Sunday, May 18, 2008

Shoes For Plantar Fasciitis

Shoes For Plantar Fasciitis
Appropriate shoes are the first line of defense against
pain from plantar fasciitis. With every step, pressure is
put on the plantar fascia. When the plantar fascia ligament
becomes overused, overstretched, or injured, it causes
plantar fasciitis.

When proper footwear is used in combination of doing
stretching exercises for plantar fasciitis, surgery can
often be avoided. For some people, wearing supportive
shoes, with orthotics if necessary, is the only treatment
they need to allow them to continue with daily activities
without experiencing pain.

If orthotics such as heel lifts and arch supports are being
used, the patient should use them when trying on new shoes.
This will ensure that the new shoes will accommodate the
orthotics. Arch supports help relieve pressure on the
plantar fascia and help absorb shock.

When the fit of the shoe is critical, the patient should
try on shoes late in the day. This is because as the day
progresses, feet become slightly larger than they are first
thing in the morning. People often have one foot slightly
wider than the other. If this is true for the patient, new
shoes should be selected based on how they fit on the
larger foot. Wearing shoes that are too small is likely to
aggravate the symptoms of plantar fasciitis.

Shoes should have good arch support and heel cushioning.
Shoes that lack support and cushioning add to the stress on
the plantar fascia. Shoes with high heels or pointy toes
should be avoided. A low to moderate heel is a better
choice. A flimsy, extremely low heel does not supply
adequate support.

When trying on shoes, pay attention to the cushioning and
support of the arch, heel, and ball of your feet. Shoes
should fit well and not cause pressure on any part of the
foot. To avoid other foot problems like bunions, choose
shoes that have a roomy toe box, the area that surrounds
the toes. Watch for seams that may irritate your foot.

Athletic shoes that fit well are a good choice. Athletic
shoes should be replaced often due to the fact that they
stop cushioning your feet. The insoles of athletic shoes
break down over time with use. You can tell the significant
difference in support between old, worn-out athletic shoes
and new ones.

Shoes that do not fit securely on the foot should be
avoided. Sandals and shoes with open heels are not good
choices for people with plantar fasciitis. Going barefoot
should also be avoided. Some people find it helpful to put
their shoes on immediately upon getting out of bed in the
morning.

When shopping for shoes, remember that finding shoes that
offer support and cushioning is the highest priority. The
doctor may recommend criteria for shoes best suited for
patients with plantar fasciitis.


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Allan Tan is the creator of http://www.foot-care.org/dir/ .
At this directory, you can find the nearest podiatrist near
you. He also created a foot health forum which you can use
for free to ask podiatrists on foot related questions.

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