How to Find the Best Shoes at the Best Price
Wearing properly fitting, well-made shoes is one of the best things you can to do recover from or prevent plantar fasciitis.
But speciality orthopedic shoes are heavy, come in limited styles, and are pretty pricey, right?
Right. But that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice comfort, style, or your bank account to get a steal of a deal on comfortable, supportive, stylish shoes!
How can you find the best shoes for plantar fasciitis at the best price–without making sacrifices?
We’ll show you!
Add Heel Seats Instead of Buying Orthopedic Shoes
Instead of the limiting style choices (and typically expensive!) orthopedic shoes, did you know that you can turn almost any pair of shoes into a plantar-fasciitis-defying machine? It’s true! Simply add Heel Seats. Find the right shoe at the right price in the right style (keep reading for tips on how to find shoes at a steal!) and just slip in light, comfortable Heel Seats. Not only do they cost less than a couple cups of coffee–they’re clinically proven to heal plantar fasciitis, and they’ll always match your sense of style. Now that you’ve got the orthopedic angle covered, how can you find those perfect shoes at the right price?Shop Seasonally for the Best Prices
One of the hottest tips for finding cheap name brand shoes is shopping at the end of each season. It’s not an exercise in instant gratification, but it is a great way to snag some of the best deals on shoes. Look for amazing deals on summer flats right as back to school shopping kicks into gear. Find the best deals on boots in the springtime. Sneakers can often be found at the best prices during the coldest months of the year, when fewer people are out running–think December through February.
Shop Outlet Stores for Discounted Name-Brand Shoes
Outlet stores are a terrific place to find deep discounts on your favorite shoe brands. It might be a slight drive from town, but you’ll often find 50% to 70% discounts on many different top brands and styles in one place. Best of all, shop seasonally at an outlet store! Visit the outlets to shop for shoes in the “off season” for the particular shoe you’re after, and you’re likely to score an even better deal.
Keep in mind that many times manufacturer’s coupons can be added on top of store discounts. For instance, if the outlet store is offering a 50% discount, but you found an additional 10% coupon online for the brand you’re eyeing, the discounts can often be combined–depending on the store. It never hurts to ask!
Compare Deals Online To Get the Lowest Price
Find a pair of shoes you love but aren’t in your budget? Take to the interwebs! Once you know that a pair of shoes fits perfectly, it’s often possible to find a better deal online. Try overstock.com, Ebay, and Amazon to see if you can find a better price. You might be surprised to see just how much you can save by shopping around–from the palm of your hand.A Few More Tips
Remember, the shoes you buy aren’t really a great deal unless they fit perfectly and support your heel, ankle, and foot. It’s a good idea to try shoes on toward the end of the day, when your feet are likely to be most swollen, so you don’t buy shoes that are too small for you. When you try the shoes on, pay extra attention to the heel; it should be firm, thick, and cushioned. Steer clear of thin-soled shoes with very little support. Then simply add your Heel Seats and walk tall knowing you scored a fantastic deal that not only looks fabulous but supports your feet! |
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Are You Duck Footed? All About Out-Toeing
Are you worried that your walk may have become more of a waddle?
If your feet turn outward while you walk, there’s a high likelihood that you are duck footed–or, more technically, that you are “out-toeing” when you walk. You’ve probably seen children who have recently begun walking display this duck footed gait, since the hips naturally turn outward in babies.
While the duck waddle is adorable in children (most of whom outgrow the trait naturally as they develop!), it’s not the most glamorous way to walk for adults–and it can lead to problems if left untreated.
What should you know about duck feet, and what can you do about them?
Read on!
All About Out-Toeing
For the most part, there’s no need to be alarmed if you notice that your feet are turning slightly outward as you walk. While the cause of duck feet can be hereditary in some cases or a rare holdover from childhood, for most people this abnormal gait develops as a compensation for an injury, lack of muscle strength in key areas of the foot and legs, or poor posture.
That doesn’t mean your should ignore over-toeing, however! If left unaddressed, this walking abnormality can lead to knee and back pain, ankle injuries, and flat feet. In other words, being duck footed can put a lot of additional stress surrounding joints and ligaments or set the stage for injury, including plantar fasciitis due to the additional strain on the fascia.
Treatments for Duck Feet Walk
Treating out-toeing and its primary symptom of abnormal gait is, luckily, quite simple! For many people, simply paying more attention to the way their feet fall as they walk can make a significant impact. You’ll also want to take notice of the way you position your feet when resting or standing–since this has an impact on duck feet too! Make a concerted effort to keep your feet facing forward (instead of turning outward or inward) while you walk, stand, or rest to help your muscles remember the correct alignment!
In addition to simply paying more attention, the following options can take the waddle right out of your walk!
Orthotic Inserts:
One of the best ways you can help retrain your muscles and regain a normal gait is to use inexpensive orthotic inserts in your shoes. These inserts help stabilize the heel and keep your foot aligned rather than turning outward while you walk. If your duck feet stem from an injury or lack of muscle strength, orthotics can also provide additional support and comfort when walking–not to mention heading off or healing plantar fasciitis caused by a flattening arch!
Stretching:
Spending 20 minutes each day on a few simple stretches can limber up muscles and avoid soreness or muscle stress as you work to change your gait. The same foot and leg stretches used to treat plantar fasciitis can help improve your duck feet walk and put you on the path to a realigned gait.
Massage:
As you work to get your muscles back in line, you may experience some soreness or mild muscle discomfort. Massage and self myofascial release can be a great way to relax tight muscles and address soreness that stems from changing your gait.
If you’ve noticed a waddle in your walk, there’s no need to fear. Simply noticing the problem and then monitoring your gait and posture carefully can make a world of difference! Add slip-in orthotics for support and stability, plus a massage for any soreness if needed, and you’ll be well on your way to correcting your gait. By incorporating these simple changes, you’ll be striding straight in no time!
Do Orthotics Hurt or Help Knee Pain?
Knee pain can be frustrating, debilitating, and confusing.
What helps and what hurts? How do orthotics fit into the equation?
Some anecdotal claims insist that orthotics might make knee pain worse–and that’s the last thing you want to happen. Others insist that orthotics can be a lifesaver.
What’s the truth about the link between your feet and your knees? How much can orthotics help with knee pain–and can they ever hurt?
Let’s find out!
The Link Between the Foot and Knee
Your feet and knees are linked literally–it should come as no surprise that one affects the other when it comes to pain! The amount of impact generated when you walk, the way your feet are aligned, and the way that force is distributed as you take each step has a significant impact not only on your feet and heels themselves, but on your knees!
Orthotics are a tried and true way to drastically improve foot pain–here’s what you need to know about the connection between orthotics and knee pain!
Benefits of Using Orthotics for Knee Pain
Shock Absorption:
Knee pain can be caused or made much worse by the amount of force generated to your joints (especially your knees!) each time you take a step. Orthotics can help distribute that force more evenly throughout the foot and ankle, which in turn distributes force more evenly to your knees.
Cushioning:
In the same vein, orthotics can provide cushioning to your feet and heels, which reduces the amount of impact your knees will feel when you walk or run.
Alignment:
Orthotics can help improve alignment of the foot and ankle, which in turn improves alignment of the knees and creates a healthier gait. Supination or overpronation (in which the foot turns too far inward or outward) can mean that undue stress and impact are absorbed by the feet–which is in turn absorbed by your knees! Orthotics help correct this problem.
Cautions When Using Orthotics for Knee Pain
Break Them in:
Wearing orthotics can feel slightly strange at first. It’s important to give yourself time to break your orthotics in–wearing them by increasing amounts of time over the space of about a week until you’re wearing them full time.
Practice Holistic Healing:
Orthotics should be used in conjunction with other treatments for your knees. Using orthotics alone while continuing practices that make your knee pain worse won’t help nearly as much. Be sure to include plenty of rest, stretching, and icing as recommended by your doctor.
Get the Best Bang for Your Dollar:
Orthotics are often incredibly heavy–and they can get expensive! Slip-in Heel Seats are one of the most popular choices for effective (and cost-effective) orthotics.
Can I Develop Knee Pain from Orthotics?
You may have seen threads on the internet or heard questions about whether orthotics can somehow worsen knee pain. The short answer is no. When orthotics are worn properly, studies have found that people suffering from knee pain reported significantly reduced levels of pain after wearing orthotics. The Framingham study group found that there’s a particular connection between knee pain relief and orthotics when flat feet were involved, perhaps because of the increased impact flat-footers generate when walking without orthotics.
As always, make sure you introduce orthotics into your life gradually instead of all at once (over the period of about a week) and ensure they fit correctly and snugly against the back of your shoe.
If you suffer from knee pain, orthotics can be a great way to start your healing from the ground up!
27 Fun Facts and Statistics About Plantar Fasciitis
If you suffer from Plantar Fasciitis, you might not think there’s much fun to be had when it comes from this painful condition.
We couldn’t agree more–but we still hope these interesting, surprising facts about Plantar Fasciitis make you smile, or at the very least give you a great addition to the conversation next time someone asks how your heels are feeling!
1. Problems with dorsiflexion
People with Plantar Fasciitis also typically have trouble with something known as dorsiflexion. That’s the movement in which the foot is brought toward the shin.
2. One in ten will struggle with plantar fasciitis
Just about 10% of the population will suffer from Plantar Fasciitis at some point during their lifetime. That’s a lot of people!
3. Orthotic inserts with Fascia Bar Technology are twice as effective as Dr. Scholls.
Not all orthotics are created equal! Fascia Bar technology is the difference between orthotic shoe inserts that specifically target plantar fasciitis, and inserts that simply provide cushioning – a clinical study even confirmed it!
Click here to get patented and proven Fascia-Bar inserts!
4. Age is a factor in plantar fasciitis
The age group most likely to be struck by Plantar Fasciitis is those between 40-60 years of age. In part, that’s because the tissue in the foot starts losing elasticity as we age!
5. Weight can also be a factor in heel pain!
In fact, obesity is a factor in 70% of plantar fasciitis cases. In some cases, gaining weight quickly is a given, and even healthy (for example, pregnancy). However, according to a paper published by Dr. Rosenbaum in Medical Clinics of North America in other situations it’s important, if at all possible, to maintain a healthy weight in order to keep healthy feet.
6. Plantar fasciitis often heals without medical intervention
An incredible 90% of cases involving Plantar Fasciitis are self-limiting. Meaning, with 6 months of conservative treatment (including stretching, icing, and the use of orthotic inserts) the condition will greatly improve or be fully resolved!
7. In fact, stretching alone can improve or eliminate heel pain!
In a study published in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, heel pain was either eliminated or much improved at eight weeks in 52% of patients who were treated with an exercise program to stretch the plantar fascia. Stretching to relieve symptoms of plantar fasciitis doesn’t work immediately–but for many people it does work in the long-term. Incorporate stretching into your daily routine for best results.
8. Plantar fasciitis misdiagnosis is common
Plantar Fasciitis isn’t always the culprit when it comes to heel and foot pain. If your pain isn’t going away, or if insoles and stretching make it worse, you might not have plantar fasciitis. Ligament tears and plantar fibromas are two of the leading conditions that masquerade as plantar fasciitis, or if you’re experiencing a lot of foot pain during the night, you may have Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome.
9. The plantar fascia ligament absorbs an astounding amount of force
It’s incredible to think about, but during an average day, the total impact your feet absorb is equal to the weight borne by a fully loaded cement truck! It’s no surprise that this strain can wreak havoc on the plantar fascia if your arch isn’t properly supported!
10. The feet contain a quarter of all the bones in your body!
Here’s a fun fact about plantar fasciitis: A full quarter of the bones in your body are located in your feet–52 to be exact! When those bones are out of alignment, havoc can ensue, and plantar fasciitis is likely!
11. Women are more likely to experience plantar fasciitis
Did you know that the average woman walks 3 miles more every day than the average man? That might be why women are four times as likely to experience foot problems than men–or it could be the fact that 9 out of 10 women regularly wear shoes that are too small! Time to ditch the stilettos and grab a pair of orthotics, ladies!
12. One in five has high arches – which contributes to plantar fasciitis
Just about 20 percent of the population in the United States has high arches–a leading contributor to Plantar Fasciitis if not properly supported!
13. Sometimes supportive shoes are all it takes to remedy plantar fasciitis
In one study, 14% of patients noticed an improvement in their plantar fasciitis symptoms simply by wearing more supportive footwear. Footwear is one of the most important aspects of supporting your heel and arch! Good footwear means better impact absorption, better cushioning, and less heel movement.
14. Heel Spurs are found in about 50% of plantar fasciitis cases
Contrary to common belief, heel spurs are caused by plantar fasciitis–not the other way around! Heel spurs develop in response to trauma of the plantar fascia, which can ultimately cause a great deal of pain when walking. Treating plantar fasciitis early is the key to avoiding heel spurs.
15. One in four has flat feet – also a factor in plantar fasciitis
On the other end of the spectrum, 60 million Americans (about 25% of the population in the United States) have flat feet–another major red flag for Plantar Fasciitis. Neither flat feet nor high arches absorb impact as well as balanced arches, and cause extra strain and trauma to the fascia.
16. Custom orthotics cost 10x as much Heel Seats or more
Custom orthotics cost between $200-$800 per pair–as compared to the cost of Heel Seats at $24.95 per pair. Many physicians agree that custom orthotics are overprescribed and very expensive.
17. Custom orthotics are ineffective for plantar fasciitis pain anyway!
A breakthrough study found that after three months, custom orthoses only improved pain 11% as compared to placebo orthotics. Going custom can be incredibly expensive–and might not be worth the extra money!
18. Night splints improve plantar fasciitis pain for up to 80% of people
Several studies have shown that use of night splints results in improvement for 80% of patients. Additional studies find that night splints are especially helpful for individuals whose symptoms have been present for more than 12 months. Night splints are a terrific option for speeding healing, especially if you aren’t seeing results as quickly as you hoped. They can particularly help with morning pain, one of the hallmarks of plantar fasciitis.
19. Combining orthotics and night splints may provide even better results
In one study, the combination of foot orthosis and an adjustable dorsiflexion night splint resulted in a 47% decrease in pain. If just one solution for your plantar fasciitis pain isn’t working, try combining treatments with orthotics and a night splint.
20. Runners are more likely to have plantar fasciitis
You’ve probably heard about the connection between running and Plantar Fasciitis. Well, here’s why! The impact your feet absorb when you run can be as much as four times your bodyweight!
In fact, Plantar fasciitis has been reported to account for about 10% of all injuries that occur in connection with running. Wearing proper footwear, supporting your feet with orthotics, and resting as needed is key.
21. Sometimes all it takes is standing still to develop heel pain
Ever wondered why standing all day for work can feel so much more tiring than walking, even though you haven’t gone anywhere? It’s not all in your head! Standing in place is much more conducive to the development of plantar fasciitis, since strain is being placed on a few muscles over a long period of time, rather than spread over numerous muscles. Standing for long periods of time can put you on the fast-track to developing Plantar Fasciitis.
22. Plantar fasciitis information is underserved
Interestingly enough, there’s more websites out there dedicated to foot fetishes than to plantar fasciitis!
23. Professional athletes and celebrities have plantar fasciitis too
Celebrities’ feet are just as susceptible to Plantar Fasciitis as yours are! In some cases more so, when it comes to professional athletes, whose feet take quite the beating. A-list celebrities who have suffered from Plantar Fasciitis include Paris Hilton, Angelina Jolie, Albert Pujols, Pau Gasol, Peyton Manning, Tim Duncan, and Shaquille O’Neal.
24. Plantar fasciitis is cause for one million doctor visits per year
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics, the pain from plantar fasciitis drives a huge number of people to the doctor’s office annually. That’s no small matter! For many of these cases, symptoms could be resolved with at-home treatments like stretching, icing, and orthotic inserts.
25. Surgery IS the answer for a small number of people
Favorable outcomes were reported in more than 75% of patients who underwent surgery in one study. While surgery should be used as a last resort because of its expense, risks, and the down time involved, it’s a very effective last resort if needed!
26. The cost of plantar fasciitis surgery can reach $10,000 or more
Not only is surgery incredibly expensive, it also involves a lot of physical therapy and down time–and should be a last resort.
27. Plantar fasciitis is expensive!
The yearly cost to treat Plantar Fasciitis in the United States is estimated at $284 million dollars–a lot of it spent on unnecessary surgeries and medical interventions!
So now you know a few lesser-known facts about Plantar Fasciitis!
But remember, the most important thing you should know when it comes to dealing with foot pain is how to find relief. And as you learned above, 90% of cases can be treated without invasive, expensive–and painful–treatments.
Give cost-effective, proven Fascia Bar technology a try today, or read 20 more foot facts you probably don’t know.
Everything You Need to Know About Foot Orthotics
Dealing with foot or heel pain is difficult. Finding information about your options for healing and pain relief shouldn’t be!
At Heel That Pain, we live and breathe orthotics. But we know that many of our customers, especially those who are just learning about plantar fasciitis or heel spurs for the first time, have a lot of questions about what orthotics are, how they can help plantar fasciitis, how to choose the right option, and when it’s time to consider orthotics.
So, without further ado, here’s everything you ever wanted to know about orthotics!
What Are Foot Orthotics?
Put simply, orthotics are non-prescription inserts designed to sit inside your shoe and support your heel and feet. They can provide support, cushioning, and help prevent or relieve symptoms from a variety of disorders like plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, shin splints, knee pain, and tendonitis.
Many people choose slip-in orthotics as an alternative to orthotic shoes. Not only are orthotic shoes quite expensive, but they’re often heavy and come in limited style options.
Plantar Fasciitis and Orthotics
One of the most common reasons people consider foot orthotics is plantar fasciitis. This condition, which is caused by stress, lack of support, and damage to the plantar fascia (and the arch of your foot) and can make walking and other activities very painful.
Orthotics can be an important part of the equation in healing, since they provide additional support by stabilizing the heel, supporting the arch of your foot, absorbing shock, reducing the pressure to your heel, cushioning inflamed and stressed ligaments in your foot, and allowing you to heal.
When to Consider Orthotics
All too often, people endure pain far longer than they should–especially in the beginning, if the pain is happening intermittently or “isn’t too bad.” However, taking charge of your health and addressing these symptoms early is critical to keep symptoms from getting worse, and to reduce the amount of time it takes to heal. You should also be aware that when you’re dealing with chronic foot or heel pain, you may start to notice pain in your hips, back, or neck over time, as your body attempts to compensate for the pain you’re feeling in your feet.
It’s also a good time to consider orthotics if you haven’t dealt with pain yet but you love participating in high-impact sports like running, basketball, or football. If you’ve experienced sudden weight gain (especially from pregnancy) and your feet are dealing with extra stress and impact, orthotics are a great choice.
Whether you’ve just recently noticed pain in your heels or feet, or you’ve been dealing with chronic pain from plantar fasciitis, now is the right time to start healing or head off symptoms from developing.
Which Orthotic Inserts Are Right for You?
You have a lot of choices when it comes to orthotics. All orthotics at Heel that Pain include the patented Fascia Bar–a highly effective support system that is so unique, it was the first shoe insert awarded a patent in the space of 10 years. Not to mention that a double-blind clinical study conducted by the University of Iowa found that Fascia-Bar technology is twice as effective as the treatment method offered by a comparable leading brand orthotic!
But which type of orthotic is right for you?
Heel Seats: This is your classic orthotic insert. It uses acupressure to relieve pain while supporting your foot. If you have average arches (not especially high or low), this is the insert for you.
Gel Heel Seats: This insert is similar to the classic Heel Seat, except it’s made out of gel. If you have extra sensitive feet, it’s a great choice.
Full Length Heel Seats With Arch Support: Do you have high arches? These full-length inserts are designed especially for you and support high arches. Full Length Heel Seats with Arch Support are also great if you experience most of your pain in the arch of the foot.
Orthotics for Heel Spurs
Heel spurs often develop in response to a damaged or flattened arch. These small, sharp calcium deposits on the heel bone are the body’s attempt to prop up the damaged fascia. As heel spurs grow, they may protrude into the fatty pad of the heel, causing intense pain and damage.
Heel Spur Orthotics work by cushioning, supporting, lifting, and physically re-stretching the plantar fascia ligament while applying targeted acupressure to stop pain. They also structurally support the heel bone, thicken the fatty pad of the heel, and prevent the arch from collapsing under the impact from walking, running, and jumping. Heel spur inserts have been clinically proven to reduce pain and treat heel spurs, often eliminating the need for costly and painful medical interventions.
Keep in mind that not all Heel Spur Orthotics are created equal. The best insoles for heel spurs are cost effective, durable, and specifically designed to target both the symptoms and the causes of heel spurs. Look for thick (rather than flimsy) inserts for heel spurs that don’t collapse or fold easily. And research carefully to separate marketing lingo from clinically effective features!
How to Wear Orthotics
The first thing you should know about slip-in orthotics is that you should wear them over the original insoles of your shoes (some custom orthotics require you to remove the insoles of your shoes). Then simply slip in the orthotics, so they rest snugly against the back of your shoe.
The second thing you should know about wearing orthotics is that your shoes still matter! Make sure the shoes you’re wearing have a cushioned sole and that your heel isn’t sliding around. Bad shoes + good orthotics isn’t a good combo!
The third thing you should know about wearing foot orthotics is that it might take you a little time to adjust. Break them in gradually, wearing them for a couple of hours the first day, a few more the second day, and so on until you’re wearing them full time after about a week.
How Fast Do Orthotics Work?
The time it takes for your orthotics to begin working will depend on the type you purchase as well as the unique anatomy of your foot. With Heel That Pain products many people have an immediate reduction in heel pain from the moment they begin using them. However, others may feel a gradual decrease in pain, taking as long as a month.
If you have been using Heel Seats for more than a month and do not notice an improvement in heel pain, contact Customer Support – our specialists can help identify potential sizing issues, or if there is another product that might be more effective.
Orthotics: A Step in the Right Direction
At Heel That Pain, our goal is to get you back on your feet–literally. We’re so sure our slip-in orthotics will make a world of difference in your symptoms from plantar fasciitis, we offer a money-back guarantee. (You can read happy reviews from customers like you here!)
There are a few things you should know about orthotics, but at the end of the day the most important thing you should know is that they’re a cost-effective, simple way to help you live a happier, comfortable life!
