Best Shoes for Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is a type of foot pain that primarily affects the heel. The tissue connecting the heel of a foot to the toes is known as the plantar fascia and it supports the arch of the foot. Repeated stretching and tearing of this tissue can cause it to tear which leads to inflammation of the plantar fascia. Plantar fasciitis can affect anyone, but it is most commonly found in runners, individuals wearing non-supportive footwear, and those who are overweight. Symptoms ordinarily develop gradually and can affect one or both feet. Furthermore, rapid weight gain can accelerate the onset of plantar fasciitis symptoms. The diagnosis is more common in older females between the ages of 40 and 60 and in those with flat-feet or abnormal walking styles.

A primary plantar fasciitis symptom is pain in the heel when first standing after sleeping or sitting for an extended period of time. The pain is usually a sharp pain in the morning, followed by a lessening of the pain as the tissues are loosened throughout the day, and then a return of a generalized dull aching at bedtime. Pain in the heel at night is most likely indicative of another problem as the foot pain lessens a little after walking. In the case of runners, the pain associated with plantar fasciitis will lessen or go away during the exercise but likely will return upon cessation of the activity. Additionally, standing for an extended period of time or climbing stairs will aggravate the pain felt in the foot which can be relieved by resting or stretching the tissues surrounding the heel. Swelling and tenderness upon physical examination of the heel indicates plantar fasciitis and x-rays can confirm this diagnosis.

Normally, symptoms can be treated with short-term therapies and it is uncommon to require surgery to treat the pain. Rest is the primary, immediate solution to severe pain as is icing and stretching the plantar fascia, Achilles tendon and calf muscles in the leg. If exercises such as running, dancing or other high-impact activities are worsening the plantar fasciitis symptoms then it may be appropriate to seek out no or low-impact exercises such as swimming and walking to help heal the condition.