It feels like being stabbed in the bottom of the foot. That’s how plantar fasciitis sufferers describe this very common ailment. The good news is that over-the-counter shoe insoles can make a huge difference. They are much cheaper than custom orthotics, a bonus since it might take experimenting with a couple of brands to see which one works best for you. Some offer more cushioning, while others use a firm, flexible shell to provide support to blunt the pain. Find a pair of insoles that work for your foot, then buy a few more to line multiple pairs of shoes.
You can try a heel cup for plantar fasciitis relief, but a better bet is an insole that cradles the foot from heel to toe. Models that incorporate a full-length semi-rigid shell help spread the pressure of each step along a wider area, and the best have specifically designed heel cups and arch supports. Most full-length insoles can easily be removed and used in a variety of shoe styles without additional trimming.
While most insoles will work for a variety of uses, some are designed to excel in specific circumstances. If you are on your feet all day and walk on hard surfaces such as concrete or wood floors, there are insoles made specifically to spread out the pressure and shock of long-term use. Look for deep heel cups that cradle the back of the foot each time you take a step, and a full-length EVA sole that will take the pounding out of an all-day shift in a warehouse, retail shop, restaurant, or other hard-floor environment.
If you need heavy-duty support, there are insoles made to take extreme pressure and pounding. Reinforced arches help distribute weight, while engineered inserts are carefully placed to tame the shock of thousands of footsteps each day.
