A question that has been bothering me for years is; “Do metatarsal shoes help plantar fasciitis?” The first thought that comes to my mind when I think of this is; “What do I have to lose?” I don’t have the condition, yet I definitely don’t want to wear uncomfortable shoes. As a matter of fact, if you suffer from any condition related to the foot, you should really find a way to heal it as soon as possible.
There are several ways that you can get rid of plantar fasciitis, including surgery, physical therapy, prescription medication and other more traditional methods of treatment. If you’re like most people, though, you probably don’t want to take medication or endure surgery. You also don’t want to spend your hard-earned money on treatments that may not work. This is why some doctors recommend doing exercises instead. Doing exercises to strengthen your arch and strengthen the ligaments surrounding the heel may be just the treatment you need.
The reason why it works for many people, though, is because stretching the metatarsals actually rebuilds them. The stretching takes place at the point where the strongest ligament is located. With poor mechanics in the foot and with poor foot biomechanics, most people have damage in their metatarsal joints. You may have heard the term; “pronation”. Well, the way you turn your foot this way or that way can actually cause damage.
This inability to turn the foot in the proper way can result in tight and dysfunctional metatarsal joints. This can result in plantar fasciitis and inflammation. So, when you increase the strength of the metatarsal joints, you strengthen the plantar fascia, too.
The next question is, “Do metatarsal pads help correct the structural imbalances that cause your pain?”. Again, most doctors will say no, since there is a need to fix the structural imbalances. So, instead of using inserts or insoles that actually go inside your shoes, you may want to try stretching the metatarsal area. In fact, there are even some foot exercises you can use.
Some doctors recommend special inserts that go under the metatarsal itself. So, instead of having the insert inserted under the arch, you can stretch it out. That may help, as well. It’s a simple exercise that has been suggested to help with the problem. You don’t have to worry about painful inserts and sutures either.
The final question is, “Do metatarsal pads cause injury?” Most doctors and specialists agree that if you use a strap for support, it doesn’t cause any injury. The strap just gives a little bit of support, which keeps the bones in the foot aligned properly. So, the strap isn’t a cause of pain, either. But, if you try to over-use the metatarsal pads, you could cause some irritation and inflammation.
If you suffer from plantar fasciitis, you probably already know how inconvenient it can be. It causes you to be unable to walk or stand for long periods of time. Also, if you don’t pay close attention to the condition, it can lead to complications like fractures. So, you need to ask yourself if your question about do metatarsal pads help plantar fasciitis? Obviously, yes.
First of all, if you have plantar fasciitis, the most likely cause is a lack of proper support. The area will be tender and you may have some pain. But, when you wear supportive footwear, it actually reduces the amount of tension that’s applied to the plantar fascia. You may also notice that your pain gets better. So, it makes sense to wear shoes that provide adequate support.
Second, the way that metatarsal pads help relieve your pain will depend on how much you wear. If you only wear one pair per foot, it will probably take care of your problem. On the other hand, if you wear two or more metatarsals, they’ll help relieve the stress on the plantar fascia. In fact, you may notice a marked improvement in your symptoms within a week. Obviously, this won’t work for everybody, but it’s worth a try.
Hopefully, the question “Do metatarsal pads help with plantar fasciitis?” is one that will help you make an informed decision about wearing them. It’s an important one.