When the first step of the morning is accompanied by a sharp, stabbing sensation in the heel, plantar fasciitis may be to blame. It is one of the most common foot complaints, affecting one in ten people. Most prevalent during middle age, it also causes discomfort in younger individuals who spend hours on their feet. Shoe orthotics for plantar fasciitis helps relieve the pressure that is a primary cause of this condition.
Orthotics is a general term for describing shoe inserts designed to reduce pain and discomfort. They are commonly called arch supports, even though their purpose involves more than simply raising that portion of the foot. They are intended to create a more natural way of moving that not only soothes existing problems, but also helps prevent them from occurring by altering the way feet move during activity.
Because other conditions can have the same symptoms, self-diagnosis of the issue may miss more serious problems. When the pain becomes severe, is long-term, or makes normal movement difficult, an accurate diagnosis from a podiatrist is highly recommended. Although the discomfort may be minimal in many cases, complete recovery can take longer than a year. The most common solution is rest.
Exercises to stretch and strengthen the foot are also helpful, but may not be useful in every situation. Poorly fitting shoes are the number-one cause of pain. Even though they might be considered less than stylish, footwear with comparatively cushioned, thick soles constructed from impact-absorbing, dense materials is best during activity. People with flat feet due to low arches may require greater support.
While arches generally do actually collapse, they are often a source of discomfort. People born with them cannot absorb hard-surface impacts in the same way as those with ideal foot imprints. Additional support may be added by wearing specially made shoes, inserting cushioning pads, or by taping the foot daily. In some cases, these solutions provide greater relief than regularly using NSAID pain medications.
While not a universal solution, common and relatively economical over-the-counter inserts can help. Their advantages vary depending on the materials used to make them, and some are more effective than others. The inserts need to be sturdy enough to resist complete flattening, while still giving support to areas most in need. For many adolescents who are still growing, they are ideal.
The most promising solution for many adults involves custom-made orthotics. Potential problem areas can be revealed by taking a foot imprint, which forms the template for the creation of an insert specific to the problem. They are generally more rigid than commonly sold versions, and provide greater longitudinal support. The addition of heel cups may be necessary in stubborn cases.
Although the cost of creating customized orthotics is significant and not covered by all insurance plans, finding lasting relief may be worth the extra expense. When feet hurt, all aspects of life become more difficult. If rest, taping, strengthening exercises and standard shoe inserts are not effective, inserts that are measured and fitted by a doctor may provide a better solution.
Orthotics is a general term for describing shoe inserts designed to reduce pain and discomfort. They are commonly called arch supports, even though their purpose involves more than simply raising that portion of the foot. They are intended to create a more natural way of moving that not only soothes existing problems, but also helps prevent them from occurring by altering the way feet move during activity.
Because other conditions can have the same symptoms, self-diagnosis of the issue may miss more serious problems. When the pain becomes severe, is long-term, or makes normal movement difficult, an accurate diagnosis from a podiatrist is highly recommended. Although the discomfort may be minimal in many cases, complete recovery can take longer than a year. The most common solution is rest.
Exercises to stretch and strengthen the foot are also helpful, but may not be useful in every situation. Poorly fitting shoes are the number-one cause of pain. Even though they might be considered less than stylish, footwear with comparatively cushioned, thick soles constructed from impact-absorbing, dense materials is best during activity. People with flat feet due to low arches may require greater support.
While arches generally do actually collapse, they are often a source of discomfort. People born with them cannot absorb hard-surface impacts in the same way as those with ideal foot imprints. Additional support may be added by wearing specially made shoes, inserting cushioning pads, or by taping the foot daily. In some cases, these solutions provide greater relief than regularly using NSAID pain medications.
While not a universal solution, common and relatively economical over-the-counter inserts can help. Their advantages vary depending on the materials used to make them, and some are more effective than others. The inserts need to be sturdy enough to resist complete flattening, while still giving support to areas most in need. For many adolescents who are still growing, they are ideal.
The most promising solution for many adults involves custom-made orthotics. Potential problem areas can be revealed by taking a foot imprint, which forms the template for the creation of an insert specific to the problem. They are generally more rigid than commonly sold versions, and provide greater longitudinal support. The addition of heel cups may be necessary in stubborn cases.
Although the cost of creating customized orthotics is significant and not covered by all insurance plans, finding lasting relief may be worth the extra expense. When feet hurt, all aspects of life become more difficult. If rest, taping, strengthening exercises and standard shoe inserts are not effective, inserts that are measured and fitted by a doctor may provide a better solution.
No comments:
Post a Comment