Can Orthotics Help My Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is a major cause of pain in the heel. If you have heel pain because of plantar fasciitis, you’ll do just about anything to ease the nagging pain. When the plantar fascia, the band of tissue that runs from your heel to the bottom of your toes, becomes inflamed, simple activities like walking become painful.

At Go Feet, we offer many solutions to help relieve the pain and discomfort of plantar fasciitis, including custom orthotics to improve your foot mechanics. Here’s how this simple insert can make a world of difference when it comes to your pain.

ABOUT PLANTAR FASCIITIS

Plantar fasciitis usually results when you’ve put a lot of stress on your feet. Runners, those who stand for most of the day, or people carrying a lot of extra weight are susceptible. Plantar fasciitis is sharp and most severe when you first wake up in the morning or stand up after a long period of sitting. The condition can interfere with daily activity as well as with fun activities, like jogging, hiking, and playing with your kids.

The heel pain is the result of microtears, tissue degeneration, and inflammation. Stretching and rest from excessive stress on the plantar fascia help offer relief, but healing takes time.

HOW ORTHOTICS CAN HELP

Your foot’s mechanics when you walk or stand have an influence on plantar fasciitis. If you have excessively high or low arches, you’re more prone to the condition. These arch conditions cause misalignments in your gait, which, over time, create dysfunction in your foot’s biomechanics.

Orthotics can help restore optimal mechanics to relieve stress on the plantar fascia and thus, with time, reduce irritation and pain.

Over-the-counter orthotics aren’t going to be effective in treating your plantar fasciitis, however. At Go Feet, we create orthotics that fit the exact measurements of your foot and account for the particular irregularities in your heel.

A well-made custom orthotic redistributes the pressure placed on your foot, so your heel takes less stress and prevents the formation of heel spurs, bunions, and plantar fasciitis.

OTHER TREATMENTS FOR PLANTAR FASCIITIS

Orthotics alone are not a magic cure. They are part of a comprehensive treatment plan that includes physical therapy stretching exercises and pain medications.

Stretching exercises are particularly helpful as they improve the flexibility and stamina of the plantar fascia and surrounding tissue. Plus, the exercises work to increase blood flow, which helps reduce inflammation and promotes healing.

These exercises focus not only on the heel itself, but areas like your Achilles tendon and calf muscles. When surrounding muscles are tight or dysfunctional, they force more stress onto your plantar fascia, contributing to inflammation.

If you suffer symptoms that suggest plantar fasciitis, make an appointment at Go Feet for an evaluation and treatment. Many people ignore the symptoms and then the condition sets in for months or even years. Early intervention improves the chances that you’ll see a quicker resolution.

Call one of our three locations today, or use the online tool to schedule.