Effective Plantar Fasciitis Treatment Can be Achieved with Orthotics

A recent study conducted by the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) revealed that a surprising 73% of people polled revealed that they are dealing with painful foot conditions. Why have foot ailments and pain become so commonplace in the examination room? Most patients have issues with their feet because of: the kind of footwear they use, the activities they engage in, or the way their feet are formed. Usage of poorly-fitting shoes can greatly exacerbate existing foot issues.

Athletes are another group who are often affected by foot problems. Factors such as overpronation, flat feet, and protection can all be reasons for pain in the feet, ankles, knees, and lower back. Genetics can contribute to foot-related issues because they dictate how a person’s feet are formed. This can increase the risk of developing painful foot conditions such as bunions, heel spurs, and plantar fasciits.

Foot Biomechanics: How the Foot Works

Low arches can cause an inward rolling of the feet which can make activities painful. The foot handles bearing the weight of the body and providing balance and stability. The portions of the foot that provide this balanced relationship with the body are the heel, arch, tarsals and metatarsals. The arch offers stability by the following structures: the tendons, ligaments, and muscles. This delicate balance can be interrupted by raised arches or abnormally-low arches, which can cause the foot to rotate strangely. With high arches, the mass of the body is strangely emphasized on the outside ridge of the foot (oversupination). However, overpronation occurs with flat feet because the inside of the foot takes the brunt of the body’s weight, forcing the feet to roll toward the inside .

Serious Foot Issues Occur with Flat Feet
A quick way to see if flat feet or high arches are a problem is to go outside and stand on an area where a foot impression can be made, such as on cement. Sink one of the feet in cool water and then step onto a dry surface. Then, remove the foot off the ground and see the impression that remains. A foot with over-pronation will leave a full foot imprint where all of the skin of the foot has made contact with the ground. A high arch will leave just a portion of the ball of the foot’s, outside portion, and the foot’s heel. Either of these arch conditions can cause painful spurs of bone in the heel or plantar fascitis treatment because the foot takes too much pressure where it isn’t supposed to.

Orthotics Provide Effective Relief for Plantar Fascitis Treatment

Persons with pain caused by flat feet, heel spurs, or who need flat feet treatment can experience the pain eliminated with the use of orthotic insoles. They give the needed support to remedy the areas in the arch that have been weakened. They also give cushioning in areas where too much there is excess pressure on the foot in the heel and ball areas. Orthotics are available in several sizes and styles and are constructed to meet the needs of athletes, high-heel wearers, and everyone in between.

More Information

• Choosing the Right Plantar Fasciitis Orthotics | General: All … – Plantar fasciitis or inflammation of the plantar fascia happens when the plantar fascia suffers very small tears at its insertion into the heel bone, or along its length. With poor biomechanics, excessive use or the presence of other …
• Running Podiatrists’ First Aid Kit: Common Running Pains & Injuries – Plantar fasciitis (arch pain) — Arch pain is often caused by frequent stress on the plantar aspect, or bottom of the foot. When the plantar fascia, a supportive, fibrous band of tissue running from the heel to the ball of the foot, …