Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain. People suffering from this foot problem experience stabbing pain in the heels. The pain is severe during the morning when you have just woken up, but it gradually decreases once you start moving. Obesity, unusual arch height, strenuous activities such as long-distance running, ballistic activities, dancing, aerobics, wearing shoes with poor arch support, and aging are a few reasons why you may suffer from Plantar Fasciitis. Thankfully, it is not a severe condition. It hardly requires any medication or surgery. By wearing good plantar fasciitis insoles and good shoes for plantar fasciitis you will be able to get rid of this condition within just a few weeks. Here is a more in-depth article on how to treat plantar fasciitis.

How Orthotic Insoles Can Help

Before we learn more about plantar fasciitis inserts and how they can provide relief from heel pain, let’s first find out what Plantar Fasciitis is. Plantar fascia is a thick band of tissue that connects the heel bone to your tones. It runs through the bottom of your foot. This thick band of tissue is responsible for carrying the bulk of load during standing, walking, running, and all other activities. It is also responsible for maintaining the structural integrity of the arch of the foot. ⁽¹⁾

Plantar fascia is like a bowstring that connects the heel bone with the toes. If it is exposed to too much tension, the tissues can tear. Repetitive tearing and stretching can cause inflammation of the plantar fascia, a condition known as Plantar Fasciitis. People, who are obese, or are in an occupation that requires them to be on their feet for long hours, are more prone to it. Further, athletes, ballet dancers, runners, and joggers are also more likely to suffer from plantar fasciitis.

When there is an inflammation of the plantar fascia tissues, you will experience a stabbing pain in your heels. The pain is worst in the morning when you have taken the first few steps after waking up. It decreases substantially during the day but if you need to stand or walk for long hours, you may feel the pain throughout the day.

Thankfully, plantar fasciitis doesn’t require much treatment. Your doctor may advise you some pain relievers and physical therapy. Plantar fasciitis insoles can also provide you much relief from the heel pain. They will help distribute the pressure more evenly throughout your feet thereby, taking pressure off the plantar fascia. A lot of studies have proven the effectiveness of the shoe inserts for plantar fasciitis. A study conducted by the Department of Orthopedics, Lund University Hospital, concluded that the best insoles for plantar fasciitis are able to provide both short-term and long-term relief from plantar fasciitis pain. ⁽²⁾ Another study concluded that plantar fasciitis insoles can reduce the symptoms of plantar fasciitis by reducing strain on the fascia during standing and walking. Further, the inserts can reduce foot pronation, correct the collapse of the longitudinal arch, and associated elongation of the foot. ⁽³⁾ Studies have also concluded that there is no major difference between the prefabricated and the custom orthotic inserts for plantar fasciitis. Both of them are equally beneficial in providing short-term pain relief. ⁽⁴⁾ If however, you cannot find an insole that fits your leg correct, you may go for the customized ones.

Please note that planters fasciitis inserts cannot treat this foot condition. They can only provide you relief from the heel pain associated with it by taking pressure off the tissues. When the tissues won’t have to bear the whole burden, they will start recovering from the damage. Once the tissues have healed and the inflammation has gone, you will not experience any pain.

Are Orthopedic Insoles Right For You?

If you are suffering from heel pain, orthotic inserts for plantar fasciitis are an absolute necessity for you. Whether you have just developed plantar fasciitis or are suffering from chronic pain due to this foot condition, wearing insoles can help spread the pressure, absorb the shock of daily activities, and provide you relief from pain.

If you are not experiencing any heel pain, you may still wear the shoe insoles for plantar fasciitis as a preventive measure if you meet any of the below-mentioned criteria:

• People who are involved in high-impact sports such as running, basketball, football, etc.
• Ballet dancers
• People who are overweight or obese
• Expecting mothers who have recently gained weight and are experiencing heel pain
• People who are required to stand on hard surfaces for long hours such as teachers, factory workers, delivery workers, healthcare professionals, etc.
• People who wear shoes with inadequate support
• People who have a flat foot or high arches
• People who overpronate

If you are a flatfooted person, you are more likely to suffer from flat foot pain and plantar fasciitis. To delay/avoid this, you must start wearing supportive shoes even if you haven’t yet experienced any symptoms. Here is a list of some of the best shoes for people with flat feet. Wearing them regularly can help you support your fallen arches, thereby keeping you safe from pain and injury. Buying multiple shoes can be expensive, so you can buy supportive insoles instead. Refer this article to find out more about some of the best insoles for flat feet.

Plantar fasciitis insoles are also recommended for people who are above 40 years old. With age, the plantar fascia starts losing its elasticity and strength, thereby making you more prone to heel pain, flat foot, and other foot problems.

Examining Over-The-Counter Orthotic Insoles

Here are some of the factors that you must consider while selecting the best inserts for plantar fasciitis.

Supportive heel cups

Look for plantar fasciitis insoles that provide sufficient support towards the back of the heel. Well cushioned heel cups will keep the fat pad within the heels squeezed together. This helps reduce the pressure on the plantar fascia, thereby helping them recover faster.

Proper arch support

Choose plantar fasciitis inserts that provide adequate support to your arches. If the arches are not supported properly, the pressure will be passed on to the heels and the plantar fascia, thereby increases the pain and inflammation. Get your foot evaluated by a podiatrist to find out what type of insole will suit you best.

Material

Foam, plastic, and gel are the most popular materials used for making shoe inserts for plantar fasciitis.

• Foam insoles are usually made of lightweight memory foam or rebound foam. They have a great cushion and are good for people who tend to mildly overpronate.
• Plastic plantar fasciitis insoles are made of a blend of plastic and rubber or felt. They are lightweight and provide side to side stability, thereby preventing moderate to severe overpronation.
• Gel insoles are perfect for people who suffer from chronic plantar fasciitis pain. They are made of polyurethane gel and provide superior shock absorption and enhanced comfort. If you work outdoors or at a place that is not air-conditioned, gel inserts are good for you as they keep your feet cool and dry.

Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain. People suffering from this foot problem experience stabbing pain in the heels. The pain is severe during the morning when you have just woken up, but it gradually decreases once you start moving. Obesity, unusual arch height, strenuous activities such as long-distance running, ballistic activities, dancing, aerobics, wearing shoes with poor arch support, and aging are a few reasons why you may suffer from Plantar Fasciitis. Thankfully, it is not a severe condition. It hardly requires any medication or surgery. By wearing good plantar fasciitis insoles and good shoes for plantar fasciitis you will be able to get rid of this condition within just a few weeks. Here is a more in-depth article on how to treat plantar fasciitis.

How Orthotic Insoles Can Help

Before we learn more about plantar fasciitis inserts and how they can provide relief from heel pain, let’s first find out what Plantar Fasciitis is. Plantar fascia is a thick band of tissue that connects the heel bone to your tones. It runs through the bottom of your foot. This thick band of tissue is responsible for carrying the bulk of load during standing, walking, running, and all other activities. It is also responsible for maintaining the structural integrity of the arch of the foot. ⁽¹⁾

Plantar fascia is like a bowstring that connects the heel bone with the toes. If it is exposed to too much tension, the tissues can tear. Repetitive tearing and stretching can cause inflammation of the plantar fascia, a condition known as Plantar Fasciitis. People, who are obese, or are in an occupation that requires them to be on their feet for long hours, are more prone to it. Further, athletes, ballet dancers, runners, and joggers are also more likely to suffer from plantar fasciitis.

When there is an inflammation of the plantar fascia tissues, you will experience a stabbing pain in your heels. The pain is worst in the morning when you have taken the first few steps after waking up. It decreases substantially during the day but if you need to stand or walk for long hours, you may feel the pain throughout the day.

Thankfully, plantar fasciitis doesn’t require much treatment. Your doctor may advise you some pain relievers and physical therapy. Plantar fasciitis insoles can also provide you much relief from the heel pain. They will help distribute the pressure more evenly throughout your feet thereby, taking pressure off the plantar fascia. A lot of studies have proven the effectiveness of the shoe inserts for plantar fasciitis. A study conducted by the Department of Orthopedics, Lund University Hospital, concluded that the best insoles for plantar fasciitis are able to provide both short-term and long-term relief from plantar fasciitis pain. ⁽²⁾ Another study concluded that plantar fasciitis insoles can reduce the symptoms of plantar fasciitis by reducing strain on the fascia during standing and walking. Further, the inserts can reduce foot pronation, correct the collapse of the longitudinal arch, and associated elongation of the foot. ⁽³⁾ Studies have also concluded that there is no major difference between the prefabricated and the custom orthotic inserts for plantar fasciitis. Both of them are equally beneficial in providing short-term pain relief. ⁽⁴⁾ If however, you cannot find an insole that fits your leg correct, you may go for the customized ones.

Please note that planters fasciitis inserts cannot treat this foot condition. They can only provide you relief from the heel pain associated with it by taking pressure off the tissues. When the tissues won’t have to bear the whole burden, they will start recovering from the damage. Once the tissues have healed and the inflammation has gone, you will not experience any pain.

Are Orthopedic Insoles Right For You?

If you are suffering from heel pain, orthotic inserts for plantar fasciitis are an absolute necessity for you. Whether you have just developed plantar fasciitis or are suffering from chronic pain due to this foot condition, wearing insoles can help spread the pressure, absorb the shock of daily activities, and provide you relief from pain.

If you are not experiencing any heel pain, you may still wear the shoe insoles for plantar fasciitis as a preventive measure if you meet any of the below-mentioned criteria:

• People who are involved in high-impact sports such as running, basketball, football, etc.
• Ballet dancers
• People who are overweight or obese
• Expecting mothers who have recently gained weight and are experiencing heel pain
• People who are required to stand on hard surfaces for long hours such as teachers, factory workers, delivery workers, healthcare professionals, etc.
• People who wear shoes with inadequate support
• People who have a flat foot or high arches
• People who overpronate

If you are a flatfooted person, you are more likely to suffer from flat foot pain and plantar fasciitis. To delay/avoid this, you must start wearing supportive shoes even if you haven’t yet experienced any symptoms. Here is a list of some of the best shoes for people with flat feet. Wearing them regularly can help you support your fallen arches, thereby keeping you safe from pain and injury. Buying multiple shoes can be expensive, so you can buy supportive insoles instead. Refer this article to find out more about some of the best insoles for flat feet.

Plantar fasciitis insoles are also recommended for people who are above 40 years old. With age, the plantar fascia starts losing its elasticity and strength, thereby making you more prone to heel pain, flat foot, and other foot problems.

Examining Over-The-Counter Orthotic Insoles

Here are some of the factors that you must consider while selecting the best inserts for plantar fasciitis.

Supportive heel cups

Look for plantar fasciitis insoles that provide sufficient support towards the back of the heel. Well cushioned heel cups will keep the fat pad within the heels squeezed together. This helps reduce the pressure on the plantar fascia, thereby helping them recover faster.

Proper arch support

Choose plantar fasciitis inserts that provide adequate support to your arches. If the arches are not supported properly, the pressure will be passed on to the heels and the plantar fascia, thereby increases the pain and inflammation. Get your foot evaluated by a podiatrist to find out what type of insole will suit you best.

Material

Foam, plastic, and gel are the most popular materials used for making shoe inserts for plantar fasciitis.

• Foam insoles are usually made of lightweight memory foam or rebound foam. They have a great cushion and are good for people who tend to mildly overpronate.
• Plastic plantar fasciitis insoles are made of a blend of plastic and rubber or felt. They are lightweight and provide side to side stability, thereby preventing moderate to severe overpronation.
• Gel insoles are perfect for people who suffer from chronic plantar fasciitis pain. They are made of polyurethane gel and provide superior shock absorption and enhanced comfort. If you work outdoors or at a place that is not air-conditioned, gel inserts are good for you as they keep your feet cool and dry.

Wide toe box

Best inserts for plantar fasciitis are the ones that have a wide toe box to let your transverse arch expand whenever you walk, run, or jog. Transverse arch is made of a group of bones, ligaments, and tendons. It runs through the entire width of the foot from side to side. If the toe box is not wide enough, the transverse arch and the toes will not get enough space to expand, thereby adding up the pressure on the heel.

Top 5 Insoles for Flat Feet

Best shoe inserts for plantar fasciitis are the ones that can reduce the stress and stretch of the plantar fascia tissues. These insoles will help absorb the shock of your daily activities, thereby easing off the pressure from the heels. They will also protect the feet, ankles, and knees from any damage and correct the abnormal gait. Plus, they are inexpensive. Instead of replacing your shoes, you can simply replace their insoles with the orthopedic insoles. We have studied a lot of plantar fasciitis insoles amazon products and come up with these top picks. Before, you order them, please read the descriptions, size chart, and best insoles for plantar fasciitis reviews properly to find out if they are suitable for you.

Powerstep Pinnacle Shoe Insoles