Plantar Fasciitis and New Balance Footwear
Nov 16th, 2009 by admin
Plantar fasciitis is a common foot ailment involving an irritation and swelling of the ligaments and tissues in the bottom of the feet. Pain associated with plantar fasciitis varies from a dull ache to severe pain and is usually reported as being the most severe upon waking.
There are several risk factors associated with plantar fasciitis: unusually flat fleet, unusually high arches, obesity, and injury to the foot. Wearing ill-fitting shoes can aggravate the condition and some podiatrists consider improper footwear a contributing cause. Shoes that are too tight do not allow the full range of motion for the foot and this can put stress on the ligament; and thus, cause pain. Shoes that are too large do not properly support the foot in the places it needs to be supported. If someone suffers from a foot ailment it is imperative for them to wear high-quality and properly fitting footwear.
There are several ways to medically treat plantar fasciitis: physical therapy, cortisone shots, and surgery. Some patients will find relief with expensive shoe inserts. One of the best ways to support any medical regimen is with proper footwear. In some cases, patients may find relief in a change of shoes alone.
Physical therapy for plantar fasciitis will focus on stretching the main ligament. A patient needs to have a comfortable supportive shoe as a foundation to physical therapy. Conducting those exercises and wearing improper shoes does no good.
When it comes to selecting a shoe, a person with plantar fasciitis needs to look at four core things. The first is the general quality of the shoe. Are the materials strong, but not restrictive? Is the sole made of impact absorbing materials? Will the internal material stand firm or crumble after a few uses? The shoe needs to have a thick sole. This especially true if the person needs to be able to stand for long periods of time or enjoys high impact exercise.
The second is proper fit. It’s best to have one’s feet professionally measured.
Thirdly, the patient needs proper arch support. When the arch is not properly supported the ligament is strained. For someone with plantar fasciitis a stressed ligament means pain. The arch support should be firm, but flexible. The arch support of the shoe is important even if the consumer uses insole inserts.
Finally, raising the heel a bit can relieve some stress on the ligament.
