What is Plantar Fasciitis and What Can Socks Do About It?
Plantar fasciitis is a disorder that can result in pain around the heel or bottom of the foot. Those suffering from this condition usually feel the strongest amounts of pain first thing in the morning, or after sitting for a longer period of time due to poor blood supply to the foot and heel area. The causes surrounding this condition are not entirely clear, but it's a large enough problem to talk about, with 3-6% of people experiencing plantar fasciitis at any given time.
Plantar fasciitis can happen to anyone, but it is most common in athletes and active older adults. A lack of arch support or over-exertion can cause stress on the plantar fascia (also known as the band of ligaments joining the heel bone to the toes), creating microtears in the soft tissue of the foot.
If you are worried you may have plantar fasciitis or if you are experiencing heel pain, make sure to speak with your healthcare provider for a diagnosis of your symptoms and next steps regarding treatment.
The Benefits of Plantar Fasciitis Socks
You may have heard about plantar fasciitis socks, but how exactly do they work? Using compression for plantar fasciitis helps alleviate some of the pain associated with this condition. While there is not a major body of scientific evidence backing this, many users of compression swear by this method of pain relief.
Reduces Painful Swelling
Plantar fasciitis causes pooling of blood in the feet and heels, leading to swelling and irritation. By using gradual compression to target various zones of the heel and bottom of the foot, plantar fasciitis compression socks encourage healthy circulation through the legs to keep blood from settling where it shouldn’t.
Provides Much Needed Arch Support
Arch support isn’t something that should be overlooked for those afflicted by plantar fasciitis. Compression socks also feature extra padding along the foot for added arch support and reduced impact vibration, making movement easier and less uncomfortable.
Stretches Affected Muscles
The plantar fascia is the flat band of ligaments that connects the heel bone to the toes, and supports the arch of your foot. Another benefit of using plantar fasciitis compressions socks is that they apply pressure and stretch your plantar fascia muscle even while you are sitting down, and can even be used at night while sleeping to prevent pain in the morning.
Before selecting any treatment method, make sure you talk to a qualified health professional and do your own research. Ask your doctor if compression socks for plantar fasciitis could be a helpful method to manage your symptoms.
