The Perils of Going Barefoot with Plantar Fasciitis: Protect Your Feet, Heal with Care (2024)
Plantar Fasciitis is a common and often painful condition that affects the plantar fascia, a band of tissue connecting the heel to the toes. People suffering from this ailment often experience sharp pain in the heel or arch of the foot, particularly in the morning or after prolonged periods of rest. While some may consider going barefoot as a way to alleviate discomfort, it can actually worsen the symptoms and delay the healing process. In this blog post, Lucky Shoes will explore the reasons why going barefoot is not advisable for individuals with plantar fasciitis.
One of the primary reasons to avoid going barefoot when you have plantar fasciitis is the lack of proper support. Shoes, particularly those designed for individuals with this condition, provide essential arch support, cushioning, and stability. The Hoka Bondi 8 from Lucky Shoes is a great example of a shoe that one can wear to help support the foot with proper arch support, cushioning, and stability. These features help to distribute the pressure evenly across the foot, reducing the strain on the plantar fascia. Going barefoot, on the other hand, exposes the foot to hard surfaces and provides no additional support, leading to increased stress on the inflamed tissue.
Walking or standing barefoot puts excessive strain on the plantar fascia. The absence of cushioning and shock absorption exposes the already tender tissue to impact and pressure from the ground. This can exacerbate the inflammation, leading to heightened pain and a prolonged recovery period. This is why Lucky Shoes recommends that even at home, wearing proper footwear will help heal plantar fasciitis. The Gemma Slipper by Vionic at Lucky Shoes is a great supportive slipper option to wear at home. It is crucial to provide proper support and protection to the affected foot to minimize strain and allow for healing.
Walking barefoot increases the risk of further injury for individuals with plantar fasciitis. Without the protective barrier of shoes, the foot is vulnerable to sharp objects, even surfaces, and accidental impacts. Stepping on a pebble, glass shard, or any other foreign object can cause a sudden increase in pain and potentially lead to additional complications. Lucky Shoes carries Dansko, a brand that specializes in stability and arch support. The Dansko Paisley at Lucky Shoes is a great outdoor shoe that features an immense amount of stability for the foot, even on uneven surfaces. Wearing supportive footwear acts as a shield, reducing the likelihood of such injuries, and providing an extra layer of safety.
Plantar Fasciitis can affect your natural gait and foot alignment. The pain and discomfort associated with the condition may cause you to adjust your walking pattern or favor the unaffected foot, leading to an uneven distribution of weight. Going barefoot further disrupts your gait, potentially causing imbalances and strain on other parts of the body, such as the knees, hips, and lower back. That is why Vionic is a very important brand at Lucky Shoes. Items like the Vionic Cheryl II are not only trend-right, but feature a Vionic arch support that properly aligns your entire body. By wearing supportive shoes, you can maintain a more balanced gait and promote proper alignment, reducing the risk of secondary issues.
One of the functions of footwear is to absorb shock while walking or engaging in physical activities. Well-cushioned shoes help to distribute the impact forces and reduce stress on the plantar fascia. The Oofos Ooriginal at Lucky Shoes is a recovery sandal that provides cushioning and support, and in turn, shock absorption when walking. Going barefoot provides no cushioning, which means your feet bear the full brunt of each step. This lack of shock absorption can intensify the pain and delay the healing process, as the inflamed tissue is continually subjected to jarring forces.
While it may seem appealing to walk barefoot when dealing with plantar fasciitis, it is crucial to prioritize the health and healing of your feet. Going barefoot exacerbates strain, increases risk of injury, disrupts gait and alignment, and lacks the necessary support and shock absorption. Instead opt for footwear from Lucky Shoes that is specifically designed for individuals with plantar fasciitis, proving ample arch support, cushioning, and stability. By protecting your feet and promoting a healthy environment, you can expedite recovery and alleviate discomfort in the long run. Remember, the path to healing begins with every step you take.
Because of the lack of heel cushioning, minimalist shoes have been associated with an increased incidence of heel (calcaneal) fractures, especially in high arched, rigid foot types.
Don't continue to jog or walk long distances. Continuing to do so increases the chance of making the inflammation worse. Increased strain on the ligament can cause tearing in the ligament that can require surgical intervention. Don't wait too long to see a podiatrist.
Wearing supportive shoes around the house is crucial: Not only do many people feel a sharp or dull heel pain first thing in the morning, but your feet should be supported with every single step, which includes those around the house, Dr. Cornell explains.
One of the most effective ways to manage plantar fasciitis is to rest your foot. This helps relieve the physical stress that contributes to inflammation. The protection phase is the first and arguably most important part of the P.O.L.I.C.E.
The short answer is yes. For many people, barefoot is probably the best footwear for plantar fasciitis. Strengthening foot muscles is one effective way to prevent plantar fasciitis.
“I inform my patients who have had chronic knee pain that minimalist shoes are something they may wish to consider. If they have had chronic Achilles tendinitis or repetitive metatarsal stress fractures, they may not be good candidates.”
Inflammation and tension on the plantar fascia can cause tiny tears in the fascia over time. Your pain will gradually worsen as a result, and if left untreated, these tears could multiply and enlarge, making the plantar fascia more prone to rupture and disablement.
Stretching is one of the best treatments for plantar fasciitis. Stretching should be focused on the plantar fascia and the Achilles tendon. A physical therapist can show you stretching exercises that you can repeat at home several times a day.
In fact, walking may actually inflame the plantar fascia more, leading to an extension of your treatment. While it's not walking alone that could further inflame the ligament, if you're not wearing the right shoes or are exerting yourself too much, the plantar fasciitis can flare up.
Treatment is non-operative, with pain control, relative rest, gentle stretching and a gradual return to activities over a period of weeks to months. The injury is usually quite painful and therefore initial treatment is generally oriented towards pain control with ice, crutches and limited activity.
Instead, opt for sleeping on your back or side with a pillow placed under your knees or between your legs, respectively. This will help maintain proper alignment of the spine and reduce pressure on the plantar fascia.
If you're suffering from plantar fasciitis, one of the best ways to get relief is by stretching and strengthening the area giving you trouble. Loosening the plantar fascia can prevent it from tearing, strengthen the supporting muscles (thus helping to reduce stress on the ligament) and reduce inflammation.
One of the best ways to improve your foot pain is to apply compression. Compression increases blood flow, and increased blood flow means faster healing. Wearing compression socks is one great way to ensure progress during your plantar fasciitis recovery.
Far from being a permanent or chronic condition, plantar fasciitis typically responds well to treatment. Most people recover completely with a few months of conservative treatment. And, you have lots of options available to you. Many cases of plantar fasciitis respond positively to conservative treatment strategies.
"Although not everyone with flat feet suffers from foot pain, people with flat feet overpronate, which means their arch collapses for abnormally long periods of time during the gait cycle." Thanks to the lack of support their arches are getting from zero drop shoes, this prolonged overpronation can lead to plantar ...
Modern shoes have built-in cushioning to help reduce the amount of stress that is directed into the heel; with Barefoot shoes, that lack of cushioning can lead to more significant stress being put onto the muscles & bones within the foot, ankle, knee, hip and sometimes into the spine.
And if you drop something heavy that lands on your foot, shoes will deflect some of the force and may mitigate injury. Unshod feet, especially in public areas like gyms and pools, run the risk of picking up a fungal infection like athlete's foot or plantar warts.
Introduction: My name is Corie Satterfield, I am a fancy, perfect, spotless, quaint, fantastic, funny, lucky person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
We notice you're using an ad blocker
Without advertising income, we can't keep making this site awesome for you.
