How To Pick The Right Shoes For Plantar Fasciitis

Do you go through your day suffering from intense heel pain? Do you notice that there is significant strain on your ligaments each time you take a step? If you answered yes to one of these questions, there is a good chance that you’re suffering from plantar fasciitis. This condition can be immensely painful and nearly debilitating. Nevertheless, you do not have to suffer from the aches and pains for the rest of your life. By making the switch to the right shoes, you will be able to alleviate the symptoms and diminish the pain and irritation. Additionally, you could get insoles for plantar fasciitis as well. Within this guide, you’ll find tips for selecting the shoes that will help you live a normal life.


Identifying The Purpose

Before getting in too deep, you should take the time to identify the intended purpose of the shoes. Obviously, you want to eliminate the pain. However, you should realize that the shoes also need to be sufficient enough to accommodate your daily activities. 

Are you going to be playing tennis, shopping at the mall or working outside in the sun? If you’re going to be standing on your feet for numerous hours or rushing up and down the halls, you’ll need to choose shoes that are comfortable, flexible and supportive.

Alternatively, you may just need a pair of shoes to wear out with your friends or to go shopping. For these purposes, you should put significant emphasis on the shoe’s comfort and aesthetics. If you struggle to find the right shoes for your purpose, I found this article from Fixmywalk, called: “Best Shoes for Plantar Fasciitis”, it’s a great one, consider reading it.

Opting For Plenty Of Arch Support
When it comes to plantar fasciitis, you’ll need to make sure you choose a pair of shoes that offers plenty of arch support. The heel should be firm and very supportive. Simultaneously, it is vital to ensure that the heel has a little bit of an elevation or slant. This combination will help to diminish the level of stress placed on the Achilles. This can also ensure that the foot remains properly aligned. In return, this will take pressure off of your foot and give you the comfort that is so desperately desired.

Unfortunately, it can be difficult to determine what type of arch support a pair of shoes will provide, until you’re worn them for a lengthy duration. Therefore, you may need to experiment a little until you find the best shoes for your unique situation.

Choose A Stiff Toe Box
For those suffering from plantar fasciitis, the toe box can make a world of difference. The toe box needs to be designed to perfectly accommodate this unique condition. The toe box should be wide enough to provide your toes with plenty of wiggly room. However, the toe box should also be somewhat firm. 

A firmer toe box will help to prevent your foot from bending excessively. This will help to reduce the level of stress placed on the plantar fascia and will ultimately help to keep your pain at bay.

Take the shoe in both hands and attempt to bend it in the middle. The toe box should bend slightly, but the remainder of the shoe should remain stiff. This is how you can ensure that the shoes will work exceptionally well for plantar fasciitis.

Shock Absorbency
Plantar fascia can definitely plague one’s lifestyle, but a shoe with superior shock absorbency can reduce the pressure on the feet with every step. Many people do not give much thought to shock absorbers for shoes, but it plays a huge role in comfort and redistributing pressure. Every time you take a step, pressure is placed on certain parts of the sole. The pressure points are similar for everyone, but weight is distributed to different points on the sole of the feet.

With shock absorbent protection, the pressure will be distributed evenly throughout the sole of the foot, plus the pressure will be reduced significantly.

Proper Foot Alignment
Your feet operate in the same manner as a motorized vehicle, per se. If the vehicle is out of alignment, it will not drive properly. In fact, it will either pull to the right or the left, making it extremely difficult to keep the car on the road. If your feet are not properly aligned, they will rotate outwards (pronation) or inward (supination). While this condition is often linked to muscle pain, low bone density and arthritis, shoes can also be the blame.

If you suffer with pronation, you will need a shoe with a quality insole. Of course, you can always invest in a pair of orthotics, but these are very expensive. If you are on a budget, a shoe that can keep the foot aligned will be your best option.

Trial And Error Through Thorough Testing

When it comes to planter fasciitis, you need to keep in mind that this is a highly individualized condition. Every person has as different walk, run, and stride, which can affect the way that different shoes feel on their feet. A pair of shoes that works for one individual might not work for another. 

That being said, there will be a bit of trial and error, which is why it is imperative that you thoroughly try and test the shoes under the conditions and environment that you will be using them in.

If you are going to be using the shoes for long periods of standing or running, make sure that you stand in the shoes, walk around, and do a bit of running to measure the comfort level.

Easily Removable Inner Soles
A lot of individuals that suffer from severe cases of planter fasciitis will have their own special orthotics constructed by a doctor to help alleviate the pain. A good pair of planter fasciitis shoes should always come with removable soles. In the event that the factory soles get worn down or you want to insert your own custom orthotics, you will have the option of doing so.

Additional Or Proper Support
A good way to avoid subjecting your feet to any unnecessary stress is by ensuring that you purchase a shoe with great support. This is especially true for people that suffer from flat feet or sensitive arches. Additional support or a well-built pair of shoes can provide just the right amount of support that you need to get you through a long day of standing or walking.

Special Gel Cushioning
Gel cushioning is an excellent feature that anyone suffering from planter fasciitis should always consider when buying a pair of shoes. This is a special system that is installed in the midsole and at pressure points to ease the shock and pressure that is exerted on the foot during strenuous activities.

Remember that the best shoe for one individual may not be the best shoe for you. Each individual is unique and the solution is not universal. Therefore, you should perform your own research and carry out your own testing. With a little time and effort, you’ll eventually be able to find the shoes that provide you with the maximum relief.

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