Plantar fasciitis manifests as a pain in the heel that often occurs with the morning’s first steps. The pain is caused by micro-tears and inflammation in the heel. If you find yourself waking up with spikes of pain in your heel, you may suffer from plantar fasciitis. Luckily, there are a number of solutions to help you, including buying the right shoes to reduce the pain.
Several causes can underlie this problem, whether it’s tension in the calf muscles, intense exercise in a sport, or wearing shoes that lack adequate support.
In this article, we will share with you the best types and characteristics of footwear to help relieve the pain of plantar fasciitis.
1 – Well adapted footwear to relieve plantar fasciitis pains
To relieve the pain associated with plantar fasciitis, you must first remember that every foot is unique. Therefore, it is important to find the type of footwear that is best adapted to your plantar shape.
As you search for the perfect shoe, you should take care to find one that is neither too big nor too small. Seeing as the heel is the part of the foot that experiences pain, look for a shoe that fits the shape of your foot.
Feet affected by plantar fasciitis require shoes that are both comfortable and have a good structure, so try to avoid “minimalist” shoes or high heels.
You may also consider insoles to complement the shoes you already own. You can purchase those at a pharmacy, which will allow you to customize any shoe to fit your feet. Check with your podiatrist for advice on which insoles are best for you!
2 – Opt for shoes with good arch support
When buying a new pair of shoes, you should keep in mind that it is most important to avoid shocks to the heel. Therefore, you should aim for footwear that is quite firm in the heel and arch area, while easy to bend around the toes.
It is important to have a good weight transfer to the forefoot when walking, which reduces the weight and stress on the heel.
3 – Look for well-structured shoes
If you have plantar fasciitis, it is crucial that you choose well-structured shoes.
You want to optimize weight transfer, so high heels and flat ballerina-style shoes should be avoided as they do not provide adequate support. These types of shoes do nothing to pad your heel and can actually worsen your problem over time.
Also, ensure that your heel is secured within the shoe, as the firmer the heel, the less the foot tends to wiggle around, which limits the stress on the heel.
4 – Some more tips to help with plantar fasciitis
Aside from wearing the right footwear, there are several other things you can do to relieve the pain that stems from plantar fasciitis. Keep in mind that we always recommend you to see a podiatrist if you are experiencing pain in your feet.
There is a number of ways that you can reduce the discomfort within your heel. If the problems do persist, however, do not hesitate to consult your podiatry clinic which will be able to guide you toward more appropriate medical treatments.
- Reduce activities that put stress on the heels, as this is the part of the foot that is affected by the pain.
- Opt for over-the-counter insoles to better fit the shoes you already own.
- Wear shoes as often as possible to protect your heels.
- Regularly massage your plantar fascia and calves.
- Soak your feet in cold water or put ice on the area at the end of the day to reduce inflammation.
- Temporarily reduce physical activity.
PiedReseau is here to help treat your plantar fasciitis
Above all else, the most important thing when buying shoes for people with plantar fasciitis is finding a good structure that perfectly fits your foot. Remember that your feet need all the support they can get and it is important to treat the problem as soon as possible.
Here’s a quick reminder of the shoes you should avoid:
- Flat shoes
- Shoes with a minimalist style
- Shoes with high heels
- Beach sandals
If you ever notice a pain growing in your heel, PiedReseau has a roster of 40 clinics that specialize in the treatment of such a condition. Our versatile podiatrists have all the tools needed to take care of various pathologies.
Left untreated, plantar fasciitis can result in complications, including heel spur. Therefore, we recommend you to consult a podiatrist if the problem persists.
Contact PiedReseau today to protect yourself from plantar fasciitis pains.
