Are you suffering from acute heel pain in the foot? Is your heel looking red and swollen?
If you are showing these symptoms, you might be suffering from plantar fasciitis. This is a disease in which the base of the foot becomes inflamed.
It may be due to a sports injury or a stress injury. There is intense pain in the morning while taking the first few steps.
It is mostly found in athletes but, it can also affect people with a high Body Mass Index(B.M.I) and those who are not engaged in physical activity. The high BMI puts constant pressure on the feet, leading to swelling and pain.
Treatment consists of therapies using specifically designed splints, braces, arch support, insoles, bandages and shoes. Plantar fasciitis surgery involves many risks.
Hence, plantar fasciitis exercises and stretches can prove to be very useful in the treatment. Thus, you need to use good shoes specially designed for people suffering from this condition.
Shoes for plantar fasciitis help in reducing the irritation and pain due to inflammation. Here are the specifications to be followed while selecting such shoes:
The condition is usually caused due to shoes not having a proper fit. One should always wear the right kind of shoes to prevent this condition.
Plantar fasciitis shoes should be comfortable. They help in reducing pain, thus enabling a person to engage himself in his daily activities.
Wearing ill-fitting shoes can cause various problems. You need to use the best shoes for this condition because correct arch support is essential for healing and to get relief from acute pain.
Arch support depends on the person's foot arch (a person can have a flat arch or a high arch). It also depends on the way a person walks. One can consult a podiatrist to find out if there are any irregularities in his gait.
The podiatrist might recommend orthotics customized to suit a particular person's requirements. People with a deviant way of walking can opt for special motion controlled shoes for plantar fasciitis, which will restrict the flexibility of movements and reduce the stress.
It will also help the person to walk in a correct manner. Best running shoes for heel pain conditions are ones which suit the needs of an individual and feel comfortable during the training sessions.
They can be used for plantar fasciitis exercises to gain positive results. It is advisable to use proper shoes because running or walking involves strenuous movements.
You can consult a physiotherapist to know the kind of motion control needed. Shoes with solid arch support and orthotics are necessary in case of running shoes.
It should have the essential filling or padding around the heels, in the forepart and the middle area. Running shoes for foot conditions provide special structural support around the heel which is not found in normal running shoes.
They also have an inbuilt scientific technique to deal with pain. Some plantar fasciitis shoes do not have any supplementary devices, but instead, have an inbuilt mechanism in the sole which treats the problem.
But, these shoes are very costly with a limited number of designs and styles. These shoes provide the necessary acupressure in the painful area, stretching it and thereby reducing pain and swelling.
Orthotic shoe inserts are cheaper compared to the shoes themselves. They can be inserted in the shoe like any other sole.
But be careful while buying these shoe inserts as there are many manufacturers for them and you might end up buying the one which makes false claims of giving comfort and support. Orthotic shoe inserts have special features to reduce heel pain but they are not useful for treating plantar fasciitis in the long run.
Night splints can also help in healing and reducing pain. Plantar fasciitis shoes should be used according to the requirements of a particular individual.
They cannot completely cure plantar fasciitis but can definitely help reduce the pain and inflammation.
Author Resource:-
Jack R. Landry has worked as a podiatrist and foot surgeon for the past 14 years and written hundreds of articles about various foot conditions including plantar fasciitis.
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