Most of us are on the go during the day time with the exception of those who are on the move till late. Whether it is our jobs or daily exercise routines, walking is simply unavoidable.
Keeping the extent of our everyday activities in mind, wearing comfortable shoes is a sure thing.
For those of us who have to cope with plantar fasciitis extra care is required while choosing the right shoes. With a little extra care, you can enjoy your life in a much better way.
In order to pick the best shoes for plantar fasciitis it is important to know what it actually is, how is it caused and what can be some of its treatments.
What is Plantar Fasciitis?
Plantar fasciits arises when the ligaments or thick band of tissues that are located at the bottom of your feet covering your bones (plantar fascia) becomes swollen or inflammatory.
Plantar fascia connects your heel bones to your toes and once it becomes overstretched or strained, it causes pain while walking or even standing.
Causes of Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis can be triggered at an older age between 40 to 60 and can be due to longer running durations, exercises that put stress on your heels like ballet dancing, wearing shoes that are not right for you and obesity.
Some people are born with flat feet or have high arches; both of these can contribute to plantar fasciitis.
You should seek appropriate diagnosis and treatment for plantar fasciitis as neglecting it can exaggerate the pain and can even spread it to other parts of the body.
Do I have Plantar Fasciitis – Diagnosis of Plantar Fasciitis
If you feel pain in your foot, then it might not necessarily happen because of plantar fasciitis. There can be any other reasons for such a pain.
In order to know whether you are suffer from plantar fasciitis or not you need to go for a proper diagnosis of your foot. You should pay a visit to your doctor and explain your symptoms, past health record and any other relevant details.
Your doctor will perform several physical tests and exams including X-rays and ultrasound. You might also be checked for any tenderness or stiffness in the arch of your foot.
What can be done – Treatment of Plantar Fasciitis
Initially, your health provider will advise you to take as much rest as you can, put ice on the swollen area and do straightforward exercises to increases the flexibility of the muscles.
Some doctors also suggest shifting to those shoes that are specifically made to provide comfort and support to your feet. It is not advisable to wear shoes that do not provide any arch support like flip-flops or heels.
You should keep a close look at the wear and tear of your shoes. Saving some money at the expense of your comfort will do you no good. Proper shoes that can be bought as a treatment for plantar fasciitis include running shoes and sneakers.
Once you start looking for the best shoes for plantar fasciitis you will come across a wide variety of these available in the market.
Things to Consider while Choosing the Best Shoes for Plantar Fasciitis
You need to keep a few things in your mind while shopping for the best shoes for plantar fasciitis.
First of you should know your foot size and type. You can measure your foot size with a tape or you can ask someone else to do it for you.
For the foot type you need to contact a podiatrist who will provide you with the accurate type. A perfect fit will aid you in finding the best shoes for plantar fasciitis.
Next you need to search for shoes with sole that offers cushioning and shock resistance as such shoes help in reducing the impact of walking or running on your plantar fascia. These shoes should have heel cups that support your heels and keep them firm.
Lastly, you do not have to spend a large chunk of your money on buying the best shoes for plantar fasciitis. There are many trusted brands out there that sell some of the best shoes at reasonable rates.
Buying the Best Shoes for Plantar Fasciitis
We can understand how painful it can be for individuals who have to put up with this problem on a regular basis. In order to help you we have compiled some of the best shoes for plantar fasciitis for men and women.
Best Sneakers and Running shoes for Plantar Fasciitis
ASICS, Brooks and New balance are three of the most famous brands dealing in the best shoes for plantar fasciitis.
ASICS Gel series running shoes including Gel Noosa Tri 9, Gel Noose Tri 8, Gel-Nimbus 14, Gel-Nimbus 15, and Gel-Kayano 20 are amongst the most bought and loved running shoes as provided by Amazon.
Brooks isn’t far behind its competitor ASICS and its Adrenaline GTS 8, Adrenaline GTS 14, Addiction and Glycerin series running shoes are equally famous.
New Balance is also giving a hard time to its competitors and is able to serve individuals with some of the best running shoes for plantar fasciitis including 990v3, 940v2 and others.
Two other brands that market few of the best shoes for plantar fasciitis, Saucony and Mizuno, are also praised and recommended by their users.
Each of these running shoes has pros and cons attached to them which will be discussed in detail in a short while.
Best Walking Shoes for Plantar Fasciitis
People suffering from plantar fasciitis must take care of their feet at all times and we recommend that your walking shoes must also aid you in reducing the pain.
Some of the best walking shoes for planter fasciitis are again provided by the 3 top brands namely Brooks, New Balance and ASICS. Their walker series shoes are much effective.
Additionally, Orthaheel shoes provided by various brands are very useful in keeping your feet comfortable.
Best Dress Shoes for Plantar Fasciitis
Some of you might want to look for a combination of style and comfort ability. In today’s world, this is made possible by some of the famous brands like Merrell Mary janes,Alegria shoes for women and many other Vionic Orthaheel series shoes.
Similarly, there are many insoles to be used with your shoes that eventually serve the purpose of some of the best shoes for plantar fasciitis.