Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar Fasciitis

Living with the pain of plantar fasciitis can greatly impact your quality of life, making it hard for you to complete the simplest of tasks and even sleep comfortably at night. Fortunately, you can take steps to reduce your discomfort and manage your symptoms. At Walgreens, we carry many of the latest products designed for plantar fasciitis management available to meet your needs and complete your treatment plan.

What Is Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is a very common problem that affects a part of the foot known as the plantar fascia. This band of tissue runs along the bottom of your foot from the bottoms of your toes to your heel. Its purpose is to strengthen and support the arch of your foot. When this tissue becomes injured or strained, it develops inflammation, which leads to the pain associated with plantar fasciitis. If you suffer from the condition, you may experience pain when you begin to walk in the morning, when you walk after periods of sitting, as you climb stairs or after you have worked out or performed a strenuous activity. Before using any type of product to address plantar fasciitis symptoms, it is important to talk to your doctor or health care provider about your concerns. He or she can confirm that you're suffering from plantar fasciitis and recommend the best methods of dealing with your discomfort.

Do Insoles Help Plantar Fasciitis?

Often, doctors recommend that people dealing with plantar fasciitis take steps to protect and support the soles of their feet during the day. This is often done through the use of insoles or orthotics that are placed inside of shoes. The insoles provide cushioning and help to reduce stress and strain on the plantar fascia in order to diminish pain. Insoles are typically designed to fit men's or women's shoes and are sized according to standard shoe sizes, making it easy to select the right model for your needs.

Do Plantar Fasciitis Night Splints Work?

If you suffer from plantar fasciitis pain first thing in the morning, your doctor may recommend that you wear a special splint or ankle brace while you sleep. The purpose of this type of plantar fasciitis product is to keep the foot extended throughout the night, to reduce stress on the plantar fascia. This can lead to greater comfort both while you sleep and in the morning. Like insoles, plantar fasciitis night braces and splints are sized. The sizing may run according to shoe size or the physical measurements of the feet. You can read the product descriptions of specific products for more information about sizing.

Cold Therapy for Plantar Fasciitis

Medical doctors sometimes recommend cold therapy for alleviating the pain of plantar fasciitis. Chilling the bottom of the foot with ice can help to reduce blood flow to the plantar fascia, which in turn can help inflammation. Many people find it difficult to hold an ordinary ice pack on the bottoms of their feet for long periods of time, so manufacturers offer special packs and splints that stay in place on their own.