This is the one million dollar question physical therapists get asked a lot! The tricky thing about plantar fasciitis, is that when your feet are quite sensitive, the orthotic that is best tolerated is one that is soft and cushioned, to reduce pressure on the sore area on the bottom of the foot. You might find good success with a Dr. Scholl’s off the shelf heel cushion or full length shoe cushion that you can find at any drugstore or big box store. However, once this sensitivity is diminished, anyone with a history of plantar fasciitis will benefit from a thorough physical therapy evaluation to determine the root cause of the arch pain. Many times what seems like a foot problem actually is some sciatic nerve root irritation stemming from the low back and/or back of the hip, along with local irritation of the arch. If this irritation continues, even if you have some short term relief from foot pain, it will likely return if the source of the problem has not been adequately addressed. This would also be a good time to re-assess what orthotic might best reduce the odds of the plantar fasciitis from returning, which is likely to be a more rigid, motion blocking orthotic that you cannot find over the counter at any local stores. This is something you would want to get from a physical therapist or podiatrist to ensure you find the right product for your particular foot type and the type of gait pattern you demonstrate. At MotionWorks Physical Therapy, patients have had excellent results with either custom foot orthotics or our Vasyli customizable orthotics that are very reasonably priced.
If you would like a custom foot orthotic evaluation or a complementary quick customizable orthotic fitting, call MotionWorks Physical Therapy at 920-215-2050 for a one-on-one appointment with one of our physical therapist orthotic specialists.