Do insoles really help with plantar fasciitis?

Some people come in saying the sole of the foot feels as though it is tearing. Most suspect plantar fasciitis and reach for insoles first.

There are several reasons a sole hurts

• High tension through the sole of the foot
• A collapsed arch that no longer spreads body weight
• A bone spur on the sole irritating muscle
• Weight gain overloading the muscles of the sole

Different causes call for different things to be done.

When an insole makes it worse

If an insole spreads pressure across the sole properly and restores the function of the arch, it can help reduce and prevent pain. But an insole worn to spread pressure can also create pain. Just as fingerprints differ, so does the shape of every sole. A mass-produced insole that does not match your foot fails to spread pressure and gathers it in one place instead. The arch is the same. Too low will not do, and neither will too high. It has to be made to function properly.

Often it is not only the sole

This is the important part. In most cases a problem in the sole is not a problem of the sole alone. If the pelvis is rotated or your weight sits to one side, then even if the sole improves, the problem can move elsewhere in the body and appear as a different pain. Spreading pressure across the sole is, in the end, also a matter of posture and alignment.

Something worth doing alongside

Along with using an insole correctly, pain in the sole often eases when the calf muscles are released. Try calf stretching alongside. Treating only the painful area makes recurrence hard to prevent. The hidden cause has to be looked for in the areas connected to it.

In short

• An insole can help, or it can make things worse
• A mass-produced insole that does not match your foot gathers pressure in one place
• Looking at the pelvis and where your weight sits is what prevents recurrence
• Try calf stretching alongside

If you have a question, please call. The number is 055-754-9999.
Have a confident day.
Thank you.