Plantar fasciitis is a condition that affects the plantar fascia, a part of the foot that is affected by excessive standing, weight gain, and overuse. It can be caused by degeneration of tissue, which can result from overloading or overuse. The condition can affect individuals with flat feet, high arches, wide feet, or narrow feet. To reduce the pain caused by plantar fasciitis, it is essential to maintain a healthy weight, choose supportive shoes with a low to moderate heel, thick soles, good arch support, and extra cushioning.
Flat shoes, such as fashion sneakers, plain thongs, slippers, and ballet flats, are not recommended for plantar fasciitis sufferers. The second most critical time in each step is when the forefoot hits the ground, where the fascia has to go from being slack to being taut. Barefoot type shoes can be great to correct plantar fasciitis, but wearing flat shoes like flip-flops or going barefoot can lead to plantar fasciitis.
The best shoes for plantar fasciitis tend to be flat or low heels, with the best shoes being flat or low heels. If you wear very high heels, you may experience plantar fasciitis. Wearing flat shoes can strain the plantar fascia and cause soreness in your feet. Flat shoes offer little to no support for the arches of your feet, meaning that your plantar fascia isn’t properly supported.
To prevent and recover from conditions like plantar fasciitis, it is crucial to choose flats with arch support. Shoes should have a firm sole, adequate cushioning, appropriate arch support, and comfort enough to wear consistently.
In summary, plantar fasciitis is a common injury that can be treated with self-care tips and proper footwear. By maintaining a healthy weight, choosing supportive shoes with a low to moderate heel, thick soles, good arch support, and extra cushioning, and changing your sport, you can help alleviate the pain caused by plantar fasciitis.
📹 Type of Shoes You Should Wear With Plantar Fasciitis
Type of Shoes You Should Wear With Plantar Fasciitis Bob and Brad demonstrate how to find the perfect support you need and …
Should you wear shoes around house if you have plantar fasciitis?
Dr. Peden suggests that footwear can be viewed as shock absorbers, with some individuals needing more shock absorption. For those with sore feet or past foot problems, wearing “house shoes” or “house slippers” is recommended, which are hard-soled, slip-on shoes or slippers worn exclusively inside the home to prevent dirt or bacteria infiltration. If experiencing foot pain, it’s important to seek medical help.
Can you wear flats if you have plantar fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis can be exacerbated by wearing inappropriate shoes, such as flats, flip flops, and bare feet. Flats provide little to no support for the arches of the feet, causing the plantar fascia to not distribute weight and impact as well. This can result in further strain and flattened arch, which is detrimental to plantar fasciitis. Flip flops, with their flat, skinny soles, absorb minimal impact, leaving the arch to support weight and strain. They also lack support for the heel, allowing the foot to shift unexpectedly, straining the plantar fascia or other muscles and ligaments.
Bare feet, while initially seeming natural, can significantly strain the plantar fascia and cause further strain. Without proper support, the feet are left to absorb the full impact of physical activity, causing the plantar fascia to become strained. Going barefoot can exacerbate the condition quickly.
Is it OK to go barefoot with plantar fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is a common and painful condition affecting the plantar fascia, a band of tissue connecting the heel to the toes. People with this condition often experience sharp pain in the heel or arch of the foot, particularly in the morning or after prolonged periods of rest. Going barefoot can worsen symptoms and delay the healing process.
One of the primary reasons to avoid going barefoot is the lack of proper support. Shoes designed for individuals with plantar fasciitis provide essential arch support, cushioning, and stability, which distribute pressure evenly across the foot, reducing strain on the plantar fascia. Going barefoot exposes the foot to hard surfaces and provides no additional support, leading to increased stress on the inflamed tissue.
Walking or standing barefoot puts excessive strain on the plantar fascia, exposing it to impact and pressure from the ground, exacerbates inflammation, and leads to heightened pain and a prolonged recovery period. Lucky Shoes recommends wearing proper footwear at home, such as the Gemma Slipper by Vionic, to help heal plantar fasciitis.
What shoes should you avoid with plantar fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is a foot condition that can be exacerbated by high heels and stiletto heels, flats, and flip-flops. It is crucial to invest in good shoes for their support and care, as feet spend a significant portion of our lives on them. According to podiatrist Gina Hild, DPM, the best shoes for plantar fasciitis patients should include shoes that provide adequate support and care, such as flats and flip-flops, as well as those that are comfortable and supportive.
Are flat feet more prone to plantar fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is a common foot condition caused by strain injuries, affecting the fibrous tissue that connects the heel bone to the foot. When this ligament becomes inflamed, it results in heel pain, heel spurs, or arch pain. The pain is felt on the inside of the foot where the heel and arch meet, and is most severe in the mornings or after a long rest. Flat feet are the leading cause of plantar fasciitis, as the fascia gets stretched away from the heel when bearing weight.
Treatment may involve orthotics supporting the arch. Patients should consult a podiatrist to determine the cause and treatment method. If experiencing heel pain or symptoms, contact Dr. Richard Silverstein from Union Foot Care for pain-free care and support. The pain usually starts to disappear with walking, but returns after prolonged standing or sitting.
Should I limit walking with plantar fasciitis?
In order to prevent foot injuries, it is recommended that rest be taken, as well as that running, excessive walking, and standing be avoided. It is recommended that specific exercises be performed twice daily. One such exercise is standing with the injured leg straight and facing a wall, and then stepping backwards. The individual should then bend the other knee until a sensation of stretch is felt in the calf muscle. This should be maintained for a period of 30 seconds, after which the process should be repeated three times per day.
What is commonly mistaken for plantar fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is a common foot condition, but it can also be asymptomatic of other conditions like heel spurs, tarsal tunnel syndrome, Achilles tendinitis, stress fractures, and bursitis. It is crucial to consult a podiatrist for an accurate diagnosis and a tailored treatment plan. Early diagnosis and proper treatment can significantly improve foot health and overall well-being. If you experience foot pain or discomfort, it is essential to seek expert guidance and care from a qualified podiatrist.
What not to do with plantar fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is a condition characterized by excessive strain on the plantar fascia, which can be caused by high-impact activities like running, jumping, or certain sports. Instead, opt for low-impact activities like swimming or cycling. Limit the number of stairs you climb daily or use an elevator instead. The key to managing plantar fasciitis is to reduce stress on the fascia, which can speed up recovery and prevent future flare-ups. Some actions can worsen the condition and delay recovery.
Should you walk barefoot if you have flat feet?
Walking barefoot is an easy and effective exercise to strengthen feet, ankles, and lower legs, as well as retrain arches. Short foot exercises, such as standing on a flat surface and tightening the arch, can improve motor control, balance, and posture. To perform these exercises, stand up straight, squeeze your midfoot, and press your toes firmly into the ground. Do 2-3 sets of 20 reps, and gradually increase the difficulty as you become more comfortable. Standing on one leg can also help maintain balance, as the deep foot needs to work harder to maintain balance.
Are flat shoes bad for flat feet?
Flat shoes can cause discomfort or pain, especially for those with flat feet or fallen arches. Inadequate arch support can contribute to conditions like plantar fasciitis. Shoes with low or no heel strain the Achilles tendon, leading to tightness, discomfort, or injury. Wearing flat shoes for extended periods can result in foot fatigue, especially when standing or walking on hard surfaces. Proper shock absorption is crucial for preventing foot fatigue and promoting overall health.
Is it okay to walk a lot with plantar fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is a condition that can be treated with various methods, including walking, avoiding hard surfaces, changing shoes, icing the foot and heel, prescribing a foot brace, resting and elevating the foot, seeing a physical therapist, taking a steroid shot in the foot to reduce inflammation, taking over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications, and performing toe and calf stretches several times a day. However, the pain may worsen throughout the day, affecting daily activities and potentially inflaming the plantar fascia more, leading to an extension of treatment.
It is important to note that not wearing the right shoes or exerting excessively can further inflame the ligament. Treatment can take six to nine months after a doctor and patient agree on a treatment plan.
📹 What to Look for in a Flat Styled Dress / Casual Shoe (Flats) to Prevent Plantar Fasciitis
Dr. Jackie Satara podiatrist and member of Vionics Innovation Lab describes what to look for in a flat. Flats are what women wear …
Are you looking for more information on treating plantar fasciitis? In our complete Plantar Fasciitis Series, Bob and Brad demonstrate tests and treatments for plantar fasciitis. This includes exercises, stretches, and other techniques that can be done at home to decrease foot pain. Find the full playlist here youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8l32k1r15l5-EIbYLx-HiiypueuVsiMH
Being a nurse I was on my feet 12+ hours a day. I felt like someone was beating my heel with a sledge hammer. After spending hundred of dollars on many different kinds of shoes, I found Vionics. Best relief for PF. It was instant! They have sneakers, heels, sandals, slippers and inserts only. All my shoes that are not Vionics brand have the inserts. No foot pain ever.
What amazes me is those of us that suffer from PF have so many things that adversely affects the condition or seem to improve it but no two of us are alike. My feet are flat and a higher firmer arch in a shoe does me best. Man, do I wish there was a one size fits all fix. PF has severely affected my life at times to the point of dreading those first steps out of bed. It tempers my whole day.
For years podiatrists, sports therapists, and doctors told me I was an over-pronator. PF on both feet for over years. I had the super-stiff shoes, ran in the super-rigids, had the injections (ouch!), and suffered something crazy. Then looked at my body, did the wet feet, paper bag test, and lo, I was an under-pronator. A combo of stretches and softer to normal shoes means I’ve been pain free for some years. I miss my rigid brogues – they looked and sounded smart in a suit, but they are just for occasional dress-ups now. I keep up the stretches advocated by these great guys and, yes, the wet feet/dry paper test is basic but other pros diagnosed without it. Great work, Bob and Brad, the wife and I are learning a lot. 🇬🇧
I have to disagree with the arch support requirement. I had PF, and did lots of (prescribed) physical therapy and foot stretches. I used PF supports for a couple of months. After five months, it was mostly gone. Then I switched to flexible zero-drop shoes (Minnetonka suede boots primarily, because it was winter.) The last of my pain was gone in about five days. Since my pain had been steady for almost a month, it was remarkable. I have not worn shoes with any heels in four or five years, except three times briefly for events. And those are the only times I have had any PF twinges. No arch support except my foot’s own support. I don’t even use arch support for hiking, and I’m better than ever. Meanwhile, the doctor who referred me was still suffering with PF a year later, and she began PT and all the conventional stuff six months before me. So if your PF won’t go away even if you’re doing everything right, do your own research.
Since wearing New Balance Vaygo V2 my arch pain has gone! These shoes are firm, offer stability, have removable insoles and are affordable. I got them in wide because they felt comfortable, even though I have normal feet. And that’s the most important thing. Go for shoes that are comfortable to you regardless of what a professional will tell you.
I still believe that it is very dipasponting that top-tier running shoes costing more than US$150 commonly have an average life of approx 450 miles (my ASICS Kayanos died at 350 miles, btw I am average sized and 95% of my running was done on un-paved park paths).That is extremely substandard when compared to any other product at a similar cost. NOT good enough!
I don’t know who needs to read this, but: DO NOT BUY THE SHOE IF THEY DO NOT FEEL 10000% COMFORTABLE AS SOON AS YOU TRY THEM ON IN THE STORE. Do NOT buy something just because it’s the “best” option they’ve got in-stock or whatever. I have made this mistake so many times. These stability shoes cost a lot.
I have high arch and wear 4 E shoes so I am limited on a few brands .The right kind of shoe even without a fancy shoe insert is crucial to managing Plantar fasciitis without the need for podiatrist visit or fancy custom fit inserts . A year ago I was forced to switch to a different shoe model, but the same brand that I have always worn for about 6 years, because I thought the model i have always worn was phased out . Prior to that switch i am basically symptom free for maybe 10 years by using just the shoe that fits. Lo and behold, a few weeks after the switch my Plantar Fasciitis came back with a vengeance, to the point that I wanted to visit a podiatrist. Sought the advice of nurse friends and received recommendation for Hokas. While Hokas indeed have excellent cushioning, 4 E size 11.5 looks really huge and there is still a touch of discomfort on arch part although minimal on the 2 Hokas models I tried. So I had to return the Hokas and tried my luck on the New Balance that I always worn and to my surprise the model I always worn has always been available but has a new version. Ordered a new pair and just like that I am mostly pain-free and saved a whole lot of money . My point is there’s no cookie cutter solution to finding the perfect shoes that work for your feet 🦶 suffering from plantar fasciitis. And it’s hard work to find it . Also when you do have a flare up of pain.. don’t neglect icing or cold therapy to ease the flare up… exercises and stretching probably can help for some but in my experience, I got better relief with cold therapy.
I work 10 hour days and sometimes 12 standing on concrete 5 days a week and an extra 4 to 6 on Saturdays. I have tried Nike, Sketchers, Asics, Merrell, and many work boots all costing around 80 to 120 dollars. As far as sneakers go I have found they all feel good for a month or two then they break down inside ( even though the shoe still looks great inside and out ) and my feet absolutely kill me. One day My feet were in such pain I went to buy some new sneaker / tennis shoes and the shoe store was closed due to snow. I just decided to get some cheap Avia tennis shoes at Wal-Mart until I could get a better pair. Well I found these cheap 24 dollar shoes are the most comfortable shoes I have worn and so far after 4 months my feet have not hurt yet. So try them out .
I have very high arc and learned the fuss about plantar fasciitis when I wake up one morning limping into the bathroom. Tried inserts which seems to offer some relief at work and used ASICS high arch running shoes for casual wear. I came across the Merrill crosslander vent and tried it on and was pleasantly surprised with how comfortable they are to my feet. The high arch design of the shoes is rigid and provides good contact. Went on a holiday that involves a lot of city walking for 4 days and my feet never hurt.
Funny thing is that probably the shoes cause the problem instead of the foot itself. I came to this insight when I underwent a biomechanical screening. I was pronating severely when I was wearing shoes, as oppose to when I was running barefoot. When running barefoot I was in the normal range, meaning an acceptable angle between ankle (foot) and leg. This shows imo that shoe selection indeed is very important. Thank you, B&B!
I went several years with no issues after changing both my work boots and my daily walking shoes. Now have bad PF in my right foot. Started after I went to a new pair of walking shoes. I find that it is very hard to get similar models of shoes over time – constant changes by New Balance Since I wear size 15 shoes, my choices a fairly limited and no stores actually carry them in stock.
I had painful Plantar Fasciitis where I could barely walk across a room nearly 20 years ago, my doctor suggested trying SuperFeet, $30 before being fitted with expensive orthotics, within a few weeks the pain was gone. Ever since then I have had SuperFeet in all my shoes and Plantar Fasciitis has not returned.
I think I did the best job I could getting rid of my plantars fasciitis. Of course it feels like you’re walking on a broken beer bottle. Thankfully I only had it in my right foot and not both feet or I’m pretty sure I would’ve died from the pain.😩 immediately I ordered some orthotics online -that of course didn’t arrive for weeks. In the interim, I spent as much time off my feet literally in my recliner pulling my toes back to stretch out the calves. And when I wasn’t stretching, I was rolling my right foot on a freezing cold can of seltzer. It shapes to your foot and feels great. What helped me the most was buying a pair of crocs & believe it or not using the Dr. Scholl’s kiosk at the local Walmart. The kiosk directed me to stand on it, and then it shows whatever it shows & I bought the suggested inserts -put them in my crocs & immediately felt relief. The pain was gone in 3-4 Wks. Now I have inserts in my Crocs… orthotics in my flats and gel heels in my walking shoes.
I was diagnosed with plantar fasciitis in 2014. In 2018, my chiropractor recommended these custom orthotics because I also have scoliosis and spondylolisthesis. They didn’t even come up close to the top of my arch, the fitting part didn’t even measure how high my arch was. My arches are so high that I often have trouble finding shoes that my foot will go in to. I wore the orthotics for a few months and the pain had worsened to the point that I was in agony. I’m just glad the orthotics were covered by health insurance. They were about $400. I would have been pretty upset if I was out that kind of cash for something that didn’t help at all. I went back to wearing Birkenstocks, like I’d been doing for years. I wear them basically all the time. I also use insoles, for my non-sandal shoes, from a company called Superfeet. They have colour-coding, where green is for really high arches. They are a little pricey but worth every penny. My pain is basically gone now.
I have had plantar fasciitis in both feet at one time or another, and I find SAS shoes (San Antonio Shoemakers) to be very comfortable and offer great arch support. When you go to one of their brick and mortar stores, they measure your feet just like they should. They also sell online and have wide widths.
Minimalist footwear like Vibrams and Merrell is the ONLY way to really fix PF! Everyone with PF take note: the reason that we develop PF in the first place is because we keep our feet in COFFINS all our life and our foot muscles never develop and strengthen the way they’re supposed to. Adding more gadgets and arch support may make it feel better, but it’s actually making the problem WORSE because it is making the muscles even more loose! The only true fix for PF is to build up the muscles in your feet and start using them the right way! Minimalist shoes like Vibram and Merrell are the only way to go that will really cure PF because they allow you to USE YOUR FEET THE WAY THE LORD (OR UNIVERSE) INTENDED! It takes time to transition into barefoot footware, but it is so infinitely worth it. My PF is gone, and many of the knee/hip/and back issues I had have been eradicated with Vibrams because I am finally using my body the way its supposed to be moving.
When I experienced this badly one thing that helped greatly was rigid plastic heel cups that you wear inside your shoes. The dont allow the sole of your foot to spread when you step down and it helps the inflammation. One other thing that actually helped is when I went keto. Takes the inflammation all away
I was diagnosed with PF in mid 2020 and I have wide feet, since then I’ve been trying to find affordable shoes that will meet my needs and size and it’s been difficult trying to figure out what to get. Thank you for this article, it’s been such a disappointing journey trying to find something, but now I have an idea of what to get.
I’m 60+ and suffered from PF in both feet for decades. I used supportive shoes like the ones the guys feature in the vid. As soon as there was a short period between pain outbreaks, I did foot and ankle exercises and stretches every day, starting slow and easy. Then I got some minimalist shoes and started wearing them a little at a time. In a year or so, I have zero PF or other foot problems. I hike miles on both flat and rugged terrain. I now believe that wearing supportive shoes too often (or when you simply do not need the support) actually leads to foot problems. Your feet need to become strong and flexible. Go barefoot and get a pair of minimalist “barefoot” shoes and try for yourself.
I love my Hoka One One shoes. The Machs and the Bondi 6 are cushy and have neutral stability. I have flat feet but they supinate instead of pronating. My feet roll out and most running shoes are for pronators and they roll my feet out far too much. Also, being past 60, the fat pads are thinning and I need cushion. The shoes look sorta clunky but they’re lightweight and the colors are great.
I have super flat feet almost no arch. Anytime i wear a shoe with an arch it hurts so much after half an hour. I walk on concrete and although support is all that is preached about, i always look for as much cushion as possible to take the stress off my bones and ankle. What is the answer? Cushion or support?
I suffered from plantar fasciitis for around 3 years. I tried stretching, night sprint and ice for around 2 years without much relief. After that, I tried a steroid injection as advised by a renowned doctor but after 6-month more intense pain returned. One of the doctors advised me to reduce weight and wear a “doctor extra soft slipper”. As I can’t wear slipper to the office, I bought a pair of gel nimbus as advice over the blogs. **And surprisingly, the pain was gone within 10 days of the use of gel nimbus and doctor slippers. **I just made sure to wear either the shoe or slippers and never walked barefoot. Gel nimbus 22 was expensive but worth each penny, but not sure about latest nimbus versions.
Zero drop shoes fixed my PF. I’ve suffered PF since middle school and I was a skinny kid that was active in track, basketball and football. Weight wasn’t an issue for me but my feet got worse over the years. Once I ditched my adidas boost, hard dress shoes with elevated heels my PF went away. My feet got sore because the muscles were finally working the way they are meant to work. Slowly my feet got stronger and my pain went away. Now I own multiple shoes from various companies and all are zero drop minimalist shoes. We are not meant to be on elevated shoes and having our toes smooshed together.
I can tell you of a woman of 65. I wore high heels (3-4″) for many years. I wore arch support shoes and they began to make my feet hurt. Instead of the first thing being my bra to take off as soon as I walked in the door, it was my shoes. LOL I now where Sketcher loafers and put gel insoles in them and way more comfortable.
This moved the inflammation out of my husbands foot after using for 3 times, the pain had been bad for near a year. 2 – 5 gallon buckets, Epson Salt for the hot water ~ soak 3 munutes. Cold water in the other bucket ~ soak 1 minute. Repeat 4-7 times. The hot water does not need to be painful. The cold water add a few frozen water bottles to get cold. This flushes oxygen and nutrients while flushing inflammation. End on the warm water.
Before believing you have plantar fasciitis,check with a chiropractor you may have something pinched in your lower back,after being treated for plantar fasciitis by a regular doctor and therapists for over a year,went to a chiropractor and in less then two weeks never had another problem with the sore heels and feet.
I have a major problem finding shoes because I have one flat/fallen arch and one pretty high arch. I have had rheumatoid arthritis since I was a kid, and it affected the way my feet formed. I usually go with a neutral/cushion shoe, but I really miss the stability shoes of old. That seems to be a fading category.
I just started having problems with my right foot in May of this year. It has since gotten worse and causing me to miss work because I cannot walk on my foot some days without excruciating pain. I’m on my feet at my 8 hour job the entire time. For the first 3 hours I can wear regular shoes. For the last 5 hours I have to put on steel toe shoes. I usually buy wide shoes but didn’t on my last purchase. My shoes aren’t actually steel toe, they are composite. Also, they are a tenni style shoe. Because I didn’t get a wide shoe, I had to loosen up the strings a lot so the shoe wasn’t so tight squeezing my foot. I just don’t know what to do anymore. Shoes are expensive if you buy the wrong ones. And the pain caused by plantar fasciitis is unbearable.
Your suggestions are completely off base. I switch completely to Virbram Five Finger shoes almost three years ago after suffering plantar faciitis twice in 4 years. I now wear five finger shoes full time during most of the year and very thin soles Xero sandels during the hotest part of the year. I have no more heel pain, no more chronic althetics foot fungus, no more buniettes, no more bunions, my arch is back, no more flat feet, and much stronger, toe, leg and back muscles.
I have a foot Dr that only recommends New Balance, Brooks, or another brand I also disagree with. I’ve worn them and they’re not helpful to me. He wants my husband to wear those shoes bcz he keeps getting wounds on his feet bcz he’s diabetic. I’m not diabetic. (We have the same dr) I thought I needed cushion for my high arches, but I found a walking shoe by Kuru that works better. It has arch support and is comfortable as well, but it has less cushioning. My feet stopped hurting as much. I also heard a Dr on a article say that people should have a shoe closer to being barefoot, that was a guest on a podcast. Who’s right? I’d like to get rid of PF permanently. I always buy good shoes that are never under $100 and have built in arch support. Especially bcz insurance won’t cover inserts for shoes. Jobs make us walk on hard tile or cement floors that mess up our feet.
As someone who has suffered from excruciating pain for a little over a year with pf or a bone spur and having done the ice and stretching and taping, the $250 OnCloud and Hoka shoes………..the streching and everything else they say . There’s a lady. Dr on YouTube called the PF Dr and she said go barefoot for a few days and when I wear shoes to use the least arch support as possible and wide toe box. Pain free after 3 days now. Check back if you want to know if it sticks. Literally, one weekend and evenings around the house barefooted and I can barely tell there’s anything there now. I love Bob and Brad articles but there methods for PF didn’t do it for me. I’m sure it’s different for everyone.
I always wear Nike Air Max with a lot of cushioning and put arch support insoles inside them. I only wear shoes with good cushioning, I avoid all the strappy sandals and heels, and also “fashion” trainers. I overpronate and hate flexible feet and my arches collapse when I stand, so I always need to wear my insoles
Why would you go against the natural pronation of the foot? If the foot needs to pronate to absorb shock and you put a slab of plastic to prevent it from doing it, isn’t that going to hurt the arch? I mean, isn’t it better to focus on the content (the foot mobility) rather than the container (the shoes)?
Really appreciate the tips you guys give. I’ve got a flat foot and have struggled with back pain my whole life but with motion control shoes and doing exercises to work on my arch I was able to work in my wood shop yesterday, standing for three hours straight without any back pain. I’ve never been able to stand more than 15 minutes without my back hurting. Thanks guys.
All these shoes do is make your foot weaker, I have worn top quality shoes all my life with cushioning and arch supports, and I have extremely painful plantar faucitis why because my feet are week and have never done the work to support my body due to all the crap in the shoes, after much research I am going to bare foot zero drop shoes and am learning to walk the way we are designed too, no heel strike but forefoot first
I have autoimmune diseases and problem is during summer my feet swell pretty bad actually all of me swell badly. Skechers that were very cushioned but the problem is is that it was a very low ankle so it’s impossible to wear. I tried so many different types of shoes so in the summer I have to wear something more or less for flat-footed people but usually I have a very high arch very high so I can get away with the first shoe I actually have the first one and usually love it but bad for swelling severely and flat foot
Sketchers Archfit – they’re new this year and they’re the best pair of shoes I’ve ever owned. I’m on my feet all day long and the pain was getting worse and worse, so bad that I could barely walk until I bought these shoes, in three days the pain went from a Ten being the worst to a three. Some mornings when I get out of bed the pain in my heels is still there but it doesn’t last long once I stretch a bit and it’s not every day that I have that pain like it was before I started wearing the Archfit shoes. It’s probably going take more time to heal completely, but now when walking in my Archfit shoes there’s very little to no pain. I highly recommend these shoes. Stretching often during the day helps too
I had P F & boy oh boy it was extremely extremely uncomfortable..The thing with PF is – it affects you every minute of your waking day.. Only relief is at night – when no weight pressure is on the foot…The thing is – just walking to work or walking to the shop’s to get basic food is unbearably painful…I tried to explain to partner about the pain – ” it’s like walking with a huge bad bruise on your foot” – but I got no sympathy 😅 – joking aside I hope I don’t get it again as after 6 months or so of pure hell pain – my foot has got better.. I don’t know if it naturally got better – as I watched article’s on YouTube & did some foot stretches – stretching toes up & stretching toes down, giving a good old stretch….but boy I don’t wish PF on anyone…
I have had chronic PF over the years from overdue the walking of my dog (too many miles) on a cement surface. I try when I can to walk on soft forest ground, but this does not always work for us. I sure appreciate your efforts on this topic. I need a wide toe box and a narrow ankle area in a shoe. I also pronate….. the shoes and house slippers I have been wearing most successfully have been Keen with custom orthodotics in them?. PLEASE give the brands of each of those show you are showing. WHAT IS YOUR OPINION ON CUSTOM ORTHODITICS?
healthcare worker here. I’ve been researching and researching for shoes that would help with burning sensation in my feet, and also experiencing a little bit of fatigue into the 5th hour of working. My feet are flat which may make things difficult. I was wondering if you can give me any tips on getting a pair of shoes? I’ve seen all of the typical shoes that everyone in healthcare post about on YouTube. I’m also wondering if a shoe with a zero drop will be good for me?
Ridged foot here too. Was told to wear shoes that go around the ankle to keep that stable. My PF is withstanding a lot of stuff. I sleep with my feet at 90 degrees (no splint, podiatrist was surprised – I …fell asleep waiting for him to get in the room ROFL). I “walk” on my toes, to get pressure off my legs etc. Arches were not working without ankle support. Just wondering how much research is on the ankle support thing? I’ve looked through your vids and I didn’t see anything on it. I have issues finding research on it myself, but it has made a big difference.
Plantar fasciitis is caused by shoes with good arch support. Why do humans have a plantar arch if it isn’t suited to supporting our weight? Cure plantar fasciitis by going barefoot. This trains not just the muscles of the feet and ankles, but also the neurological control of those muscles. Sincerely, -Overweight pushing-40 plantar fasciitis patient with no foot pain.
QUESTIONS: I have had planter fasciitis for the past 3 months. I have seen afoot Dr. He has already given me 2 shots in my foot. I work in dialysis. 3 days from 4:30 am to 7:30 pm and later sometimes 3 days a week. I don’t get to set much. I have an insert for my shoes, o have the rocker HOKA shoes. I’d don’t know if they are the best. I walk so much my feet are killing me whe I get home. I use a frozen water bottle to roll my foot over. I need to get a better brace. The finer o e I do t wear at all. Too billet. Can’t sleep. What are some other thing to help me get over it. It seems to not be going away
Brad, I’m a Minneapolisan and After years of running with no care for what kinda shoes I was wearing, I suddenly started having bad pain in my big toe, exactly where your article on sesamoiditis says it is. Swelling on top of toe too. I think I got a bone spur from years of running in cheap low cushion shoes since this pain was very dull for years before. Rocker soles have been helpful!
Had this horrible condition and suffered from it for around 2 years… till one night I switched to sleeping on my tummy and it went away the next morning. I guess it could be the way the arch is bent that solved it… but in a way its the opposite of the stretches recommended by the doctors and physios (which did give me temporary relief but never solved it ). Never looked back … people who find it difficult breathing when lying on their tummy are not recommended to try this. Cheers.
Why not walking “onto” the paper in order to get the impression from actual forward gate movement??? I’ve taken my impressions by doing both and there’s significant difference! Please address this because I have bad foot pain that’s NOT plantar fasciitis! Flat feet, with pronation!! Pain on TOP of one foot! Thanks!
I believe I have a normal arch, but I am bow legged. I have a couple of herniated disc‘s that pop out once in a while, and I successfully treat them with an inversion table. Recently I’ve been breaking in a pair of redwing Iron rangers for the first time, and would swap them out for my regular sneakers frequently. While at work the other night … my disc was aggravated while I was wearing my sneakers, and I switched back to the iron rangers. The pain in my back was Instantly gone. Gonna keep Experimenting with my footwear, don’t really know what to make of that yet … 🤷🏻♂️
I have pretty flat feet, my left foot is really bad, sometimes getting swollen and really just causing problems. I went to get new sneakers and although I love Asics, they do not fit my feet well, they are too narrow I guess. I bought a pair of Brooks Running shoes and fell in love. They fit my feet perfect and provide the most support. I never knew it was Plantar Fasciitis that I had, but when I found out and got the right shoe, it made a huge difference. It is a constant stuggle with my foot, between reflexology massages and bracing, these sneakers are awesome. Try Brooks if you can. 🙂💙
Good veido. I walk everyday, I have for yrs. Just recently my heel on my left foot hurts so bad. I found you guys and started doing foot exercise. At first I thought I might be dehydrated, because it’s been so hot and I can only handle so much water. I’m 71 and figured it’s been alot of miles on these feet. I’m going to go get a pedicure soon. I think that will help.
Thank you so much for going over what types of shoes there are. I have a high arch and this is the second time I’ve had Plantar Fasciitis. First time on the right foot it took 9 months to heel. I play tennis and have been doing yoga for the past 3 years. This second time is effecting my left foot. It seems since I added yoga to my routine I have had more problems. I am wondering if I’m stretching too much and causing my Plantar Fasciitis to worsen. Is this even possible?
The solution for me was to rest, get off my feet and learn how to stretch my leg muscles and floss my leg nerves. Then I went barefoot. And I learned yoga and dance in bare feet. Now after years of pain and repair I can walk, hike and jog. I use a neutral shoe. I do not use anything with arch support. Arch support actually made my problem worse.
NO SHOES! I suffered from PF for 10 years then I read Katy Bowman’s book on feet & started wearing pedicure toe separators to bed at night as long as I could stand them because they hurt. After 3 days, I started walking barefoot for the 1st time in 10 years & have never gone back. All my shoes are barefoot, minimalist (usually cheap) shoes and my feet are STRONG!!!!!
I suffered from plantar fasciatis for a long time in my 30s, eventually what fixed it was the opposite to this article. Not wearing running shoes with arch support and switching to being barefoot at home and wearing totally flat shoes with no support worked for me. I’ve not had a problem for over a decade now.
I found that the Saucony Ride ISO 2 worked well for my running. I have a medium to slightly high arch, with a near neutral strike. It really had that ability to cushion the heel a bit, keep the arch protected, but enough spring, that I could do light sprints and distance running in… I find saucony better overall shoes then some of the competitors likewise shoes.
I injured my foot badly as a child and it wasn’t fixed properly. Fast forward years later I have osteoarthritis in my bone and plantar fasciitis. I’m in pain most of the time. Some days are worse than other days. A few years ago a doctor at my local hospital took plaster casts of my feet and had some insteps (or whatever you call them) made to put in my shoes. I was advised to wear them in a good pair of running shoes. Back then I was a single parent to a small child with no money so I bought a pair of Reeboks on credit from my catalogue on buy now and pay later. They were expensive but I was happy to have them. The next night I wore those shoes to work and I had to take them off to go in the water (I work as a swimming teacher and sometimes have to teach in the water) When I went to get changed I noticed my new shoes and insteps had been stolen and in their place was a pair of old worn out smelly shoes that were so disgusting I couldn’t wear them. I just sat down and cried. I wasn’t able to get new insteps made for me and six months later I got the bill for the shoes I never got to wear for longer than one night. I managed to get some insteps from Ebay and now I mainly have to tape up my foot almost permanently as things have got a lot worse over the years. I’m glad I can watch all these articles with tips, management, treatment etc.
Thank you for all of this helpful info! The morning stretches are making a big difference. I was a relatively new runner when I developed PF. It was shortly after I bought my first “real” pair of expensive running shoes from a high end running shoe retailer. They told me to buy running shoes that were 1/2 a size bigger than my usual shoes since feet expand while running. The trouble is, my left foot is half a size smaller than my right, so I ended up a full size up on my left foot. This is the foot I developed PF in. Do you agree that runners should buy 1/2 size up? If my feet are a full half-size difference, what size should I buy? The smaller or the bigger? Thank you so much!!
Not sure if what I have is pf. Heel pain in a place I can’t find illustrated in google images. 🤷🏻♀️ In any case, this was great information. Now, I have to find a shoe store (rural VA dweller here). I have a pair of Brooks that serve me well and seem to fit your advice. But, I need to replace some Abeo sandals. Thx so much! 💛
These are doctors? Really? I watched one of their competitors and she too is a Foot Dr. She said all of the shoes shown in this article are the worst shoes you can wear. She is right! I have two pair of Altra shoes, no arch support and no thick cushoined heels. In just one week, I switched out of my Sketchers and went back to my Altras and my pain is gone. Be careful which Dr. you fall in love with folks. Get some Altras, and start walking pain free again!
Bob & Brad, Great Information, I will check my arch type tomorrow. I have been walking (17 min 1.5 mi) 3 to 6 mi for last 3 years. My right heel is giving me trouble, goes away once I get warmed up, not always. I must switch over to a good lighter weight walking shoe. I have worn out a lot of Keens low to mid ankle height hiking shoe, but I feel the quality has just gone away since 2008. Thanks
Hey thanks making this article give me good info on shoe wear. I so happen had got run shoe has good arch support. Only bends at toes. I’ve had plantar fasciitis for so many years and now with my neuropathy burning feet combined makes it painful but the stretching seems to help along with some medication. I’ll keep up the stretching as need thru out my day. Question I have a plantar fasciitis insoles even though my tennis shoe has good support is it okay to still put the support inside for added help? Thanks…
I’ve been having problems with plantar fasciitis for a number of years now. Shoes with arch support or adding insoles can help alleviate the pain, but I don’t believe it’s a permanent fix. The more I’ve researched this problem the more I’ve come to different solutions. 1. It’s how you walk! If you are walking “duck foot” your ankles are rolling in a bit and putting pressure on the inside of the foot. Bad! Focus on walking with your feet straight. This may require doing exercises and stretching your hips. If you have bad posture this may be causing problems in the hips and duck foot walking. 2. Arch support in footwear is a crutch! We need to strengthen our feet muscles (starting slowly) walking barefoot or barefoot shoes is a good way to do this. I have recently got a pair of Altra shoes and they have good cusion but are zero drop and wide toe box and they are the most comfortable shoes I’ve ever owned.
😵💫 once again… ur guys are back to reading my mind 😵💫 I was thinking about this yesterday………… which one of you is a warlock…? Who decides the topics u cover… ? It’s happened like 15 times that you guys put out a relevant article within 48 hrs… creepy lol 🤣😂🤣 I’m serious though I think someone is a witch. I hope it’s not me 🤣😂🤣 God is good all the time ⭐️ Bless you and your families this Thanksgiving 🙏
what a sales gimmicak shoe means nothing. To fix arch Walk properly keep you head/chin up dont keep looking down when you walk for good posture, should back. To fix plantar in 2 weeks by rolling massage on foot. Place rolling pin or cylindar on the floor and roll arch of foot for 5 minutes coulpa timea a day. This will fix Plantar in 2 weeks
My New Balance shoes have greatly reduced my PF menace! The New Balance shoes are expensive but well worth the investment because they really give me the support I desperately needed. I used to wear walking shoes WAY past their usefulness and I paid dearly for that mistake. I purchase black shoes only and I wear them for everything: weddings, funerals, etc. Every foot is different so the best everyone as you find the right shoe for you!!!
Idk if this is the right place to ask questions but… I get this horrible pain that starts behind my ears, my jaw tightens, & then my SCM’s starts to spasm with really constricting shooting pains, I end up having difficulty swallowing & sometimes it sends shooting pains to my chest making it hard to take deep breathes. FYI I have a syrinx in my cervical spine from C4-T2 & a disc herniation at C5-C7. I’ve brought it up to my pain management physician but she brushes it off like it’s no big deal & then continues to try to push me towards a surgery I’m not sure is the best for me. What could this be & what do I do to fix it?
I’m perusal this in 2022 and my dilemma is that I also have lymphedema which causes swelling, sometimes severe, in my lower extremities. Including my ankles and feet. Orthotics are not covered by my state insurance and over the counter orthotic shoes are very expensive. I haven’t found an affordable solution that works. I had to borrow money to get my current Orthotic shoes which were over $200.
This is actually very bad advice. The best solution to plantar fasciitis is to wear barefoot shoes. I’ve suffered with pf for years, and after 3 months of wearing barefoot shoes it completely went away. No arch support is the solution. Barefoot shoes allow your feet to move naturally, without a heel rise and a cramped toe box. They also prevent bunions and lower back issues.
Stop handing out advice that doesn’t work. You guys have never successfully cured anybody of planter fasciitis with this advice what you’re doing is your for attracting people’s pain for years with your recommendation of more tennis shoes. Most of the time it was shoes with too much cushion that caused planter fasciitis. I spent years suffering because of this terrible advice Until I went and found rain websites with runners doing it as Professionals who had severe planter fasciitis and they all fixed it by going to barefoot shoes.
The first shoe will make it worse. The second is better. If the shoe twists, its not good for your foot. Unfortunately, good running shoes are very expensive…100.00-200.00. They do not twist and have good arch support. Remove the innersole, and replace with a Spenco hard innersole to get immediate relief. Most inexpensive running shoes will cause foot problems. Wing Tips are great for Plantar problems. Tennis shoes with air bubbles in the heal can cause foot problems, Stability is key. Hot water massage works wonders.
Are New Balance good for plantars fasciitis because I have plantar fasciitis and I wear plantars fasciitis insoles from Walmart because the Good Feet store I used to have them but they made my feet hurt worse plus I have a size wide 4E nine and a half New Balance Hayward waterproof now they’re not because I have a hole in front of the shoe
I am so Frustrated i wish that could skype with of you gentleman . I’m recently 45 yrs young and running now for 3yrs! i recently moved bought property with a lot of uphill millage. I pushed it! i have searched and searched but cannot figure out but both back calves have been tight for some time now and i have been very bad at not stretching before or after a run! i ignored the stiffness at first till my left back calf behind my knee almost had a hard sore or hard tissue i guess? The last to weeks with ice and massage it has gone down but both back calves are sore and i am frustrated TODAY i am starting stretches. As my Italian Papa always told me “You are a Hard Head” just worried and want to get back to running! i feel down and severely eager to get back up!
I am a 58 yr old female, my feet hurt every place on them, all day, every day, even at rest, especially in the arches and the large bone under to the side of my large toe. This little piggy went to the market. I have a closet full of running shoes, walking shoes, house shoes, slip ons, slides ect. None feel good or even ok on my feet. My feet feel better barefoot than with shoes on. I have Adidus, Nike, Sperry, Clark, new balance ect. I would never buy New Balance again, they were so painful. Nike seems to be less painful than the others but I have to be careful that they have a good arch support. My arches ache and I literally get cramps in them. I do have arthritis in my body but hanot had a MRI on my feet like I have the rest of me. Sometimes just laying down I feel like I am going to cry my feet ache so bad. Help.
I have insoles for my flat feet but i wonder if i should wear them with my new volleyball shoes? Will they make the shoes performance worse because the soul that i have is pretty hard and stiff and may worsen the soft cushioning of the shoe that is needed for jumping and landing support?. And because it’s stiff, could it become a higher risk for spraining my foot or rolling my foot? I don’t know if i should put the insoles in the volleyball shoes could someone please help me i really need som answers.
I went to a dance convention and volunteered. My friend shared that she’d had PF or 5 years until a foot doctor’s nurse took her aside and said if she got Z-Coil shoes, her problems would be gone within a month. It worked so she shared it with me. It worked so I told a friend about it, and it worked for her. Vionics had not worked for my friend. Vionics are comfortable, but didn’t stop PF for me or my friend.
What the name of the New balance shoe??? I need some good shoes cause i have flat feet and an sm tear in my ligament on my foot. I am in a lot of pain when I’m at work trying to walk around for eight hours sometimes 16hrs. So the next day i can hardly walk🤦🏾♀️ and yes I was diagnosed with planner fasciitis in both feet so I really need the name of those shoes so go look it up and see if it helps me because I am so tired of being in pain.
Hopefully you see this and help me out. I stand in one place for my work (12 hours) and more or less steps 2-3 steps just to grab something from where I’m standing. Is there a shoe you would recommend? My feet pain is usually on the arch, heel and along the side where my pinky toe is. A wide toe space would be appreciated as well. I notice that when I wear inserts that have arch support like the plantar fasciitis inserts from Dr. Scholl’s, it hurts my arch more. We are recommended something that is non slip and if possible with toe protection. Hoping for a response and thank you!
huh I actually had plantar fascitis at a certain point in highscool Xcountry and track/fireld, was wearing super flexible shoes and felt my inner tendon muscles shredding in the palm of the foot lol. Had to get off from training for a week and later on got a supporting shoe which helped. In short don’t get super flexible shoe if youre flat foot
Even though Bob has high arches, he feels most comfortable with motion control shoes. You’d think the cushion shoes are the way to go for him. And that’s the point of the article. One style will not suit all, no matter what the foot condition or foot type. It’s trial and error. If the foot still hurts, try a different style/brand etc.
I am a 64 year old Women that loves to walk but I am flat footed with severe overpronation. Can you recommend a brand of sneaker and do they make an orthotic to place in Sandals? I know some already have Metersals built in but I have a several sandales that I can not wear due to the overpronation. Thank you.
In your other article you showed shoes that looked like these and said they were terrible for plantar fasciitis because the thick heel raised the heel of the foot higher than the toe, stressing the calf. And that we should use a ‘no drop’ flat shoe where the heel was at the same level as the toes. So now I am confused. Should I have a totally flat shoe or one with a slight heel raise?
you need arch suport as needed,slightly soft or not at all inner foot pading, but perhaps a give in the area of the planter type sores, the entire shoe sole should be stiff not bending, it’s the toe that’s beds, yes! not the inner foot, it don’t bend much, it’s over use and exercise and bending from the toes, so the entire bottom shoe sole should be non bending with arch suport as needed and a hole cut in the planter area to allow it less pressure and stress wile theropy to cure …yep! walk peg foot till cured, no toe stretching when talking. umm were do you findca peg stiff foot shoe…lol…yep! you make it…theropy is not always on key…they follow what they were tought. but love these guys
One of the best shoes I’ve gound is actually thise ugly Crocs shoes….they are one of the few that has fixed my problem with PF. I wore Crocs for 1.5 year’s and wore them even to use the washroom at night and finally fixed the problem. I have flat feet, too heavy and moved to a place with pavement and the problems started when I was doing a lot of walking in a worn out pair of shoes.
I have suffered pain in feet many years. It has gotten worse in the last year. Drs. told me I have pf others have told me I dont. I dont have Heel pain like everyone complain to have with pf, most of my pain comes from the front of my heel to my toes. I do have a high arched foot I have tried several different shoes and even plastic arch supports with little relief . Also cortisone shot in tendon area with some relief. Any ideas would be helpful thank you
Hello, my 26 year old son has been bedridden for few years and now working with PT but can’t put foot down flat, stands on tip toes. Any type of walking boot with an adjustable angles example women’s platform wedge shoes would support the angle so he could put full weight and start stretching and strengthening his calves?