One of the most common causes of heel pain, plantar fasciitis involves pain and inflammation in the foot, particularly the heel. The condition involves the tissue that spans the bottom of the foot, connecting the heel bone to the toes. When this tissue is inflamed, people tend to feel the stabbing pain of plantar fasciitis.
Usually, the condition is at its worst during the first few steps of the day, when the foot is not yet warmed up and limber. The pain tends to decrease once a person gets going for the day, but it can resurface after sitting for a while then standing or simply after standing or moving on your feet for a long period of time.
Risk factors for plantar fasciitis include folks who run on a regular basis, those who are overweight or obese, or people who wear shoes that fit poorly. The chances of suffering from plantar fasciitis also increase with age or with working a job that involves long periods of standing. Flat feet, high arches, irregular walking patterns and other issues that involve the mechanics of the feet can also cause this condition.
Fortunately, the right foot orthotics can help to relieve the pain and inflammation of plantar fasciitis. These foot orthotics may be made from material such as felt, rubber or plastic, and getting the proper foot orthotics may or may not involve a doctor’s prescription. However, seeing a healthcare professional about your plantar fasciitis is a smart first step toward finding the foot orthotics that are right for you.
For example, you may need foot orthotics that offer more support to the arch of your foot and extra cushioning on your heel area. Designed in this way, the foot orthotics can help to reduce the pressure on your heel and better spread out the shock that is absorbed by the foot when standing or walking around.
In terms of the foot mechanics issues that often result in plantar fasciitis, foot orthotics can be used to support the feet to move toward more optimal mechanics, which can help decrease the incidence of plantar fasciitis. For instance, foot orthotics may help to prevent pronation and irregular walking patterns, thereby helping to alleviate the pain and inflammation of plantar fasciitis. Custom foot orthotics, which are made using a mold of the person’s foot or feet, may be best for folks who are suffering from plantar fasciitis due to feet that may have some deformity or other structural problem.
