By Rehan Iqbal
The plantar fascia is the long band of ligament that runs from your heel to the ball of the foot and supports the arch. Excessive wear and tear over time can cause this ligament to become weakened, swollen and inflamed. It may even become disconnected at the heel causing the arch to fall and calcium deposits (heel spurs) to form. This is plantar fasciitis. Exercise and using the best insoles for Plantar Fasciitis would be your best bet in this situation.
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How to Choose the Best Insoles for Plantar Fasciitis
Very often shoes that are specifically designed for work may lack proper cushioning. This is also true of dress shoes and inexpensive everyday footwear. Wearing shoes or boots that have no padding or support at all is terrible for anyone’s feet and can quickly cause Plantar Fasciitis and other foot problems and injuries to develop.
Walking, exercising and working without foot support is excruciatingly painful for people suffering from PF. When you are looking for the best insoles for your unlined work shoes or boots, formal footwear or inexpensive “fun” shoes, there are a few things that you should seek out especially.
These important qualities to choose the best insoles for Plantar Fasciitis are:
Proper heel support is of the utmost importance because a good heel cup provides stability and keeps the bones of your feet aligned. Proper support combined with good heel support can help prevent a wide variety of problems including neuromas, bunions and plantar fasciitis. Ball-of-foot support cushions the metatarsals and helps prevent pain in the balls of your feet and your toes.
Here are some top shoe insoles suitable for preventing and treating sharp pain that is cused by the sensitive Plantar Fascia.
Best Insoles for Plantar Fasciitis
1. Tread Labs Pace Insoles
Tread Labs Pace Insoles are part of their Pain Relief Series. They offer the best arch support to help ease pain associated with plantar fasciitis. These insoles are offered in four different arch heights – low, medium, high and extra high – so you’ll be able to get a fit that mimics the contours of your feet.
Insoles that provide firm arch support along your entire arch are the most effective at relieving foot pain, so it’s no wonder why many recommend these insoles to cure and prevent plantar fasciitis before suggesting custom orthotics. They’re designed to better support the foot, limit excessive pronation and promote proper alignment.
Pace Insoles come in different top covers styles to fit all the shoes you own. Tread Labs two-part system lets you replace the top covers whenever you need to without having to buy a whole new insole. The insole is covered by a Million Mile Guarantee.
In addition, these insoles offer:
2. Orthaheel Relief (Full-Length Orthotic Insole)
Full-Length Relief insoles are especially designed to relieve the foot pain and to help resolve symptoms. Most people find them very effective in footwear that does not have built-in cushioning. They are well-suited for use with work shoes, exercise shoes, hiking boots and other footwear that you plan to wear for extended periods of time in challenging circumstances.
Even though these shoe insoles provide top notch cushioning, arch support and alignment, they have a slim line that fits well even in slip on shoes such as loafers. Orthaheel Relief orthotics are well made, lightweight and provide firm support.
You may find it most effective to use these insoles for a few hours a day at first and work up to wearing them all day because some people find that the support feels too high at first and takes some getting used to.
Most wearers report feeling instant relief from the pain of the strained Plantar Fascia ligament, including pain from bunions. The gel disc in the heel cup provides soothing relief from the pain of heel spurs. For best results, trim the insoles to custom fit your footwear.
3. Superfeet Green Heritage Insoles
This insole company makes a range of color coded insoles with varying arch heights. The green Superfeet model is the highest arch support and is very advisable for people suffering from or at risk for Plantar Fasciitis. These orthotics are especially good for people with very high arches and are not advisable for people with low arches or flat feet. The deep heel cup and high arch combine to prevent and relieve pain associated with the Plantar Fascia ligament.
These features together provide a high degree of shock absorption for the heel. Heel pain relief is not instant, but consistent use will eventually resolve pain from heel spurs.
These insoles are extremely durable thanks to a hard, firm plastic underside. The entire insole is covered with dense, durable foam for added comfort. While the cost is a bit higher for Superfeet than for some other brands, you can expect these insoles to last a very long time and endure a great deal of wear.
4. Powerstep Pinnacle Insoles
These insoles feature a fully cushioned topside that provides a great deal of comfort. They are best used for shoes that do not have much built-in cushioning. Some people report having trouble fitting them into shoes that do have their own padding.
Be advised that Powerstep Pinnacle has a rather extreme arch support that is ideal for people who have very high arches.
Many people report having to take time to become accustomed to them. The exaggerated arch has the added benefit of providing extra relief for the pain of heel spurs. A supported arch removes pressure from the heel.
Because these inserts are very affordably priced, many people purchase multiple sets for the convenience of adding them to several pairs of shoes. Some users say that if you must switch a single set from one pair of shoes to another daily, the edges of the insoles begin to show wear. For this reason, it’s better to purchase multiple sets of this brand of insole to accommodate all of your shoes and get more value for your money.
5. Sof Sole Comfort-Gel Insole
Sof Sole orthotics are equipped with a very firm and springy arch that is especially helpful for severe plantar fasciitis pian. The deep, gel-padded heel cup provides a soft surface to help soothe painful heels.
People suffering from severe plantar fasciitis report being able to walk long distances with Sof Sole Insoles.
They also say that these insoles support recovery very successfully and that they are symptom-free within a month of consistent use.
Many users say that using these shoe inserts can turn even very inexpensive shoes into comfortable and therapeutic shoes. It is important to order the right size to prevent these insoles from sliding inside the shoe.
6. Profoot Orthotics
These affordable insoles provide almost immediate relief from the pain of plantar fasciitis. Because they are available in budget multi-pack’s, it is easy and affordable to equip every pair of shoes you own with a set of Profoot orthotics.
Users report that the arch support takes some getting used to, but consistent use in all shoes on a regular daily basis results in freedom from pain within a month or so.
Be advised that these insoles work best when used in boots or in shoes that have a high heel counter. The heel of the insert tends to add a bit of lift, so shoes with a shallow heel counter may lose stability. They are best for use in shoes that have a rigid, non-collapsible back for ankle support, a firm sole and elevated heels to reduce pressure.
7. ALINE Cushion Insoles
ALINE Cushion Insoles are proven to boost the comfort and performance of your footwear. Whether you’re suffering from debilitating heel pain from Plantar Fasciitis, misalignment issues from flat feet or any other foot disorders, ALINE Cushion is your new best friend. Using their patented ‘Foot Suspension Technology’ which combines over 100 moving ribs, engineered suspension zones, a heel cup and shock absorbing gel pad to make every step pain free.
In addition, the ALINE Cushion orthotic promotes healthy foot and lower extremities alignment through biomechanics. This product will turn every day into a breeze and make you want to want to put your shoes on in the morning whether it is for work, running or walking.
ALINE Cushion insert features:
The ALINE Cushion Insole is trusted by thousands of elite and professional athletes both on and off ‘the field’. From PGA Tour wins to Winter Olympic Gold Medals the ALINE Cushion Insole offers an unprecedented level of comfort and support.
What Is Corrective Footwear?
There are a number of good brands of everyday shoes, exercise shoes, work shoes and boots especially designed to help prevent and soothe plantar fasciitis. Sometimes simply purchasing and wearing corrective footwear is enough to solve the problem. Very often, orthotic insoles are also needed to provide a custom fit.
While you could use prescription insoles for Plantar Fasciitis, you may find that over-the-counter (OTC) inserts work just as well or better. One of the advantages of using non-prescription insoles is that you can affordably equip all of your footwear with comfortable, healing support.
Using OTC Plantar Fasciitis inserts also provides you a great deal of flexibility. You can purchase various styles and brands to suit different purposes and fit different types of footwear.
Investing In The Right Insoles & Footwear Can Save Your Feet & Your Health
People who must stand for long hours on hard floors can greatly benefit from the use of properly designed work shoe insoles. These insoles have a great deal in common with insoles created to address Plantar Fasciitis, and consistent use of properly designed orthotics can help you avoid or treat this very painful condition.
If you are concerned that you may be developing PF or you have been struggling to find some degree of comfort while you work with foot pain, you would be very wise to consult your doctor and to seek out treatments and options in footwear that deliver comfort, support, balance and alignment as you pursue your work, exercise and daily living activities.
When you must stand or walk for long periods a wide variety of undesirable symptoms may result. Use of correct footwear and high quality insoles can help you avoid problems such as:
If you are overweight and/or if you are walking on a very hard surface such as concrete, standing for long hours can cause severe damage to your feet. This extra stress can cause the pad of your heel to wear down so you have no shock absorber, and this will surely lead to the development of Plantar Fasciitis.
If you work as a teacher, server, custodian, law enforcement officer, doctor, nurse or industrial worker, PF can be extremely hard to live with and to overcome. This very painful condition makes walking excruciating and work unpleasant. It can negatively impact your workday and your personal life by impairing your ability to move about and participate in your daily activities. Chronic foot pain drains your energy, dampens your mood and generally destroys your life.
This serious, painful condition can severely impact the quality of your life by making every step a painful chore. High quality shoe inserts for Plantar Fasciitis can help you prevent pain and foot damage while providing cushioning and support for your heels, arches, metatarsal arches and the soles of your feet.
There is a choice for people suffering with foot conditions like Plantar Fasciitis – buy specially designed shoes or put orthotic inserts into your existing ones. The right inserts and insoles can save money and effort, work just as well and are fantastic idea for people with flat feet, fallen arches, posture problems and foot pain.
