Foot pain before you’ve had coffee in the morning, or every time you stand from sitting, are hallmarks of plantar fasciitis. So many of us experience this and accept it as a part of daily life. Researching the right shoes can be an overwhelming prospect, so we’ve done it for you. This heel pain you’re experiencing is caused by inflammation that can be easily exacerbated by physical activity that involves impact on the feet which can intensify the heel pain. One of the first steps that are often recommended to individuals suffering from plantar fasciitis is to make sure that all shoes are properly supporting the feet. While orthotic insoles to athletic shoes are common, it can be easy to forget the other types of footwear that lack the support you need to keep the symptoms of plantar fasciitis at bay. One of the most common types of overlooked footwear is slippers. House shoes are a cozy and comfortable choice of footwear, but unfortunately, many slippers for heel pain are not designed with the supportive infrastructure needed for plantar fasciitis. For those suffering from plantar fasciitis, we have researched not just the best orthotic insoles, but orthotic house slippers for plantar fasciitis in order to help you find the right slippers for heel pain.
We not only want to help you understand plantar fasciitis and how to pick the perfect pair of slippers or supportive shoes. We have earned a place in the industry as a trusted resource that has dedicated foot doctors, research teams, and shoe stylists, and we are committed to making sure you plantar fasciitis sufferers always have the arch support you need, no matter what the occasion is, which is why we offer orthopedic shoes for every shoe style. When looking for the right orthotic slippers, plantar fasciitis causes and triggers should be kept at the forefront of your mind and used to inform your search for comfortable slippers, which is why we have compiled this information for you. Plantar fasciitis must be fully understood in order to find good house shoes for plantar fasciitis. To make your search simple and easy, we have put together a guide to educate you on what plantar fasciitis is, common causes, and how to find the perfect pair of comfortable slippers to support plantar fasciitis.
What is plantar fasciitis?
Before you can start shopping for the perfect pair of slippers for plantar fasciitis, first let’s dive into what is happening in your feet, one step at a time. By now, you know that plantar fasciitis is a foot condition that is one of the most common causes of heel pain. But what exactly is it?
Plantar fasciitis occurs when the plantar fascia, a thick fibrous band of tissue that runs across the bottom of the foot and connects the heel bone to the toes, becomes inflamed. What does the plantar fascia do? This band of thick fibrous tissue helps to support the muscles, toes, and arch of your feet! Whenever you run, jump, or move, the plantar fascia is supporting your movements, mobility, and acting as shock absorption.
So how does the plantar fascia become inflamed? When the plantar fascia is stretched too much over time, tiny tears develop on the surface resulting in the plantar fascia becoming inflamed and causing pain. It was once thought that plantar fasciitis developed as a result of a heel spur, which are bony growths that can form on the heel, but this myth has since been debunked. Researchers have since found that a heel spur is a result of extended inflammation of the plantar fascia, making it a result of plantar fasciitis rather than a cause. At Vionic, we believe that when you are equipped with information, you can choose footwear like an orthopedic slipper, that addresses your unique needs. Here’s a comprehensive guide that will dive into symptoms, causes, and risk factors for plantar fasciitis to make sure you have all the knowledge you need to find the perfect pair of slippers for plantar fasciitis.
Symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis
If you are suffering from plantar fasciitis, you may feel like you are the only person experiencing the pain of it, but you aren’t! Plantar fasciitis pain is often characterized by sharp, stabbing pains in the bottom and/or heel of the foot. Those suffering from plantar fasciitis often experience this pain most acutely when they first begin walking after waking up. However, plantar fasciitis pain can occur at any time, particularly after rising from sitting. Plantar fasciitis pain can be exacerbated by additional strain and inflammation due to exercise. However, this pain often occurs and worsens after exercise and not during the exercise itself. In addition to stabbing pain, plantar fasciitis may also cause the heel of the foot to be tender to the touch. We know that you will want relief and comfort as soon as possible if you are suffering from plantar fasciitis and we’ve built our business around crafting supportive shoes that provide your feet with the orthotic support they need so you don’t have to feel these symptoms anymore.
Causes of Plantar Fasciitis
While many people don’t think about the role of the plantar fascia, we know it plays a vital role in everyday movements. The plantar fascia acts as a shock absorption that supports the heel bone and arch of the foot. This is how the foot copes with the impact and pressure of everyday life and movements. While you don’t notice this useful tissue every day, you certainly do when it’s inflamed and not giving you the mobility and shock absorption you need. When the plantar fascia becomes stressed and experiences increased tension, small tears can begin to develop on its surface. If the plantar fascia continues to be stretched and torn over time, the plantar fascia becomes increasingly irritated and inflamed. What causes plantar fasciitis to develop is determined on a case-by-case basis and can vary from person to person. We researched the risk factors for developing plantar fasciitis that can contribute to its onset, which we outline below.
Risk Factors for Plantar Fasciitis
What puts you at greater risk for developing plantar fasciitis? Knowing the primary risk factors will help you make a plan for alleviating plantar fasciitis symptoms effectively. Below we have compiled a handful of the most common risk factors for developing plantar fasciitis.
- Foot Mechanics: One of the most common risk factors for plantar fasciitis is the mechanics of the feet. Individuals with high arches or flat feet/low arches are much more likely to develop plantar fasciitis due to the feet being biomechanically imbalanced. This biomechanical imbalance causes the feet to under-pronate (for those with high arches) or over-pronate (for those with flat feet/low arches). In addition to arch height, individuals with an abnormal pattern of walking are also more at risk to develop plantar fasciitis.
- Age: Plantar fasciitis is more common in individuals between the ages of forty to sixty years of age.
- Obesity: Excess weight on the body can put an increased amount of stress on the plantar fascia, which can result in plantar fasciitis.
- Exercise: Individuals who engage in high impact exercises that place a high amount of stress on the heel and attached tissue are more at risk for developing plantar fasciitis. Activities such as running, aerobic dance, circuit training, and ballet are examples of exercises that increase the risk of developing plantar fasciitis.
- Occupation: Jobs that require individuals to spend the majority of their work hours standing or walking on hard surfaces, such as teachers, are more at risk for developing plantar fasciitis.
What to look for in slippers for plantar fasciitis
Picking the perfect pair of shoes for plantar fasciitis can seem like a challenge. The fashion industry often does not consider comfort, while the foot health industry often ignores fashion. Thankfully, once you have the right knowledge and tips, selecting the right pair of slippers for you can be a breeze. To help you pick the perfect pair of slippers, we have put together a guide to choosing the right house slippers for plantar fasciitis. Below we have compiled the key features to look for when selecting a pair of slippers for this particular condition.
- Arch Support: When looking for slippers for plantar fasciitis, we believe the most essential aspect of your selection should be identifying slippers that provide arch support. Individuals with a low arch/flat feet have a very flexible foot with the arch of the foot sitting very close to the ground. Because of this, individuals with low arches are prone to over-pronation, which occurs when the foot rotates too far inward with each step. This makes individuals with low arches prone to developing plantar fasciitis. Conversely, individuals with high arches have a very rigid foot structure that is more susceptible to under-pronation, which means that the foot rolls outward too far. Due to this fact, individuals with high arches are also more likely to develop plantar fasciitis. Finding a comfortable slipper with proper arch support is essential to help prevent plantar fasciitis and alleviate its symptoms
- Sole Cushioning: We know the key to finding the right pair of slippers is comfort. For individuals suffering from plantar fasciitis, sole cushioning is extremely important as it will help to ease the pain that may be felt in the heel. When looking for the perfect pair of house shoes for plantar fasciitis, look for sole cushioning to make sure your slippers feel like clouds for your feet when you’re wearing them around the house.
- High-Quality Materials: Finding the right pair of house slippers also means looking for slippers that are designed using high-quality materials. You do not want a pair of slippers that is going to deteriorate quickly as they will lose their structure and no longer provide the necessary support to your feet. Instead, look for slippers made with high-quality materials that are durable and made to last.
- Stylish Design: We believe that just because your slippers are for plantar fasciitis, doesn’t mean they can’t have a stylish design! Many orthotic slippers and footwear are not designed with style in mind, which means that though they offer the best support, they are not always appealing to wear. We think it it’s important that you select a pair of slippers that have a stylish design that fits your personal aesthetic. Slippers do not need to sacrifice style to be supportive; they can do both.
With these features in mind, we know you can choose the right pair of slippers for plantar fasciitis and help your feet get the orthotic support and comfort they need while not having to give up your personal style.
Benefits of supportive slippers
Slippers are meant to make you feel comfortable and cozy at home. For those of us with plantar fasciitis, that can be challenging. Having both supportive AND cozy slippers is the holy grail of comfort. Below are a handful of the top benefits of having supportive slippers for plantar fasciitis.
- They Offer Unparalleled Comfort: When thinking of a supportive slipper, we know one of the first things that come to mind is the comfort. Slippers are meant to provide your feet with a warm and cozy environment so that they remain comfortable even when the temperatures begin to drop. One aspect of comfort in footwear that is often overlooked is having footwear that provides good arch support to the foot. When your foot does not receive the arch support it needs, it can result in pain and discomfort, in addition to exacerbating any existing foot conditions. By investing in slippers that are made with soft, high-quality materials and built-in supportive infrastructure, you will be able to experience unparalleled comfort.
- They Can Help to Ease The Symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis: The primary symptom of plantar fasciitis is stabbing heel pain, particularly during the first few steps of the day. When your foot is properly supported, it can help to offset tension to the plantar fascia, thereby reducing the pain and discomfort associated with plantar fasciitis. Instead of your foot continuing to stretch and tear the plantar fascia, it is properly supported and can move about more comfortably. Supportive slippers can help your feet have the reinforcement they need to ease the symptoms of plantar fasciitis.
They Can Help to Increase Blood Flow: One of the lesser known benefits of a supportive slipper is that they help to keep the feet, ankles, and legs in proper alignment, which helps to promote blood flow to the lower extremities. This increase in blood flow can help reduce swelling in the feet and ankles that’s often uncomfortable and hinders ease of mobility. In addition, this increase of blood flow to the area helps make sure the area is receiving the amount of blood it needs to function properly. Supportive slippers help to make sure blood flow to the feet and ankles is boosted, which is ideal for those suffering from health conditions, like plantar fasciitis.
If you are looking for the right pair of shoes for plantar fasciitis, we’re here to help! Vionic’s slippers for men and women rely on science-backed innovative roots for their unique biomechanic design that provides optimal support, a deep heel cup, and good arch support to properly align your foot. Vionic produces beautifully made slippers that combine leading technology with fashion-forward style. With our Vionic slipper, no corners are cut. We utilize sophisticated and elegant designs so that our slippers can allow you to live stylishly and wear them confidently while also making sure your feet receive the support they need.
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