Absolutely. The plantar fascia is a ligament, or specialized connective tissue, located near the soles of your feet. This tissue serves an important purpose in walking and running.
The plantar fascia forms the arches of your feet. Furthermore, since the plantar fascia runs the entire length of the foot - from heel to toe - this tissue serves as the foundation for the foot’s entire bottom surface.
Unfortunately, the plantar fascia often becomes inflamed in a condition called plantar fasciitis. The symptoms of plantar fasciitis include heel pain, intense pain throughout the feet, and pain upon first walking after waking. Runners and joggers are particularly susceptible to plantar fasciitis, as are those with abnormally high arches.
Repetitive stress is one of the chief causes of plantar fasciitis, but you don’t have to be a marathon runner to suffer from this condition. Typical, everyday walking can eventually result in plantar fasciitis if you lack good arch support.
Custom orthotic shoes are an excellent method of preventing and reducing the pain and discomfort of plantar fasciitis. When you have quality orthotics that are personalized for your unique foot anatomy, your plantar fascia is under less strain from the constant impacts of walking and running. Less strain means less irritation, leading to a more active lifestyle and pain-free feet.