What is Plantar Fasciitis?
The plantar fascia is a dense band of fibrous tissue that originates at the ball of the foot and connects at the heel. It stretches and contracts each time the foot is used, and is prone to overuse especially if the arch is not supported by proper footwear. As the fascia micro-tears at its attachment to the heel, it can cause heel spurs, or small areas of calcification at the heel.
The most common symptom of Plantar Fasciitis is pain in the bottom of the heel. The pain is often most pronounced when taking the first steps in the morning or after prolonged periods of rest. Plantar Fasciitis typically develops gradually over time. It may start as a mild discomfort that worsens over weeks or months.
Do flat shoes help treat plantar fasciitis?
Among the most effective treatments for heel pain is stretching, especially the posterior c compartment which includes the Achilles tendon, hamstrings, soleus and gastrocnemius muscles. Unfortunately, even five minutes of stretching several times a day isn’t likely to have much impact over the course of a full day of walking with your heels elevated 12 mm or more. By lowering your heel height to zero you will get the benefit of a full day of stretching without stopping to make time for a stretching regiment. Birkenstocks and Altra shoes are the perfect choice for healthy footwear.
Best Stretch for Plantar Fasciitis?
The most effective stretches involve the back of the leg where you’re loosening the thick band of tissue that connects the heel bone to the toes. There are some commonly recommended stretches (Healthline article) for plantar fasciitis you can try. However, the best stretch will come from wearing shoes with no or little heel rise. By lowering your heel height to zero you will get the benefit of a full day of stretching without trying.
Birkenstocks and Altra shoes are a good choice for plantar fasciitis
Do Custom Orthotics Help Plantar Fasciitis?
Yes, custom orthotics can be very helpful in managing Plantar Fasciitis.
Other treatment includes stretching the gastrocnemius complex, icing, anti-inflammatory medications, ultrasound, taping methods, night splints, and massage. However one of the most effective treatments is custom orthotics made for your specific foot model.
Premium Custom Orthotics will provide
- Arch Support to help distribute pressure evenly across the foot. This can alleviate strain on the plantar fascia and reduce pain.
- Shock Absorption during activities like walking or running. This helps reduce the impact on the plantar fascia.
- Proper Foot Alignment to reduce strain on the plantar fascia and promote healing.
- Reduction of Overpronation or Supination
- Prevention from re-injury of the plantar fascia.
Interested in finding out how orthotics can help you?
We Guarantee our orthotics for comfort, fit and performance for 90 days.
