We’ve already done an article on whether Birkenstocks are good for flat feet, but now let’s discuss whether they are good for plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis is also known by the almost quaint name of the policeman’s heel. (Due to advances in gender equality, they now prefer to be called police officers and most of them “walk” their beats on Segways now.)
Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of a thick band of tissue that runs over the bottom of your foot and joins your heel bone to your toes. The first symptom is typically a stabbing pain in the heel first thing in the morning.
This ailment is very common in runners. Occupations that require a lot of standing or walking can lead to plantar fasciitis. It also affects overweight and those who wear shoes with inadequate support. Birkenstocks are very comfortable and provide good arch support. But can they help someone with plantar fasciitis?
Why Are Birkenstocks So Popular?
People appreciate fashion with functionality. It is the versatility of this brand that has kept it popular for so many decades. The fact that they are supremely comfortable and ecofriendly also helps. Currently, the new look for Birkenstocks is Velcro fastenings and black leather with contrast stitching to give the shoes more of a touch of elegance that may have been lacking before.
Why Are Birkenstocks Good For Feet?
This largely due to the toe bar. It allows your toes to grip and flex in a natural manner. This stimulates the circulation and also exercises the leg which helps you maintain balance. The deep heel cup keeps the foot’s natural padding secured under the heel to provide better stability. Due to all of the above, all of the proper bones bear the weight of the body to keep the spine and legs properly aligned.
Benefits Of Birkenstock Shoes For Plantar Fasciitis
Birkenstock does stock quite a few products that may aid in soothing plantar fasciitis and heel pain in general. The Birkenstock Arizona sandals are particularly suited for the task of recovering from plantar fasciitis. Mayari is also highly recommended. The latex and cork used to make Birkenstocks conform to the shape of your feet.
This relieves the pressure that leads to plantar fasciitis. The cushioning and the arch support all cradle and protect your foot from impact shock. The deep cupping of these shoes promotes proper gait and enhance equal weight distribution. Taking pressure off the feet can be soothing to those with plantar fasciitis.
Are Birkenstock Sandals Orthopedic?
Birkenstocks do offer orthopedic support. Their arch support can support weakened muscles. The extra toe room can correct foot alignment and promote balance. The contoured footbed ensures even weight distribution plus proper posture. The specially patented cork footbed features anatomical foot support, oblique toe box, and zero-drop sole design.
What Is Special About Birkenstock Sandals?
For two hundred years, Birkenstocks has proven themselves reliable. While they have changed the shoes somewhat over the years to suit the modern buyer they are still devoted to comfort and support. The simple design has created shoes that go with everything and can be worn by anybody. What’s more, these shoes are built to last so they are worth the money put into them.
Are Birkenstocks Good For Arch Support?
Every Birkenstock footbed comes with not only proper arch support but a deep heel cup and plenty of room in the toe area. The purpose of all of this is to aid in the distribution of even weight for the whole foot. This causes an improved posture plus balance all for superior comfort when walking.
Are Birkenstocks Comfortable For Walking?
They are better suited for urban exploration than hiking but they can handle uneven terrain. The cork footbed provides cushioning as well as firm arch support. They are comfortable enough to wear for a very long time.
What Is The Difference Between Soft Bed And Regular Birkenstocks?
Birkenstock features two kinds of footbeds. There is the regular (they’d prefer you call it classic) and then there’s the soft-footbed. They are almost the same when one considers supports. However, the major difference is that the soft footbed comes with a layer of padding between the layers of the footbed. This makes it much softer and even more cushiony than the classic. It isn’t exactly better or worse, it’s just a matter of personal preference.
Do Birkenstocks Fit True To Size?
The fit is pretty much true to size. Some people prefer to get larger or smaller depending on personal preference.
Do Podiatrists Recommend Birkenstocks?
The Arizona Soft Footbed sandal is recommended for being supportive with a good footbed. Podiatrists do acknowledge that breaking in new Birks can feel a little uncomfortable at first, but that’s just the feet being pushed into proper alignment.
What Is The Main Cause Of Plantar Fasciitis?
This inflammation is usually a result of a strain injury which leads to micro-tears to the ligament as it is attached to the heel bone or other spots of tightness along the sole of the foot. Excessive running or walking can do it as improper footwear or landing wrong while jumping. Reactive arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis can be contributing factors.
What Causes Plantar Fasciitis To Flare Up?
Prolonged physical activity can cause a person’s plantar fasciitis to flare up. People with such pains do not feel it until the physical activity has stopped.
What Shoes Do Doctors Recommend For Plantar Fasciitis?
It can be as plain and simple as a shoe that fits correctly and gives support to your feet. The shoes need to have cushioning and arch support. You may need to have your feet professionally measured to see what kind of shoe is best for you.
Can You Wear Sandals If You Have Plantar Fasciitis?
You can, if the sandals have a footbed that is thick and rigid with good arch support and rather thick heel cups. The sandals should also provide some padding for your foot as you walk. The sandals must distribute your weight evenly throughout the foot. Most flip flops are too flat for people with plantar fasciitis so you should not use these.
Is Walking Barefoot Good For Plantar Fasciitis?
It has its pros and cons. Walking barefoot can improve a person’s gait, posture, and balance. But it can remove shock absorption, lead to injury and heel pain. With everything weighed out, it seems more advantageous for people with plantar fasciitis to wear shoes, if they are good shoes.
Does Wrapping Help Plantar Fasciitis?
Taping or wrapping can indeed lower the level of stretching and moving the ligament does when you are up on your feet. This not only allows your plantar fascia to have a chance to heal but it can also aid in avoiding any further damage.
Is Epsom Salt Good For Plantar Fasciitis?
It is an inflammatory substance. However, there is no evidence that Epsom salt baths are by any margin more effective than an ordinary bath or soak. But it couldn’t hurt. An Epsom salt soak will soften the skin. A relaxing back or soak can do wonders for your feet.
What Is The Best Exercise For Plantar Fasciitis?
Since the heel pain of plantar fasciitis is at its worst with the first steps of the morning, to the stretches before you get out of bed. Stretch each foot by flexing it up and down ten times before standing.
Later, you can do toe stretches by gently pulling on each toe one by one. A resistance stretch using a towel can also help. Of course, rolling a ball with your foot is one of the most popular ways to treat plantar fasciitis.
How Does Rolling A Ball Help Plantar Fasciitis?
This is actually more of a massage technique than a real exercise. If you place a tennis ball on the ground, sit in a chair, and gently roll it around with your foot you are giving the tissues in the sole of your foot a deep massage. This massage technique can loosen up the plantar fascia, which makes it much less likely to get irritated. Some people like to use a frozen water bottle to further bring down the swelling.
Do Compression Socks Help Plantar Fasciitis?
Compression socks fit snugly around the foot which improves the circulation support of movement and muscle recovery. Blood flow needs to be increased to this area because the damaged tissue needs oxygenated blood that is rich in nutrients. Other muscles get overworked to compensate for the damaged ones so compression can help these muscles as well as the hurt ones.
Why Do Compression Socks Work For Plantar Fasciitis?
Inflammation is often the result of poor circulation. A compression sock will prevent injury by keeping you aligned as you move. If you wear socks while training or sleeping your pain will get better much faster.
Should You Massage Plantar Fasciitis?
This is indeed highly recommended. It will get the blood flowing for one. Even a superficial massage can do that. However, what you need for plantar fasciitis is a deep tissue massage. This will help by loosening up the tendons, ligaments, and fascia that over time have become painfully tight. This massage therapy will relax them back into their normal position. If you loosen up the fibrous tissue band that will allow it to get back to its natural shape.
How Do You Massage Plantar Fasciitis?
Rolling a ball around can help but sometimes you just got to get your fingers in there. Remember to begin with a relatively soft touch and gradually raise up the pressure of your hands or any objects you might be using as your pain improves.
Keep from pushing on any very sore spots. Remember that your feet should feet better than usual after a massage. Warm-up with a light massage and use moisturizer. Here is one recommended technique. it is known as the heel of hand massage.
- Sit down on the bed or a chair and bring one foot up to lay where you can touch it with your hand.
- Use the heel of your opposite hand to press down on the sole of your foot. Work it from the heel to the toes.
- Begin with long strokes and light pressure. Gradually lengthen your strokes and add more pressure. Use your body weight to keep up the pressure. Lean in as you massage.
- Go over the surface of your foot time or two in order to really loosen up the fascia tissue.
How Can I Speed Up The Healing Of Plantar Fasciitis?
If you wish to add any intensity to your work out remember to do it gradually as too much at once is not good for your muscles. if you have plantar fasciitis take some time out to recover. Even if you don’t, allow yourself a recovery period between training sessions.
Strengthening your shins can do wonders. Remember to do your stretching. Even if you don’t have plantar fasciitis, remember to stretch before exercising and of course wear proper footwear.
Conclusion
Birkenstocks have a lot of features that could be helpful to someone suffering plantar fasciitis and other foot ailments. It should be noted that brand new Birkenstocks take a while to break in and would not be recommended for people with debilitating foot disabilities. However, their superior arch support could make them a preventive measure, and someone with plantar fasciitis may benefit from a fully broken-in pair.
You may find these articles helpful:
Can A Chiropractor Help With Plantar Fasciitis?
A Detailed Guide: Can Birkenstocks Get Wet?
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