If you’re one of the many Americans who end each day wishing your arches weren’t so achy, for what it’s worth, you’re not alone. Actually, 8 out of 10 Americans are in the same boat. That, unfortunately, doesn’t make your feet feel any better. But can plantar fasciitis socks really make a difference? We explore that question.
Why do your foot arches hurt?
The short answer is there is not just one reason for sore arches. There are many. However, with a little sleuthing (and help from your podiatrist), you can likely identify and begin to tame the beast that is your sore feet, provide cushioning, and boost arch support.
Here are the most common conditions that can cause arch pain:
Plantar fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis, an inflammation of the plantar fascia ligament connecting the heel to the front of the foot, usually leads to foot pain. Pain is typically focused on the arch, Achilles tendon, and heel.
Most often caused by overuse or injury, this condition is noted for morning pain upon arising. However, foot pain or heel pain can also occur after standing on your feet for extended periods of time.
Several factors can contribute to plantar fasciitis: the condition is most common in people between 40 and 60, take part in activities that place stress on the heel such as long-distance running, are overweight, and have a job that causes them to be on their feet for long periods of time.
Low arches
Also known as flat feet or pes planus, describes arches that come close to touching the ground. This condition occurs when the tendons in the sole of the foot do not pull together correctly. Causes for flat feet include stretched or torn tendons, nerve abnormalities, rheumatoid arthritis, and diabetes.
High arches
Also known as cavus foot, put pressure on the balls and heels of the feet. This can lead to occasional discomfort or permanent damage. Causes for high arches include polio, stroke, and spinal cord tumors.
Over-pronation
Over-pronation occurs when the bones in the middle of the foot turn inward, causing your arches to flatten. This puts pressure on the knees and back and often causes shin splints.
Under-pronation (also known as supination)
Under pronation happens when the ankle does not turn inward enough. This causes your body weight to be distributed to the outside of the foot. Pain from this condition can extend up the lower leg to the calf muscles and cause knee and back pain.
Posterior tibial tendon dysfunction (PTTD)
Posterior tibial tendon dysfunction occurs when the tendon that joins the calf muscle with the bones on the inner foot is torn. This condition causes fallen arches.
What can be done to increase arch support and relieve foot pain?
Though this article is supposed to answer the question of whether socks can help with foot pain (we will get to that in a moment), let’s review some of the most effective ways we treat the before mentioned painful foot conditions. They include:
Custom orthotic shoe inserts
Custom orthotics are insoles made just for your feet with your foot issues in mind. They can be extremely helpful and something that no sock will ever be better than. Though they are not inexpensive, many insurance plans cover their cost or help pay for them, which is a wonderful thing.
Physical Therapy
Foot pain is caused by a myriad of reasons, but often physical therapy can dramatically reduce your pain, if not resolve it. With foot strengthening exercises, massage, stretching, and other tricks that our physical therapists have at their disposal, you might think they are miracle workers.
Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications
These medicines, such as ibuprofen and Aleve, offer temporary pain relief, though they are not a solution to the problem. Remember always to have food in your belly when taking any of these anti-inflammatories, as they can lead to intestinal bleeding problems. Always take them with great caution.
Wear stiff-soled shoes
Shoes whose soles are not very “bendy” (the absolute opposite of toeless flip-flops, for example) offer your foot a consistent firm platform that gives you the support you need and can help minimize several forms of foot pain and increase blood flow.
Use night splints
Night splints are worn while you sleep and hold your feet at a 90-degree angle. Essentially, night splints stretch the plantar fascia so it does not shorten while you are asleep.
Supportive running shoes
The shoe industry has made incredible strides in the making of running shoes. It pays to get shoes that are right for your feet (not a snug fit), and avoid orthopedic problems such as tendonitis.
Wear light compression sleeve
A compression foot sleeve can reduce swelling, heel spurs, improve circulation, and relieve foot pain. The graduated compression pulls the blood away from the feet and channels it to the heart. Compression sleeves are also helpful for people with diabetic circulation problems.
Ankle mobility exercises
Dorsiflexion, when you draw your toes back toward your shins, improves the flexibility of the calf muscles and ankles, thus improving plantar fasciitis pain.
Enough already! Can plantar fasciitis socks relieve foot pain?
YES! Thanks to the board-certified podiatrist and foot and ankle expert, Dr. Bob. Baravarian, who founded the University Foot and Ankle Institute is also the inventor of the patented designer ArchTek® Socks antibacterial socks. These socks allow you to live your life without pain in the arch of the foot, ball of your foot, or heel bone. Unlike regular socks, these stretchy, breathable socks for plantar fascia pain actually grasp your foot’s arch and support the band of tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot.
When Dr. Baravarian began researching the so-called perfect sock, he spent five years filing various patents for emerging technology. He and his partner, fashion entrepreneur Eddie Kohan, even created a new manufacturing paradigm to produce these stylish and easy-to-wear foot pain socks.
Out of their passion for research and development came the ArchTek 5-layer weave system for arch construction for these compression socks for foot pain and ankle support. The result: a durable, one-of-a-kind knit sock that receives stellar scores on repeated stress tests and for durability.
ArchTek socks are simply the best plantar fasciitis socks
But ArchTek socks don’t just help plantar fasciitis suffers, they also help those with:
- Foot Pain
- Lower Back (Lumbar Spine) Pain
- Plantar fasciitis pain
- Hip Pain
- Knee Pain
- Shoulder Pain
- Sprains
- Heel pain relief
- Varicose veins
- Edema
What are some of the special features of ArchTek socks?
ArchTek fashion socks increase blood circulation and prevent swelling and discomfort – a common cause of foot pain. Designed for form-fitting leg compression, these compression socks for foot pain gently massage your feet to reduce weariness.
Their special moisture wicking fabric limits bacteria, the main odor-causing offender. In addition to promoting anti-odor, the bacteria can ruin material over time. ArchTek fashion socks are made to last.
From your heel and arch the ball of your foot, our Y-Strap technology is a built-in compression weave that enhances your foot structure so you can maintain your natural energy.
Your toes can finally breathe because ArchTek removed the toe-cap seam for comfort and function. Without a toe cap, your toes get fresh air that reduces perspiration.
To say that wearing scientifically developed ArchTek can be your foot pain salvation would probably be a little over the top. No matter how great these socks are (and they really are) they will not fix a serious foot and ankle condition. You should never ignore serious foot pain and always seek out the help of a top-notch foot and ankle specialist for treatment.
But as a tool in your foot care arsenal to help you avoid foot problems or treat the pain we all experience from being on our feet day in and day out.
Remember, these aren’t ordinary support socks and not the ugly support sock that your grandparents used to wear. ArchTek socks are seriously fashionable footwear developed by an accomplished foot and ankle expert to improve his own aching feet.
We believe you will find them to be very effective as well as they truly are the best socks for foot pain.
Explore ArchTek socks and use the discount code “ufai20” for a 20% savings, just for our blog’s readers.
About University Foot and Ankle Institute
If you’re experiencing foot pain or other foot problems, we’re here to help. Our nationally recognized foot and ankle doctors offer the most advanced foot care and the highest success rates in the nation. We are leaders in the research and treatment of all foot and ankle conditions.
At University Foot and Ankle Institute, we take our patients’ safety seriously. Our facility’s Covid-19 patient safety procedures exceed all CDC recommendations. Masks are required in our institutes at all times.
For more information or to schedule a consultation in the greater Los Angeles area, please call (877) 736-6001 or make an appointment now.
University Foot and Ankle Institute is conveniently located throughout Southern California and the Los Angeles area as our foot doctors are available at locations in or near Santa Monica (on Wilshire Blvd.), Beverly Hills, West Los Angeles, Manhattan Beach, Northridge, Downtown Los Angeles, Westlake Village, Granada Hills, and Valencia California, to name a few.
When not tending to patients at University Foot and Ankle Institute, Dr. Jafary utilizes his surgical expertise assisting those less fortunate. As a member of the Yucatan Crippled Children Foundation, he has traveled to Mexico several times and performed hundreds of limb correction surgeries on children with disabling foot and ankle disorders. Dr. Jafary also participates in Podiatry Overseas, which takes him to underserved countries to treat patients with lower extremity deformities.
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