Plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain in adults. The plantar fascia is a thick band of fibrous connective tissue that attaches to the heel bone, runs across the bottom of the foot and fans out to connect at the base of each toe. It provides support for the arch of the foot, which helps to lift the arch during normal walking and also acts as a shock absorber during walking and running.

Overuse of the plantar fascia, which most commonly occurs during weight-bearing athletics such as running or even extended periods of standing, can cause small, repetitive tears in the fibers that make up the fascia.

The resultant inflammation and swelling produces the pain of plantar fasciitis. Damage is most common in areas where the stress on the connective tissue is greatest and where the fascia is thinnest, as it curves around the back of the heel. Plantar fasciitis is particularly common in older people because the heel fat pad that normally protects the plantar fascia in this region thins with age. Patients with plantar fasciitis typically feel a sharp pain in the heel, particularly on rising in the morning and at the beginning of a walk or run. The pain that may fade as they warm up. The pain may also occur with prolonged standing and is sometimes accompanied by stiffness.

Some Brands That Relieve the Pain

– Finn Comfort

• Finn Comfort is a German made shoe with meticulously hand-stitched seams for superior flexibility and comfort.
• Concave heel design provides extra shock resistance and cushioning which will relieve stress on knees, hips and spine.
• Durable, lightweight and flexible polyurethane and/or rubber outsole is highly shock-absorbent and gentle on joints.
• Removable anatomically correct orthopedic footbeds with contoured arch and metatarsal support provide great fit, optimum support and superior comfort.
• Many Finn Comfort styles feature a small rocker sole which is designed to center you in the arch of your foot which relieves pressure on the plantar fascia. Featured: Ikebekuro

–New Balance

• Technology and innovation are at the forefront of the New Balance shoe brand. Every shoe model is carefully designed for today’s active person.
• Encap – Cushioning in the midsole with a polyurethane rim for a more durable wear.
• Rollbar – A posting system added to reduce the movement on the heel, preventing pronation or supination of the foot.
• Abzorb – Cushioning in the heel for an optimum comfort while walking and running.
• New Balance Technology provides extra cushion and support that combined together provides excellent relief for any individual suffering from Plantar Fasciitis. Featured: W1540

–SAS (San Antonio Shoemakers)

• SAS Tripad™ Construction: It features 3 built-in green odor-resistant cushions for the three main pressure points of your foot; the inside ball, outside ball and the heel. Each shoe is made with high quality materials that never lose their shock-absorbing capacity.

• SAS Foot-Shape® Last: Each shoe was constructed on a last that is built to follow the natural shape of your foot. They provide supreme comfort while giving ample breathing room for your toes.

• All Day Supersoft® Lightweight Sole: They are designed to feature a wider sole that provides increased base stability while giving excellent shock absorption in key pressure points. Every SAS sole is made of very durable molded polyurethane containing millions of tiny air bubbles to cushion your every step.

• SAS features many different technologies to ensure a comfortable fit. The Walk Easy specifically features a small rocker bottom designed to take the weight off the heel relieving much of the foot pain that comes with Plantar Fasciitis.  Featured: Walk Easy