The Best Shoes for Plantar Fasciitis
One of the most common causes of heel pain, plantar fasciitis can cause stabbing aches in your foot, making each step feel excruciating. For people who spend all day on their feet, a flare-up of plantar fasciitis can completely derail a day.
Wearing the right shoes can make all the difference.
"To avoid and to treat plantar fasciitis, the foundation is the shoes you wear and how much arch support you give your feet," Dr. Elizabeth Daughtry, DPM, FACFAS, told CBS Sports Essentials. By wearing supportive walking shoes or running shoes, you can minimize the pain that tends to shoot through your foot each time you step down.
What makes a good shoe for plantar fasciitis? According to Dr. Mohammad Rimawi, a New York City-based board-certified podiatrist, "Arch support, shock absorption in the heel and flexibility in the forefoot are crucial."
Keep reading to find the absolute best shoes for plantar fasciitis, according to podiatrists.
What's the best running shoe for plantar fasciitis?
The shoes doctors recommend for plantar fasciitis are cushy and stable -- often from top-rated running-shoe brands like Hoka or Brooks. But the common dominator across every shoe doctors recommended: arch support and shock absorption.
"The brands of shoes that I recommend for patients with plantar fasciitis are either On or Hoka, as they provide ample cushion and support while still being relatively light," Dr. Matt Tanneberg, chiropractor and certified strength and conditioning specialist at Body Check Chiropractic & Sports Rehabilitation, told CBS Sports Essentials.
"Always lean to the side of more supportive and cushioned," Tanneberg emphasized, adding that you should stay away from minimalist or flat shoes if you're dealing with plantar fasciitis.
In addition to wearing the right shoes, podiatrists also noted the importance of getting rid of old shoes.
"Regularly replace worn-out sneakers to maintain proper support and shock absorption," Rimaw advised. The rule of thumb is to replace your walking shoes or running shoes every 500 miles, but the key is to pay attention to signs of wear and tear. If that once-cushy and supportive insole now looks flattened and worn, it might be time for an upgrade.
Does anything really help plantar fasciitis?
In general, podiatrists agree that the best way to help plantar fasciitis is to wear supportive shoes and make stretching and massage part of your daily routine.
"Stretching exercises help keep the ligament gently stretched to avoid excessive tightness," Daughtry says. Your daily routine should include a massage gun to alleviate muscle tension followed by gentle stretches that help improve flexibility and minimize tightness.
Another key for both treating and preventing future flare-ups of plantar fasciitis: Wear supportive shoes all the time. "Supportive footwear should be worn not only during physical activity but also at home to reduce strain on the plantar fascia," Rimawi said.
If you don't typically wear shoes in your house, consider getting a pair of supportive recovery shoes that you only wear at home.
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