Plantar Fasciitis

Orthotics for Plantar Fasciitis

If you're suffering from persistent foot pain, you may have a condition called plantar fasciitis. Plantar Fasciitis is marked by a stabbing pain in the bottom of the foot near the heel, and is generally worse with the first steps you take in the morning. It can also be much more noticeable after long periods of rest, such as at a desk or while traveling, and the pain can range from mild to unbearable.

 

Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of the foot fascia. Fascia, in simple terms, is connective tissue. The tissue on the bottom of your foot that connects your heel to your toes is called your plantar fascia. Repeated use and overuse can cause inflammation of the fascia, which leads to varying levels of discomfort and pain. Foot pain can be debilitating, not only because it creates a distraction that can be difficult to deal with, but also because pain causes us to make adjustments to our gait. Plantar fasciitis can affect the whole gait cycle, and a compromised gait cycle can quickly result in further problems, such as knee, hip and back pain.

Plantar fasciitis is extremely common. Statistics show that about ten percent of people in the U.S. have experienced heel pain at some point, and that's because there are so many risks factors involved in developing it.

Risk Factors for Developing Plantar Fasciitis

Running & Other Athletics

Plantar fasciitis is highly common in athletes who compete in high-impact sports such as running. Overdoing hill or speedwork exercises puts athletes at a higher risk for developing plantar fasciitis, but even generally spending a lot of time on your feet - whether you're standing, hiking or running - can significantly increase your risks for developing heel pain. Working in a job that requires excessive walking or standing on a hard surface for long periods of time will overload the plantar fascia just as much as a poorly planned hill sprint.

Being Overweight

Whether you put extra stress on your feet everyday because you're running or because you're carrying excess weight, the end result for plantar fasciitis is the same. Carrying excess weight places additional strain on your connective tissues, and the pressure isn't just limited to your feet. For every extra pound you're carrying, you put four extra pounds of pressure on your knee joints. Carrying excess weight from fat over long periods of time results in more foot pain and quicker breakdown of cartilage and connective tissues.

Foot Structure

Sometimes, pain is simply the result of poor biomechanics. Whether you have high arches, flat feet, tight calves or a tight Achilles, the very structure of your foot can cause chronic pain. If you under- or over-pronate significantly, your overall gait will be impacted, which can lead to plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, bunions and more - but can also result in a cascade of pain that runs from your feet all the way to your upper back and neck.

Improper Footwear

In addition to other risk factors, you could be increasing your incidence of developing plantar fasciitis with the wrong footwear. Whether or not you're already prone to heel pain from lifestyle or genetic factors, choosing the wrong shoes is guaranteed to negatively impact your gait.
When you wear shoes that don't provide adequate support, particularly if you require it, your plantar fascia is forced to withstand more strain than is healthy.

Reducing the Symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis

Stretching

Stretching in the morning, as well as before and after exercise is a great place to start when looking to alleviate the symptoms of plantar fasciitis.
Stretching increases blood flow to promote healing and reduces discomfort as part of a daily routine.

Stretch Your Calves

Tight calves are a significant contributor to plantar fasciitis. When your calves or Achilles are tight, your connective tissues will also be strained. Stretching your calves several times a day to loosen your calf muscles will help to relieve pressure that's placed on your connective tissues.

 

Stretch Your Feet

Bending toes backward, point-and-flex exercises and rolling your ankle can all help to stretch the small muscles in your feet associated with heel pain. Improving your foot flexibility can help to manage inflammation, and is generally effective particularly when paired with other therapies.

Massage

A quick and gentle self-massage can feel great and encourage your foot muscles to relax and become more flexible. If you're in pain first thing in the morning, like many people suffering from plantar fasciitis, we recommend performing self-massage before your feet hit the floor is a great way to get ahead of your heel pain. Receiving a deep tissue massage from a professional can help to loosen fascia, tendons and ligaments that have become too tight to alleviate at home. Additionally, using a spiky massage ball or massaging with ice can help to roll out tight fascia and decrease inflammation and irritation.

Orthotics

The American Physical Therapy Association states that noninvasive therapies including foot orthoses are recommended as primary interventions for plantar fasciitis.
An orthotic aligns the foot into proper position to manage the gait cycle, and helps to support the arch in order to eliminate stress caused by running, walking or standing. We offer a range of orthotic inserts, including insoles that can be tailored to your foot based on factors including your arch height, heel width, your weight and height. The System Rx shoe inserts are available in four variations: shells, versatile insoles, sports insoles and classics.

Rx Shells

Choose shells for customized low-profile support, ideal for everyday shoes like the ones you wear to work. Oftentimes, dress shoes are not geared toward providing adequate support and therefore contribute to heel and foot pain. Rx Shells fit comfortably into low-profile shoes and conform to and support the arches of your feet without adding unnecessary bulk from padding.

Rx Versatile Insoles

Versatile insoles are shells covered in 1/16 inch cushioning for additional comfort. They are perfect for a wide range of shoes, including many types of dress shoes that don’t have an ultra-low profile. These shoe inserts are semi-customizable for heel width, arch height, arch length and other specifications such as your height and weight.

Rx Sport Insoles

Our sport insoles are just as customizable as any Rx product, however, they are created specifically with the athlete in mind. The supportive shells are covered in 1/8 inch of comfortable cushion lining, making them an ideal solution for runners and other athletes suffering from foot and heel pain.

Rx Classic Insoles

Classic insoles are fully customizable according to the dimensions of your heel and arch, and are equipped with black prima leather and a suede bottom cover. They also have an extra layer of padding beneath the prima leather top cover making them the most durable and comfortable of the Rx series. Rx Classic insoles not only provide the medical benefits of a supportive functional orthotic, but they will look good and feel great in your classiest shoes.

Foot Soldier Insoles

If you’re frequently on your feet for work, such as military or construction, we recommend trying one of our Foot Soldier products to reduce pain from plantar fasciitis. Foot Soldier insoles offer superior orthopedic arch support for flat feet, pain due to overuse and more.