Anyone who has suffered from plantar fasciitis knows how debilitating it can be and how important relief is for this life altering problem.
Plantar fasciitis is a painful condition that involves the ligament called the plantar fascia that runs along the bottom of the foot. When it is over-stretched tiny tears can form and the ligament becomes inflamed. The condition can be caused or made worse by constant standing, being overweight, high heels, worn-out shoes, going barefoot, abnormal arches, unusual walking gait or certain medical conditions such as arthritis.
Often if the foot is held inactive for a period of time it extremely painful and even difficult to walk. This is very common when first getting out of bed or after sitting for extended periods of time. Conversely, too much activity can add to the problem.
Treatment should relieve the inflammation and pain. It should allow healing of any ligament tearing and help improve flexibility. Proper stretching exercises and movements, icing the area and over-the counter pain relievers can ease the pain and aid in healing. Although all these things can help, the best thing you can do for your feet is to wear the proper footwear.
If your job or lifestyle requires standing for long periods of time a good quality shoe, can make all the difference.
When choosing shoes to relieve the pain, you will want to select something that offers good overall support, but is still flexible. The heel should be fairly soft and slightly raised to offer cushioning and shock absorption while walking, running or standing. The arch should be firmly supported. Fit is important as well. The shoe should be comfortable without any pinching. It should cradle and support the foot. A good quality shoe such as those offered by New Balance, are made especially to relieve the pain of plantar fasciitis. They can be an excellent choice for relief from the constant pain.
The pain of plantar fasciitis can last a long time. Sometimes up to a year and in some cases, may even require surgery. This can be avoided. With the proper treatment and shoes the pain can be greatly lessened and walking made easier allowing you to return to normal activities sooner.