Those with plantar fasciitis know how difficult and painful it can be to try and run in standard athletic shoes. Running shoes for plantar fasciitis are designed to remedy that situation.
Running shoes for plantar fasciitis typically contain generous amounts of padding and plenty of arch support. In addition there will be less drop from heel to toe.
Our fitness and health experts got together and determined that the following are the most important benefits of running shoes for plantar fasciitis.
8 Benefits Of Running Shoes For Plantar Fasciitis
Running shoes for plantar fasciitis enable people with that vexing malady to run without further aggravating their condition. Here are some other benefits of running shoes for plantar fasciitis.
1: Running shoes for plantar fasciitis provide robust arch support.
As we just touched on above, any running shoe for plantar fasciitis worthy of the name will supply unwavering arch support. There are several well-known triggers for this condition, with flat-footedness and overpronation being two of the most common. While those two conditions are often thought to be the same they are in fact fundamentally different (1). Flat feet is a structural problem, while overpronation is a mechanical problem. Nonetheless, they can both be effectively addressed by shoes with plenty of arch support.
2: Running shoes for plantar fasciitis provide welcome pain relief.
During the early stages of this condition, the pain may wax and wane. It may well rear its head briefly in the morning and then subside. This can go on for some time and create the impression that the morning pain is just ‘one of those things’. But you ignore heel pain at your own peril. By not addressing the issue, the pain associated with this condition can and will increase over time. Until it becomes a near-constant, and very unwelcome, companion. If you are a runner or just someone who spends a lot of time on their feet, the right response to heel pain is to find a pair of shoes that will address the causes of the pain. All of the shoes on the above list are designed to do precisely that.
3: Running shoes for plantar fasciitis provide stability.
We’ve looked at arch support and cushioning, and those are components of any running shoe for plantar fasciitis. But there is another, often overlooked, aspect of shoe design that can play a role in reducing plantar fasciitis pain: stability. The shoe you choose should grab hold of your foot and encourage a smooth, physically correct motion from heel strike through push off. And this is true even if you experience overpronation or supination (2). Shoes that provide outstanding stability throughout the entire step motion can help counteract both of these conditions.
4: Running shoes for plantar fasciitis can help you stay in shape.
When pain from plantar fasciitis becomes too great many people simply give up running. As a result, their overall physical condition begins to deteriorate. And as they move into middle and old age this lack of physical fitness exacts a heavy toll (3). If you are experiencing heel pain from plantar fasciitis, even if you are already middle-aged or older, don’t give up. The right running shoe can address the issue and enable you to resume running in a pain-free manner. This, in turn, will allow you to maintain good health and enjoy your later years.
5: Running shoes for plantar fasciitis can help correct poor running form.
Sometimes plantar fasciitis is not a matter of overpronation or obesity or even just getting old. It’s the result of poor mechanics. We’re not talking about auto mechanics that don’t have any money. We’re talking about the way you run. If your running form is fundamentally flawed, then the more you run, the greater will be your chances of developing plantar fasciitis (4). Shoes designed to deal with plantar fasciitis encourage proper form from the second your heel hits the ground to the moment you push off with your toes. That eliminates the source of the problem and allows you to enjoy greater benefits from your run because each stride will be more effective.
6: Running shoes for plantar fasciitis absorb shocks.
There is a reason cars haven’t been able to transcend the need for shock absorbers. The ground is an unforgiving taskmaster, and any contact with it needs to be properly mitigated, or it will shake your car to pieces. The same holds true for your body. Every time your foot makes contact with the ground, it absorbs enormous forces that radiate all the way to your head. The arch of the foot is the body’s primary shock absorber. But even it has its limits. And if a person suffers from fallen arches, the ability of the foot to absorb shocks is significantly undermined. Running shoes for plantar fasciitis can restore and augment the natural shock-absorbing properties of the feet.
7: Running shoes for plantar fasciitis are great for walking as well.
Plantar fasciitis is not the exclusive tormentor of the runner. It can affect virtually anyone who spends significant time on their feet. When it comes to older folks, the time spent on their feet doesn’t have to be all that significant. Lots of older folks enjoy long, vigorous walks as a way to stay in shape. And indeed going for regular walks can pay handsome dividends (5). But even this seemingly benign activity can cause inflammation of the plantar fascia. A good way to prevent your walks in the park from ending in foot pain is to use a running shoe designed to address the causes of plantar fasciitis.
8: Running shoes for plantar fasciitis help you stay engaged with life.
Isolation is a major problem with older folks (6). If a person feels they are no longer able to get out and run or walk due to pain in their feet, it could start a downward spiral into isolation that can be difficult to reverse. The right running shoes, however, can help ensure that downward spiral never takes hold. They allow elderly individuals to obtain relief from the pain of this odious condition and stay actively engaged in all aspects of their life.
Conclusion
Running shoes for plantar fasciitis can help people with that condition re-engage with life on a more complete level. They can alleviate the pain associated with running with plantar fasciitis while also helping to correct poor running form and effectively absorbing shocks that could damage leg joints in the long run.