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You step out of bed and feel a sharp pain along the bottom of your foot. You think to yourself, maybe it is simply tight after sleep and needs to be stretched out. When that doesn’t work, you jump on to do some research and discover it might be plantar fasciitis.
The plantar fascia is a strong band of connective tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot. It is what helps support your arch, acting as a shock absorber every time you walk, run, or stand. When too much stress is placed on the plantar fascia, the tissue can become irritated, developing small areas of damage. Repetitive strain can then lead to inflammation, stiffness, and pain, particularly around the heel. Running, prolonged standing, increased activity, or inadequate footwear are all things that can cause plantar fasciitis.
Most likely, you found this post because your body – your plantar fascia really – has made you abundantly aware something is not right. Is surgery the next step? Not necessarily. Most people with plantar fasciitis improve with nonsurgical treatment. The right combination of stretching, supportive footwear, activity modification, and targeted products can often make a significant difference.
At OPT Ortho, we carry a variety of products that can assist in the healing process. Here are some options to consider:
- Arch Support – Superfeet Green and PowerStep
When dealing with plantar fasciitis, first take a look at your shoes. What kind of arch support do they give you? Your plantar fascia helps support the arch of your foot; insoles can aid in taking on some of that burden. Every foot is different, which is why we offer two different insole options.
Superfeet’s contoured insoles are designed to stabilize the foot and provide structured arch and heel support, while PowerStep insoles combine arch support with cushioning and a stabilizing heel cradle.
The key is finding an insole that fits your foot, your arch, and your shoes. More support isn’t necessarily better, especially if it feels uncomfortable or changes the way you walk. Dr. Kamen Kutzarov, Orthopedic Foot Surgeon at Texas Orthopedics says that “Good inserts are not a substitute for good shoes. The architecture of the shoe must be supportive enough for the insert to be effective.”
2. Heel Cushioning: Tuli’s Heel Cups
Sometimes your heel simply needs a little more cushioning. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons lists soft heel pads and heel cups as a nonsurgical option for plantar fasciitis. This is where Tuli’s Heel Cups come in.
Tuli’s Heel Cups are designed specifically for people who experience repetitive impact from activities such as walking, running, sports, or prolonged standing. The additional shock absorption and cushioning underneath the heel is especially useful when spending a lot of time on hard surfaces.
3. Nighttime Support: Strassburg Sock
Maybe your shoes aren’t actually the problem. They might already have decent support, so insoles don’t seem to be the answer. In that case, foot support might mean discovering how to reduce irritation in a specific area.
The Strassburg Sock can be an effective way to help relieve plantar fasciitis pain while you sleep. The gentle stretching of the toes throughout the night has been proven to help, especially with those first steps taken in the morning.
Clinical practice guidelines recommend a 1- to 3-month program of night splints for people with plantar fasciitis who consistently experience pain with their first steps in the morning.
4. Recovery Footwear: OOFOS
What you wear between workouts or after a long day on your feet matters.
Recovery footwear, such as OOFOS, are designed with cushioning and shock absorption in mind. Their Oofoam material absorbs more shock than traditional footwear foam and is designed to reduce stress on the feet and other joints.
While recovery footwear isn’t a cure, it can be helpful when you have asked a lot of your feet. Rather than walking around barefoot or continuing in the same shoes, recovery options like OOFOS gently support your feet after a rigorous day. “Barefoot walking or minimalist shoewear is for those who do not have problems with their feet. If you have foot pain of any kind, you need to walk in the oofos or a good pair of shoes until it resolves.” – Dr. Kamen Kutzarov.
5. Activity Support: Start With the Right Athletic Shoe
For those who are active, don’t underestimate the importance of your shoes.
Worn-out athletic shoes or footwear without adequate support can add stress to your feet. The AAOS recommends supportive shoes, with adequate cushioning, and advises replacing athletic shoes once they become worn.
Good support doesn’t necessarily equate to “most expensive”. Get to know your feet. Try on different shoes and look for the ones that: feel comfortable, have adequate cushioning, give your arches support, and are appropriate for your specific activity.
6. When Products Aren’t Enough, See an Orthopedic Specialist
A product should complement treatment – not replace a diagnosis.
Heel pain doesn’t always mean plantar fasciitis. Problems with the Achilles tendon, heel fat pad, nerves, or other structures in the foot can cause similar symptoms.
A physician can help determine whether plantar fasciitis is actually the cause of your pain and develop a treatment plan based on your specific foot structure, activity level, and symptoms.
There isn’t one magic product that works for everyone. The most effective approach is often a combination of strategies. The goal isn’t simply to cover up the pain, but instead reduce stress on your plantar fascia, support your foot while it heals, and gradually get you back to where you started. The good news, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, more than 90% of patients with plantar fasciitis improve within 10 months of starting simple treatment methods.
Find the right combination for your feet:
Arch support → Superfeet Green or PowerStep
Heel cushioning → Tuli’s Heel Cups
Nighttime support → Strassburg Sock
Recovery footwear → OOFOS
Activity → Supportive athletic shoes
Persistent pain → Evaluation by an orthopedic specialist
