Plantar Fasciitis Arch Support
Experiencing the distinct, sharp pain of plantar fasciitis can significantly disrupt your daily routine and comfort. A key factor in managing this common foot condition is providing adequate support to the arch of your foot. Understanding plantar fasciitis and how arch support can alleviate symptoms is crucial.
What is Plantar Fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is a common and often persistent condition characterised by pain in the heel and arch of the foot. It involves the inflammation, and sometimes degeneration, of the plantar fascia – a thick band of tissue that runs across the bottom of your foot, connecting your heel bone to your toes. This strong ligament supports the arch of your foot and acts as a shock absorber.
The main symptom of plantar fasciitis is usually a stabbing pain in the heel, which is typically most severe with the first few steps in the morning or after periods of rest, such as sitting for a long time. The pain may also be felt along the arch and can worsen after exercise or prolonged standing, although it might decrease during the activity itself. The affected area can also be tender to the touch.
This condition arises when the plantar fascia is subjected to excessive or repetitive stress, leading to tears and inflammation. Several factors can contribute to this strain, including overuse from activities like running or prolonged standing, improper footwear lacking support, certain foot mechanics (such as flat feet or very high arches) and excess weight. When the arch of the foot is not adequately supported, the plantar fascia has to work harder and can become overloaded, leading to the painful symptoms of plantar fasciitis.
How Does Arch Support Help with Plantar Fasciitis?
Arch support plays a critical role in both the prevention and management of plantar fasciitis. The arches of our feet are designed to distribute body weight evenly, absorb shock, and provide a spring for propulsion when we walk or run. When the arch is not properly supported, it can lead to a range of biomechanical issues that place increased stress on the plantar fascia.
Here’s how specific arch support helps individuals suffering from plantar fasciitis:
- Reduces Strain on the Plantar Fascia: The primary benefit of arch support is that it helps to maintain the natural contour of the foot’s arch. By providing an external structure that props up the arch, it reduces the amount the arch flattens during weight-bearing activities. This, in turn, lessens the tensile forces and stretching experienced by the plantar fascia. With reduced strain, the ligament is less likely to suffer from micro-tears and inflammation.
- Improves Foot Alignment and Biomechanics: Many people with plantar fasciitis have issues with foot alignment, such as overpronation (where the foot rolls inward excessively). Arch support can help to control this motion, guiding the foot into a more neutral and stable position. Correcting these biomechanical imbalances ensures that weight is distributed more evenly across the foot, rather than concentrating stress on the plantar fascia.
- Provides Shock Absorption: While cushioning is also important, good arch support contributes to the foot’s natural shock-absorbing capabilities. By supporting the arch, it allows the foot to manage impact forces, reducing the jarring effect on the plantar fascia and heel.
- Allows the Plantar Fascia to Rest and Heal: For the plantar fascia to recover from inflammation and micro-tears, it needs to be protected from ongoing excessive stress. Arch support effectively ‘unloads’ the fascia to a certain degree, providing it with an opportunity to rest even while you are active. This supportive environment is crucial for the healing process.
- Increases Comfort and Reduces Pain: By addressing the underlying biomechanical stresses, arch support can lead to a reduction in pain associated with plantar fasciitis. This allows you to stand, walk and perform daily activities with greater comfort.
Arch support helps to restore the foot’s natural mechanics, reducing the excessive load on the plantar fascia and creating an optimal environment for healing and pain relief.
Insollz Revolutionary Orthotic Insollz offering Plantar Fasciitis
Arch Support
Insollz orthotic insoles are expertly engineered to provide superior arch support specifically targeted for individuals suffering from plantar fasciitis. Understanding the critical role of the arch in foot health and pain relief, Insollz address the biomechanical imbalances that contribute to this debilitating condition.
Here’s how Insollz deliver plantar fasciitis arch support:
- Anatomically Contoured Design: Insollz feature an arch that is anatomically shaped to match the natural contours of a healthy foot. This ergonomic design ensures that the arch of your foot receives consistent and appropriate support along its entire length.
- Optimal Support and Stability: The arch support in Insollz is constructed from materials that offer the right balance of rigidity and flexibility. It is firm enough to prevent the arch from collapsing under the pressure of body weight and daily activities, reducing the strain on the plantar fascia.
- Targeted Relief for the Plantar Fascia: By precisely supporting the arch, Insollz directly reduce the tensile stress on the plantar fascia ligament. When the arch is properly supported, the plantar fascia does not have to stretch excessively with each step. This targeted support helps to alleviate the pulling sensation at the heel and along the arch, which is characteristic of plantar fasciitis.
- Enhanced Biomechanical Function: Insollz orthotics help to align the foot and ankle into a more biomechanically efficient position. This improved alignment ensures that forces are distributed more evenly across the foot during standing and walking. By correcting imbalances, Insollz reduce abnormal stresses not only on the plantar fascia but also on other parts of the foot, ankles, knees, and even the lower back.
- Integrated Comfort Features: While the arch support is a primary feature, Insollz also incorporate other elements like heel cushioning and shock-absorbing materials. These work in synergy with the arch support to provide comprehensive relief.
Insollz provide an effective solution for anyone seeking relief from plantar fasciitis through effective arch support. By stabilising the foot, reducing strain on the plantar fascia, and promoting better biomechanics, Insollz help to alleviate pain and support the foot’s natural healing processes.
Get In Touch
If you have a question or would like to know more about us please get in touch.
