Do Custom Orthotics Work for Plantar Fasciitis? Your Official Guide

What Causes Plantar Fasciitis? 

While there are numerous foot ailments that can crop up in your lifetime, plantar fasciitis is one of the most common. This condition impacts the lives of more than half of the American population. 

If you're a person that puts their feet under a lot of strain, you're all the more susceptible to this condition. For example, as a long-distance runner, a teacher, a hospitality, or health care worker, you could develop plantar fasciitis. 

However, people that carry extra weight, pregnant women, and those with very flat feet and a small foot arch are also prone to this condition.

So, what does it feel like? Some of the hallmark symptoms of plantar fasciitis include: 

• A sharp, shooting pain in your heel(s) when you stand up first thing in the morning 
• A sharp, shooting pain when you stand up after long periods of sitting 
• Pain in your heels after long periods of standing or walking 
• The pain can be severe enough that it interferes with your ability to perform daily activities, i.e. playing with your kids, walking, etc. 

How does one develop this foot condition, anyway?

Plantar fasciitis is the result of tiny tears, tissue degeneration, and inflammation of the plantar fascia. This is a large ligament that runs throughout the foot. Excessive amounts of stress on this ligament over time can result in strain and degeneration of the ligament tissue. 

Most people will experience pain in just one foot that shoots from the middle of the foot through to the heel. While others might experience localized pain in just their heel. 

Custom Orthotics: Can They Really Resolve Plantar Fasciitis?

The answer to whether custom orthotics can help resolve plantar fasciitis is not straight-cut. The reason for this is that each case of plantar fasciitis is unique to each person. What might help one person, might not work as well for another. 

However, custom orthotics can go a long way in improving the condition of plantar fasciitis. However, they might not singularly solve the issue altogether. 

What are custom orthotics? 

They are specialized shoe inserts that you can wear for additional arch support of your foot. They also add cushioning to your heel area to protect the plantar fascia ligament and a deteriorating heel pad.

All in all, custom orthotics are one of the best treatments for managing plantar fasciitis. Although, it's considered a conservative approach. 

Other Benefits of Custom Orthotics

• The process of acquiring orthotics is easier than ever. You don't need to visit a specialist podiatrist. Your local chiropractor can help you find the right pair of orthotics for your needs
• You no longer have to wait months for custom orthotics, you can receive them in as little as a few weeks 
• Custom orthotics offer corrective pronation. If you have flat feet, over-arched feet, or a problem with your gait, orthotics can help correct these issues 
• Custom orthotics restore the biomechanics of how your feet/foot works, reducing pain and inflammation over time 



Not only this, but a good custom orthotic also redistributes pressure across your foot. This ensures that your heel takes less strain and prevents your plantar fasciitis from becoming worse. 

Are Custom Orthotics Worth the Cost?

Custom orthotics are not just a good option for managing plantar fasciitis. In fact, they can help you overcome a number of different foot ailments you might be struggling with, as mentioned above. 

This is the reason why custom orthotics really are worth the initial investment. 

What Are the Other Options for Treating Plantar Fasciitis?

The reality of plantar fasciitis is that it's a complicated condition of the ligaments in the foot. This means that custom orthotics are not necessarily a magical, ''cure-all'' solution to this condition. 

It's important to bear in mind that custom orthotics are part of a treatment plan that your chiropractor will recommend for your individual case. This plan might also include stretching exercises, physical therapy, and other forms of pain relief. 

Stretching exercises for treating plantar fasciitis are particularly helpful. Essentially, they help to improve the flexibility of the plantar fascia ligament, as well as the surrounding tissue in that area.

Stretching exercises also promote healthy blood flow. This, in turn, reduces the amount of inflammation around the ligament. All in all, this promotes healing in the area, reduces strain on the plantar fascia, and reduces your pain levels. 

Many stretching and physical therapy exercises not only focus on the heel area but also the calf muscles and the Achilles tendon. When these areas become tight and dysfunctional, it can only exacerbate your pain as it adds strain to the plantar fascia ligament.



If you notice any of the above-mentioned symptoms of plantar fasciitis, don't put off your treatment. The quicker you visit a chiropractor who can assess the condition, the quicker you can resolve the issue and your pain. 

Resolve Your Foot Pain With Fisher Chiropractic

If you're struggling with any kind of persistent foot pain, you want to visit Fisher Chiropractic before your condition becomes unmanageable. The faster you can nip an issue in the bud, the better your chances of full recovery. 

Fisher Chiropractic, based in Naples, FL, is your go-to for custom orthotics and the management of conditions such as plantar fasciitis. Get in touch with our team today and get on top of your pain management.