Plantar fasciitis is a foot condition that is characterized by the inflammation of plantar fascia, which refers to the thick connective tissue that provide support to the arch of the foot. This write-up provides information on how orthotics or shoe inserts can help provide relief from the distressing symptoms of this foot condition.
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 pain is experienced when the affected person places 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. It is extremely essential that one wears footwear that not only provide proper arch support, but also facilitate better shock absorption. Using shoe inserts can certainly prove beneficial for people affected by an inflamed plantar fascia.
Benefits of Using Shoe Inserts
These days, many reputed shoe brands have begun to manufacture good-quality walking or running shoes that come with proper arch support. You must, however, remember that wearing a pair of shoes over a period of time will cause the cushioning to get worn-out. Thereafter, the footwear will not be able to provide the much-needed arch support. A lack of arch support and reduced shock absorption is most likely to 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. In fact, they can greatly benefit by using orthotics.
Orthotic shoe inserts, which are commonly referred to 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 inoles 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 inserts.
Brands
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 insoles that facilitate arch support. The use of these insoles can definitely prevent many of the common foot problems.
However, people affected by structural foot abnormalities such as high or fallen arches need to ensure that they buy the inserts that are specially designed for that particular foot abnormality. The insoles 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 opt for 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. You can also use Sole Ultra heat moldable footbeds.
Other manufacturers providing good quality orthotics include Superfeet, Spenco, Birkenstock, and Sorbothane. Those who have flat feet will surely benefit by using PowerStep insoles. Most of the aforementioned insoles 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 to buy, you can always consult a podiatrist.
People affected by plantar fasciitis must take all possible steps to reduce the strain on the plantar fascia. Using insoles will surely alleviate the distressing symptoms of this foot condition.
