Conquer Plantar Fasciitis: Switch from Flats to Sneakers
Sophia is a nurse who works in a hospital. Because her home is close to her workplace, she walks to and from work every day. Due to her busy schedule at the hospital, Sophia usually wears lightweight flat shoes. These shoes expose almost the entire top of her foot, covering only the toes, heels, and soles. Sophia mentions that these shoes are not only lightweight and stylish but also versatile. Her colleagues recall that they almost always see her wearing flat shoes.
In September of this year, Sophia suddenly felt a faint pain in her feet while walking, which subsided when she rested. Initially, she thought it was just due to being overworked, so she ignored it. Unexpectedly, a week later, the pain not only persisted but intensified, sometimes making it extremely difficult for her to move. She had no choice but to seek treatment in the rehabilitation department.
In the consultation room, the doctor immediately identified Sophia's problem and quickly asked her to take off her flat shoes. It turned out that Sophia had flat arches and needed to walk frequently. Wearing slip-on flat shoes for a long time, her feet lacked grip, forcing her plantar fascia to remain in a state of constant tension, leading to plantar fasciitis. The doctor advised Sophia to switch to well-fitting sneakers that provide adequate cushioning and good arch and heel support.
The doctor explained that with Sophia's slightly collapsed arches and frequent walking, wearing such slip-on flat shoes long-term doesn't provide proper foot support. This forces her to unconsciously grip the shoe soles more tightly with her toes, keeping the plantar fascia in a state of prolonged tension, which can lead to tendon fatigue. Coupled with Sophia's frequent walking, which exceeds her foot's endurance limit, this ultimately triggered plantar fasciitis.
The most common symptom of plantar fasciitis is deep pain in the heel and sole, with the tender spot often near the heel on the sole. Sometimes the pain is severe and persistent. The pain is most noticeable in the morning and can lessen after walking for a while.
The doctor pointed out that patients with plantar fasciitis are advised not to wear slippers, flip-flops, or flat shoes often. Instead, the doctor recommends that plantar fasciitis patients wear sneakers with good sole and arch support. Sneakers are specifically designed and manufactured according to the movement characteristics of people's feet. They are generally soft and elastic, providing some cushioning. They can fully envelop the foot, effectively protecting it during long periods of activity.