from this foot condition.
Some hereditary factors increasing chances of developing plantar fasciitis include uneven legs, obesity or even flat footedness. Because both conditions change the natural positioning of the plantar fascia, they can create stress over time.
Uneven leg length due to muscular imbalances can have a similar damaging effect on the plantar fascia. For this reason, it’s important to make sure that both legs are routinely stretched and trained to be the same strength. By creating an imbalance between their legs, many athletes later suffer from plantar fasciitis due to added strain.
- Inappropriate Shoes and Sandals
The shoes you wear have an important impact on your likelihood of suffering from plantar fasciitis.
Women, in particular, may develop the condition due to the use of unnatural and therefore inadequate footwear. High heels, for example, distribute your weight unevenly across your foot and may flex the plantar fascia at odd angles, causing unnecessary tension. Your arch is forced in an unnatural position which can, if done repeatedly, lead to plantar fasciitis.
Indeed, for plantar fasciitis to develop, individuals must be exposed to inappropriate footwear over a matter of time. This gradual accumulation will, slowly but surely, lead to plantar fasciitis and potentially other forms of heel pain.
Some footwear brands, such as Viakix, have developed their specialized range of orthotic sandals specifically designed for the comfort and needs of those requiring extra arch support. Their range also provides the wearer with extra cushioning to protect the heel and help absorb shocks.
- Hamstring Tightness
Those who have abnormally tight hamstrings are also at increased risk of developing plantar fasciitis.
In fact, individuals who have tight hamstrings are as much as 8.7 times more likely to suffer from plantar fasciitis according to some studies lead by foot experts.
Several compounding variables may influence this. Tight hamstrings have been linked to everything from poor exercise to sitting and even to posture.
So what’s the bottom line?
Plantar fasciitis occurs when a significant amount of limited ankle dorsiflexion creates enough tension to harm the plantar fascia.
This process may be gradual and lead to chronic pain, or it can be the result of a sudden acute trauma.
While plantar fasciitis affects individuals across all walks of life, it’s worth noting that people of a certain makeup or circumstance have an increased risk of developing the condition.
If you believe you may be suffering from plantar fasciitis, consider checking if any of the above risk factors apply to you.
In the event that the condition becomes chronic, or if pain is particularly severe, individuals may choose to pursue medical treatment.
If you’re suffering from plantar fasciitis, you should speak to your doctor about what treatment option is best for you. Your doctor may recommend a combination
In case the condition becomes chronic, or if the pain is particularly severe and even unbearable, some people might choose to seek medical treatment (and so should they).
If you’re suffering from plantar fasciitis, you should speak to your doctor about what treatment options are best suited to you. Your doctor may recommend a combination of different therapies. These therapies will work to reduce the inflammation and/or prevent further microtraumas to your foot while recovering.
For a brief overview on some of the treatments available for plantar fasciitis, check out this video from Mayo Clinic:
Let’s deep dive into these plantar fasciitis treatments.
1. Plantar Fascia Stretches
Stretches of the plantar fascia have been found to be among the most-effective treatments for plantar fasciitis.
These stretches aim to increase ankle dorsiflexion and increase the range of movement of the foot.
Best of all, the literature suggests that the “tissue-specific plantar fascia-stretching protocol” is the “key component of treatment for chronic plantar fasciitis.”
In other words: it works.
Plantar fascia stretching proved so powerful, in fact, that 92% of patients who underwent guided stretching treatment reported total or almost total satisfaction in the reduction of their symptoms. This included an overall reduction in feelings of pain in groups that practiced targeted stretches.
Additionally, 77% of these same individuals noted that after stretching they were able to perform all activities without any limitations.
If you’re looking for proven-effective relief, try out these two stretches as suggested by Cleveland Clinic:
2. Shoes and Sandals with Proper Arch Support
Investing in shoes and sandals with proper arch support is one of the best preventative measures that can be taken when dealing with plantar fasciitis.
For those who are already suffering with the condition, shoes that provide better arch support can still help.
In fact, having the proper shoes is so important that some studies have noted that those who have plantar fasciitis should invest in arch-supporting shoes and sandals as a means of first-line treatment.
This also involves investing in medical shoe inserts to help relieve arch pressure. Believe us, as orthotic sandals experts, we can guarantee you’ll save money down the track.
If you’re not sure where to begin with finding the right sandals or shoes to help treat your plantar fasciitis, don’t worry. We’ve done all the ground work for you 😉 Below, we’ll provide a comprehensive list of some of the best shoes and sandals with arch support.
The good news is that for most, the combination of plantar fascia stretching exercises with shoes (or inserts) featuring the proper arch-support can help significantly reduce or eliminate the symptoms of plantar fasciitis in a matter of weeks to months.
Additionally, if you’re at risk of developing plantar fasciitis, or if you believe that you have an episode coming on, wearing the proper shoes or sandals can help reduce or eliminate the symptoms of the condition.
3. Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy
Extracorporeal shockwave therapy is usually used to treat tendinosis in the shoulder or the plantar fascia. To be able to benefit from this type of therapy, a patient must usually undergo an ultrasound or MRI to confirm the condition and find the area of abnormality. Once identified, gel is then applied to the area before the sonographer places the probe at the same spot for about ten minutes. The idea is to deliver high-energy waves to the area of injury. 3 to 4 treatments are required before seeing any improvements. This treatment usually recommended for people who have tried anti-inflammatory or corticosteroid shots for three months or more without significant improvement.
Extracorporeal shockwave therapy has been increasingly popular in recent decades, but the jury is still out on its verdict about whether or not it helps effectively treating plantar fasciitis.
In fact, the same Research Gate study mentioned above found that the therapy hasn’t been proven to have a significant impact on the treatment of plantar fasciitis—or on any other types of heel pain.
Indeed, the treatment, which was originally designed to help runners who developed heel pain because of repeated high-impact trauma, was found to have statistically negligible benefits to its target patients. Therefore, if you think it could be a great option for you, make sure you do your research and speak to your licensed doctor before proceeding.
4. Corticosteroid Shots
As Research Gate highlights, corticosteroid shots are a great option to help alleviate the symptoms of plantar fasciitis. However, keep in mind that this will be a short term solution.
Corticosteroid shots are generally reserved as a last line of treatment in cases where more conservative and preventative methods just haven’t worked.
But while they do offer great relief from plantar fasciitis pain in the short-term, research has shown that symptoms will come back within six months.
This means that patients seeking long-term pain relief from corticosteroid shots will have to undergo treatment at least twice a year, making it a very costly procedure with a hefty out of pocket for many plantar fasciitis sufferers.
5. Hot and Cold Therapy
Though there seems to be some level of disagreement about whether hot or cold therapy is better for those with plantar fasciitis or not, most experts agree that a combination of both is the way to go.
Therefore, if you’re suffering from plantar fasciitis, make sure to not limit your options to one treatment only and combine both therapies.
It doesn’t have to be complicated or daunting; instead of simply doing warm foot soaks, for instance, why not briefly submerge your feet in cold water at the end the treatment session.
However, depending on the cause of your plantar fasciitis, the overuse of heat treatments could worsen symptoms, especially for runners.
Therefore, it’s important to switch between hot and cold foot baths so that you can get the most out of your treatment.
Additionally, your doctor might recommend that you rest your feet as much as possible. Indeed, by standing for extended periods, you’re putting your plantar fascia at increased risk of sustaining additional injuries.
Little tip for you; by icing your heel while resting, you can help reduce inflammation and recover quicker from a bout of plantar fasciitis.
6. Walking Casts
Scientists at Research Gate found that walking casts are also one of the most-effective treatments for plantar fasciitis.
The reason wearing a cast is so effective is they’re specifically designed to increase the dorsiflexion of the foot.
These casts are heavily padded with fiberglass and have been known to completely eradicate the pain and eliminate irritation in plantar fasciitis in up to 25% of patients.
Even for those who don’t experience complete pain relief, however, these casts still offer great benefits, with 61% of those studied saying that their casts made a welcome difference in the reduction of their plantar fasciitis symptoms.
Surgery is the last line of defense to fight plantar fasciitis.
Reserved only for those who have failed to find success with any other form of treatment, surgery has shown to be successful in the long-term improvement of those suffering from chronic plantar fasciitis.
When surgery is the option, the study shows that between 75%-90% of those who underwent surgery saw a significant reduction in or the elimination of their plantar fasciitis symptoms.
Surgery is a particularly-popular option with athletes, as it may help them make a full recovery. With Research Gate estimating the average recovery time for plantar fasciitis surgery to be between one-to-two months, athletes may, however, miss a significant portion of the sports season.
A small proportion of surgery patients don’t find surgery to be effective. In this case, a combination of the above-mentioned therapies may be recommended by your physician to alleviate symptoms.
Importance of Good Arch Support
Arches bear most of the impact created when our feet hit the ground.
Because of this, having proper arch support is essential to foot health. An improperly supported arch will fail to absorb impact well. A lack of adequate shock absorption can then in turn lead to tension in other parts of the foot.
This can also lead to plantar fasciitis, as well as a lot of other painful orthopedic disorders.
You probably get it now; plantar fasciitis sufferers need to make sure that their arches are properly supported at all times—whether naturally, through orthotic sandals or shoes, or with inserts.
Keep in mind, however, that the type of arch support you need, depends on the type of foot you have.
Arch Type and Foot Alignment
The type of arch an individual has will affect his or hers foot alignment.
There are three different types of arches and foot alignments:
- High Arch
- Low Arch (Flat Foot)
Normal arches have an adequate height, suitable for proper support. Those with arches of a normal height have a neutral foot alignment.
High-arched individuals, however, will soon start to have problems in that their feet will under-pronate as they walk. This means that they will start to move too far out (supinate) and away from their body’s natural alignment.
Flat-footed individuals, on the other hand, will experience a different extreme. Instead of their feet moving outwards, they will buckle in (pronate).
Both can prove detrimental to the overall health of the foot. The unnatural motion that is experienced during over and under-pronation can lead to injuries and inflammation of several parts of the foot, the shin, and the knees.
They can also worsen a case of plantar fasciitis. For patients who suffer from plantar fasciitis, maintaining proper arch support is critical.
This can be done by investing in orthotic inserts, sandals, or shoes that are specifically designed to alleviate the pain and problems caused by abnormal arches.
Those who are at increased risk of developing plantar fasciitis should take special care to wear proper arch-supporting shoes.
This includes those who are obese, pregnant women, those who work all day on their feet, and athletes.
For pregnant women in particular, it’s important to note that the arch of the foot can slightly flatten during pregnancy, making plantar fasciitis and other painful conditions more common.
If you’re pregnant and don’t have the proper arch-supporting equipment, you may find that your plantar fascia becomes injured as it receives greater shocks than it’s used to.
Because preventative care is among the most-effective ways to fight plantar fasciitis, it’s important that individuals invest in the proper orthotic shoes.
Check out our list of the best arch-supporting shoes and sandals below for more information on what kind of shoes you should wear!
Best Sandals and Shoes for Plantar Fasciitis
When it comes to comfortable arch support, there are a few brands that everyone should have on their radar.
If you’re in need of arch-supporting sandals and shoes to help deal with your acute or chronic plantar fasciitis, you can trust in the following brands.
Indeed, each of the following companies has established a proven track record of providing shoes and sandals that are not only stylish, but that are also great orthotic options when it comes to foot health.
Before we look at these brands, however, let’s recap why investing in the proper shoes is important if you suffer from plantar fasciitis:
- You’re on Your Feet A Lot—It can be easy to overlook just how much we’re on our feet every day but trust us: the time we spend standing up or walking will start to add up. Therefore, if you’re someone who has a job that requires all-day standing or walking, it’s even more important that you get shoes that provide proper arch support. Keep in mind that studies have shown that those who stand for long periods of time are at an increased risk of developing plantar fasciitis. By investing in arch-supporting sandals and shoes, you can reduce the strain on your feet and help prevent the buildup of excess tension on your plantar fascia.
- It Mitigates Other Factors—With that in mind, having the proper shoes can mitigate other risk factors. While you may still be at increased risk of developing plantar fasciitis if you suffer from one of these conditions, you can still develop a strategy to decrease the likelihood of this happening. Those who may have excess weight and women who are pregnant, for example, should consider investing in shoes or sandals with arch-support to help provide extra protection for the plantar fascia. The extra arch support can help counter the extra tension that is added because of excess weight and therefore prevent plantar fasciitis.
- It Increases Your Mobility—If you’re currently suffering from plantar fasciitis, you know first-hand how debilitating the condition can be. Moving can feel almost unbearable at times but chances are you’ve still got daily chores to attend to. While it’s probably best to stay off your feet as much as possible while symptoms are present, you can help make walking more comfortable and take off the pressure from your feet by wearing adequate arch-support sandals and shoes. Wearing proper footwear will allow you to walk further and longer without having to stop because of the pain.
- You’ll Heal Faster; Additionally, with arch-supporting shoes that are designed for those with plantar fasciitis, you can expect to heal faster, under normal conditions that is. Because your foot will be better supported, symptoms will go away faster than if left on their own.
With this information in mind, let’s now take a look at the top three shoe brands for those with plantar fasciitis.
Viakix offers some of the best and highest quality arch support sandals for women. The Viakix sandal range features a contoured heel cup to provide stability and foot alignment, while supporting ergonomically designed insoles to provide arch support that cradles your feet.
Viakix’s lines of walking and hiking sandals also come with their shock stabilizer technology, which absorbs shocks and supports the arches. This one-of-a-kind shank stabilizer helps to elevate the quality of orthotic arch support in the current shoe market.
These sandals provide much-needed arch support to prevent excess pronation.
Even better, because these orthotic sandals are designed for a variety of different occasions from casual wear to hiking, you never have to miss out on any of your favorite activities.
Let’s take a look at some of Viakix’s popular arch-supporting shoe options:
Samara Walking Sandal
Available in blue, black, beige and gray, the Samara walking sandal is a great functional brand for women who need more arch support. The Samara walking sandal, with its thick EVA midsole, cushions and absorbs the shocks for women who are used to moving a lot and do a lot of different outdoor activities. From hiking to camping, these sandals offer a comfortable and fashionable outdoor experience.
The Samara walking sandal is available at www.viakix.com.
Napali Hiking Sandal
The Napali hiking sandal is designed to help women looking for more arch support to stay active. Crafted with the Viakix stabilizer technology, it allows those who need more support to enjoy normal, outdoor activities. For women who need the support, the Napali outdoor sandal provides an effective way to participate in sports while ensuring their foot health.
The Napali hiking sandal is also an excellent option for women who enjoy water sports or activities. Indeed, the sandals have been designed to dry off quickly, keep your feet dry and avoid discomfort from soggy shoes avoid fungi appearing. With adjustable straps that allow people to adjust the fit to both feet, these shoes provide one of the most comfortable wears around.
In terms of style, the Napali hiking sandal is available in gray, brown, blue, and black. These sandals are currently at www.viakix.com.
Acadia Hiking Sandal
If you love hiking, suffer from plantar fasciitis and need strong arch support, the Acadia Hiking Sandals are the right pick for you! This versatile sandal will see you enjoying water sports or activities, tackling long treks in the jungle, experience stunning hikes in the mountain or casual walks on the beach.
The high-quality outsole provides great traction and will sustain wear and tear over a long period of time. Besides, the extra cushioning provided by the thick EVA foam midsole will help relieve pain and prevent plantar fasciitis from developing any further.
This functional sandal comes in a range of four different colors from grey and blue to black and beige and retails at $49.99.
With many shoes that are specifically designed for those with plantar fasciitis, Vionic boasts solid arch-supporting shoes.
What makes Vionic so effective is its arch-supporting biomechanical foot bed. The company has won the favor of many who suffer from plantar fasciitis and other forms of foot pain and for good reason.
Here’s a look at some of their popular arch support shoe options:
Alma Sneaker (for Women)
Vionic’s Alma Sneaker is a functional option for women with plantar fasciitis. With polka-dot laces and several color options available, this quality arch support shoe looks like a regular sneaker and feels a whole lot better.
These sneakers come with removable mesh-covered EVA and durable rubber in the footbed and outsole to keep plantar fasciitis sufferers active. Crafted with Advanced Motion System (AMS) technology, the Alma sneaker provides a sport experience for those suffering from plantar fasciitis.
The Alma sneaker is currently priced at $109.95.
Tate Active Sneaker (for Men)
The Tate sneaker is ideal for men with plantar fasciitis who are looking to stay active. This sneaker, currently priced at $129.99, comes with built in arch support to keep plantar fasciitis sufferers comfortable when in motion. Using Vionic’s famous orthotic technology, the Tate sneaker allows wearers to participate in a lot of different sport activities without feeling pain or discomfort.
Vionic recommends wearing the shoe for only a few hours every day for the first one or two weeks to break them in. This helps the shoe adapt to your feet for the optimal snug fit and comfort.
Kuru Footwear offers some of the most innovative plantar fasciitis shoes on the market.
With their technology, Kuru Footwear leads the way when it comes to the next level heel pain reduction footwear.
Named the KURUSOLE, this insole conforms to the natural curves of your feet and adapts with each step you take—meaning you experience comfort like with no other shoe.
And because the KURUSOLE molds to your foot, it can perfectly adapt to provide the arch support you need.
Because here’s the thing: as we’ve seen, not all arches are the same, and you shouldn’t treat them as such. There’s no one size fit all to follow when providing top-notch arch support.
If you’re looking for a great pair of orthotic shoes to help relieve your plantar fasciitis pain, consider the following options from Kuru Footwear:
Designed for women with plantar fasciitis, Kuru Footwear’s Quantum uses the brand’s KURUSOLE technology to engineer a shoe that’s perfect for outdoor and sport activities. With Quantum, plantar fasciitis patients have a way to stay active and fit whether training in the gym or enjoying the great outdoors. .
Priced at $125, these sneakers are made with breathable material and shock top notch absorption technology.
Kuru Footwear markets the Quantum Mesh as a “light, breathable, high-performance fitness trainer” for men with plantar fasciitis.
Like the company’s other products, this sneaker is engineered with KURUSOLE technology and provides optimal arch support for any fitness activity. This allows men with plantar fasciitis to run, walk, or play ball with the best of them.
The Quantum Mesh is available for $130.
The Wrap Up
Plantar fasciitis is a common soft-tissue inflammation disorder that affects 1 in 10 Americans.
With over 1,000,000 cases of plantar fasciitis treated in the US each year, it’s important to understand the causes behind the condition and what treatments are available to you to treat this sometimes debilitating condition.
Though the disorder is largely self-limiting with upwards of 90% of cases improving on their own without medical intervention, taking the proper steps to treat it can prevent it from becoming chronic.
Several treatments, both medical and preventative, exist, but the two most effective have been proven to be stretching and wearing arch-supporting sandals and shoes.
The right combination of orthotic sandals and shoes and stretches has seen up to 92% of patients achieve a complete recovery.
Fortunately, the simple-to-do exercises found above can be easily integrated into your daily routine to help alleviate plantar fasciitis pain.
With hundreds of arch-supporting shoes on the market, there’s never been a better time to invest in orthotic shoes.
Don’t hesitate to use this guide to help you improve your condition and pick adequate footwear. However, as always, we’d recommend that you also seek professional medical advice so a licensed doctor can help put together the right treatment plan for you.