Walk Without Pain is dedicated to sharing information about solutions to common foot,leg and back pain issues. All content published in this blog is solely the opinion of the author(s), and is not intended to be a substitute for sound medical advice. If you are experiencing nagging, chronic or severe pain, please visit the appropriate medical professional for your issue.
Showing posts with label plantar fasciitis. Show all posts
Showing posts with label plantar fasciitis. Show all posts
Our feet are as unique we are. We inherit the shape and characteristics of our feet, just like we inherit the shape of our cheekbones, the color of our eyes and the shape of our nose. If your parents have flat feet, the odds are pretty good that you also have flat feet. There's also a pretty good likelihood that your children will develop flat feet as well.
Feet come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and in most cases there is nothing necessarily abnormal about the shape of our feet. But the shape of our feet has a definite impact in the relationship that our bodies have with the ground. High-arched feet travel differently than medium and low arched feet.
How our feet are shaped and how they travel has a direct impact on the health of our ankle, knee, hip and back joints.
How Our Foot Type Affects Our Gait
Have you ever wondered why some people walk with their feet pointed outward, while others walk with their feet pointed straight ahead? Why do some people walk pigeon-toed, while others waddle like the sheriff walking into the saloon? Why do some people make a lot of noise when they walk, while others barely make a sound? While any of these traits could be learned behaviors, it is also quite likely that the way they walk is dictated by the shape of their feet.
Here's a fun experiment. Stand up with your feet shoulder-width apart. Now roll your feet so that your weight is on the outside part of your feet. Next try walking with your feet pointed straight ahead. It's not very comfortable, is it? Now try rotating your hips and feet outward. Much more comfortable, isn't it? Higher arched feet tend to travel this way. Lower-arched feet travel differently. We quickly learn how to compensate how we walk to maintain a stable relationship with the ground and to be comfortable.
What Happens When We Develop Foot, Leg and Back Pain?
Since the way we walk depends on the shape of our feet, there are a number of ailments that we can develop over time. Flat feet tend to rotate the tibia and fibula (lower leg bones) internally, while higher arched feet tend to rotate the same bones externally. As those bones constantly rotate with each step, it can place added stress on the knee hip and back joints. Depending on our foot type, there can be an increased likelihood for developing common pathologies including plantar fasciitis, Morton's Neuromas, ankle sprains, shin splints, knee pain, IT Band syndrome, hip pain and back pain.
Can Orthotics Help if I Develop Foot, Leg and Back Pain?
It's quite possible. But first, if you are experiencing serious foot, leg or back pain, it is wise to visit a podiatrist or orthopedic specialist to make sure your issue is properly diagnosed. When it comes to orthotics you have many choices, but let me tell you - all orthotics are not the same. It's best to get orthotics that match your foot type, and are dispensed by someone who can evaluate and assess your needs properly.
Orthotics come in all shapes, sizes and price ranges. Some can be found at the grocery store, and are generally of low quality, inexpensive and break down quickly. There are some mid-range orthotics that can last up to a year that range around $60 in price. Custom orthotics are made from a cast impression of your feet and can range between $300-$600.
In my next blog post, I am going to talk about a discovery I came across last year. The QuadraStep System orthotics deliver for many people the benefits of a custom orthotic for half the price of customs.
Terox Footwear Review "What Made in America Feels Like" By Cam White
Winner: "Best Comfort Shoe for 2013" Walking.About.com Reader's Choice Awards
If you are looking for sandals that deliver exceptional comfort, an affordable price tag, and are made in America, then Terox may be exactly the brand you are looking for. These new arrivals offer the perfect blend of arch support, cushioning, rebound and elasticity to make them a year-round favorite for people seeking comfortable lifestyle footwear.
How do you engineer maximum comfort into footwear? First, you want the shoe to be anatomically designed to support the arches of your feet. Secondly, you want the shoe to cushion your body against the hard, repetitive impact of walking on concrete and hard surfaces. Finally, you want the shoes to return energy and "rebound" with each step you take. Terox delivers very nicely on all counts.
Terox footwear is the by-product of extensive product research and testing. Developing these shoes is in part an exercise in designing anatomically-friendly footwear, combined engineering the right material composition for maximum comfort. The shoe must be designed to support the arches and conform to the contours of the foot. They must also have the right formulation of elasto-polymers to strike the perfect balance between cushioning, rebound and elasticity. If the material is too soft, you gain cushioning, but you sacrifice support, stability and rebound. If the material is too firm, you sacrifice cushioning and elasticity. Striking the right balance of cushioning, rebound and elasticity is an exercise in trial-and-error and patience.
Terox Footwear Explained
This short video demonstrates the design properties of Terox flip flops.
The Challenge to Making Shoes in America
Designing Terox was a huge challenge, but next came an equally large challenge - getting them made in America. In an industry
dominated by Chinese and foreign-made products, it is nearly impossible
to get shoes manufactured cost-effectively in the United States. All of
the equipment needed to prototype, engineer and manufacture
injection-molded footwear resides overseas, primarily in China. By far the easiest thing to do was to make Terox footwear in Asia, but Terox first wanted to explore whether it was possible to make them in the United States.
Terox manufacturing station in Buford, Georgia
Terox shoes are an injection-molded product, but there were no plants with dedicated injection-molding equipment to manufacture this type of shoe on American soil. Undeterred, Terox found a manufacturing partner in Buford, Georgia willing to partner in the injection-molding plant equipment required to make the shoes. The highly sophisticated plant equipment arrived in Georgia in May, and the first U.S. made Terox sandals will be arriving to retailers in July, 2012 with a line flip flops in a few colors. Slides will be arriving in Fall 2012, and a wide variety of colors will be available in 2013. More at www.terox.com
My Experience Wearing Terox Flip Flops
Terox Flip-Flop Colors for 2012
When I received my first pair of sample Terox shoes several months ago, it was love at first step. The shoes fit perfectly, and the arch support was noticeable, but extremely pleasant. The cushioning of the shoe "mushed-out" the concrete and tile in my house. The slightly negative heel accentuated the arch support, and the raised texture of the foot bed prevented my feet from sliding around - even when my feet got wet. Terox are not rated as slip-resistant, so caution should be exercised when wearing them on wet, slick or slippery surfaces.
Perhaps what I enjoy most about wearing Terox is that they are the only flip-flop I enjoy wearing all day long. I normally hate anything between my toes, but I don't notice the toe-post in the Terox flip-flops. They are so soft and elastic, that it's like having gel between your toes. The fit is very secure on my foot, and I don't feel the need to "grip" with my toes to keep the sandals on. They feel like a natural extension of my feet. My low-arched feet tend to pronate, but the heel cup and medial arch support keeps my feet from caving inwards. The textured foot bed is quite pleasant, and gently massages my feet. They are extremely lightweight, waterproof and machine washable. It's a huge feeling at a very affordable price.
Uses for Terox Shoes
Here are a few uses for Terox shoes:
Terox will be excellent year-round comfort shoes. In colder weather, they can easily be worn as a house shoe in the kitchen. The arch support and cushioning could be extremely beneficial for those with heel and foot pain. A few people suffering from plantar fasciitis felt immediate pain relief as soon as they tried them on. A great shoe to have at your bedside.
In warmer months, Terox makes a great lifestyle shoe. Perfect for shopping, the pool, the beach, the boat and many other activities where wearing flip-flops is appropriate. If you are wading in streams the shoes do a great job of "mushing-out" rocks.
Terox will make for an excellent recovery shoe after strenuous exercise activities including running, cycling, volleyball, aerobics and any other high-impact activities. They will also make an excellent shower shoe at the gym. They are very lightweight, and fit easily into a gym bag.
Pricing, Sizes and Availability
Terox flip-flops will be arriving to retailers starting in early July 2012 in black, brown and pink (pictured above). Terox slides and a large selection of fashionable colors will be arriving to retail in Fall 2012 and January 2013. Pricing will be around $39.95. For more information about Terox, and where to find a retailer, please visit www.terox.com.
Conclusion
Terox footwear offers extreme comfort, an affordable price tag, and they're made in America. This brand offers everything a consumer could ask for at a price that doesn't hurt the wallet. Most cheap flip-flops are little more than a piece of foam with a thong. They offer little or no support, and are mass-produced overseas. Premium-quality flip-flop brands tend to fall in 2 categories: brands that offer arch support, or brands that are just "cushy". These brands normally retail between $60-$100, and are predominately manufactured in China.
Terox gives you the best of both worlds. The anatomical arch support is noticeable and pleasant, combined with luxurious cushioning that "mushes" the impact of walking on hard surfaces. Typically, the feeling that Terox provides to the body is only available in expensive, premium-quality shoes that normally retail in the hundreds of dollars. For just $39.95, premium comfort is available to almost anyone. The fact that they are also made in America, and supports U.S. job growth makes Terox a winner.
Future Terox Colors for 2013
A large selection of colors in both flip flops and slides will be available, starting in January 2013.
Follow Terox Footwear
On Facebook (Random Giveaways Offered for Likers) On Twitter: @TeroxFootwear
Retailer Inquiries
Terox is adding new retailers on a daily basis. If you are interested in carrying these shoes, please send an email to info@terox.com.
About the Author
Cam White is a regional manager and technical consultant for the Novascarpa group. He has written numerous product reviews and produced over 100 YouTube videos reporting on new and emerging footwear technologies on WalkWithoutPain, his YouTube channel.
Plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain, and it is epidemic in Central Texas. People suffering from plantar fasciitis commonly report a sharp, crippling pain in their heels when they first get out of bed. The pain gradually subsides as they continue walking but a residual soreness is usually present. As the day wears on, the pain can continue to increase, and at the end of the day, you feel miserable.
About 50 percent of our customers at Total Relief Footwear suffer from plantar fasciitis. Many of our customers have little understanding of their ailment. They know that they are in pain and they are looking for a solution. The purpose of this discussion is to help provide a better understanding of plantar fasciitis, and to provide some useful information for relieving the pain associated with this debilitating condition.
How the Plantar Fascia Works
The plantar fascia is a thick, sinewy band of tissue (aponeurosis) that extends from the heel bone (calcaneus) to the balls of the feet (metatarsal heads) , and on to the toes. Since it attaches from bone-to-bone, the plantar fascia is similar to a ligament, but it has elasticity, allowing it to stretch and contract.
The plantar fascia plays a critical role in our foot's ability to absorb shock and propel itself with each step we take. Like a very thick rubber band, it stretches as our foot strikes the ground, thus allowing our arches to collapse slightly and absorb shock. As we toe-off the plantar fascia contracts, which assists our foot to propel itself forward into our next step.
When the plantar fascia becomes over-stretched, it can start to tear away from it's insertion point in the heel bone. The band of tissue becomes inflamed, triggering sharp pain in the heel and soreness across the arch. Once the plantar fascia is injured, your foot's ability to absorb shock and propel itself forward is compromised. This is a grossly over-simplistic explanation of plantar fasciitis, but it gives you an idea of how the plantar fascia works, and how it can become injured. For more in-depth information, I recommend reading Dr. Stephen Pribut's page on plantar fasciitis.
How did I get Plantar Fasciitis?
First of all, your heel pain may not be plantar fasciitis. There are a few other ailments with similar symptoms. A simple, relatively painless examination by a podiatrist will confirm your plantar fasciitis diagnosis, and rule out any other causes of heel pain, such as stress fractures. Click here for a listing of podiatrists we have heard great things about in Austin. If you don't live in Central Texas, do your homework and find a podiatrist with excellent reviews in your community.
Plantar fasciitis is usually caused by repetitive stress. We are not designed to walk on concrete all day long. The human foot is meant to walk barefoot on grass, sand and uneven surfaces. Instead, many of us spend much of our day walking on concrete, tile and hard surfaces. There is no forgiveness or variation to these surfaces, so our feet take a pounding. The plantar fascia works harder to absorb shock on concrete, becomes over stretched, and becomes inflamed as it strains to pull away from the heel bone. Excess weight and unsupportive shoes can also place additional stress on the plantar fascia. "Weekend warriors" often develop plantar fasciitis when they take up new activities, such as running, without training properly. Plantar fasciitis can also be caused by trauma, such as a sudden fall.
Will my plantar fasciitis ever heal?
Patience is critical to helping plantar fasciitis heal. The plantar fascia is a fibrous band of tissue with a limited blood supply. Blood supply is essential to healing. The plantar fascia ligament (aponeurosis), once injured, can take months to heal. The key is to take care of yourself, follow your physician's advice, and remove as many obstacles as possible to the healing process. A podiatrist or physician may recommend padding, foot manipulation, taping, orthotics, and anti-inflammatory medications to help reduce inflammation and to help accelerate healing. The right shoe, coupled with the right arch support and cushioning can also go a long way toward reducing or eliminating heel pain.
Z-CoiL shoes can be amazingly effective at reducing heel pain and is among our top shoe picks for heel pain reduction. It never ceases to amaze me how effective these shoes can be for nagging, chronic and severe heel pain. Don't let the odd-looking appearance of the shoe fool you - Z-CoiL is a beautiful design for plantar fasciitis and heel pain relief.
Do you remember how the plantar fascia functions to both absorb shock and propel the foot forward? When the plantar fascia becomes injured, it's ability to function properly is limited. The rigid steel coil in Z-CoiL shoes absorbs 50 percent of the impact our bodies must absorb at heel strike, while returning nearly the same amount of energy as the foot rolls forward through the gait cycle. The coil essentially does the work of the plantar fascia, thus offloading much of the stress on the injured band of tissue. A rigid fiberglass-reinforced nylon orthotic cradles and supports the plantar ligaments, and a forefoot rocker ensures a smooth, rolling transition as you toe-off. The orthotic can be heated with a hair dryer and shaped for maximum comfort and support. Z-CoiL shoes also work quite well with over-the-counter arch support products, including Lynco orthotics, Superfeet, Powerstep and Spenco arch supports. There are 2 common misconceptions about Z-CoiL shoes:
The shoes look unstable. I believe we tend to think of "Slinky" toys when we look at a spring. A slinky is a cylindrical coil. It has to move side-to-side. The Z-CoiL spring is conical. A conical coil collapses inside of itself. If you take a slight mis-step, the Z-CoiL spring will act to level your foot and move straight down. Z-CoiL shoes are remarkably stable when you walk in them.
Z-CoiL shoes look like "high-heeled sneakers". Another optical illusion. Most of your height is actually in the forefoot rocker-sole cushioning. When you stand in Z-CoiL shoes, the coil compresses slightly, and the wearer will feel absolutely level in their stance. If the wearer feels "pitched forward" or "pitched back", the coil can be adjusted. There are also 4 different strengths of coils, depending on the weight and gait characteristics of the individual.
Ryn shoes are rocker-sole shoes with excellent medial/lateral stability. Unlike many of the other heel-to-toe rocker sole shoes (MBT, Skechers) the Ryn shoes tend to move straight ahead, instead of rolling in and out. They also have plenty of depth to accept orthotics, if needed. With the Ryn design, the heel and the ball of the foot don't come in contact with the ground. The force of striking the ground is absorbed by a structured air tunnel system that reduces the impact forces on the foot and promotes a smooth, rolling gait. Since Ryn shoes have exceptional side-to-side stability, the foot resists over-pronating (rolling inwards) which can place additional stress on the plantar fascia. We have also seen many customers that have reported significant heel pain relief wearing Ryn shoes.
Aetrex, Brooks, Somnio are fine examples of companies that make make shoes that can be customized for the needs of the individual wearer. High-arched feet travel differently than low-arched feet. Each of these companies make shoes that address the shape, structure and support needs of our feet. Selecting the right shoe, coupled with the right support can make a huge difference in reducing heel and foot pain. Aetrex uses their patented iStep technology to digitally scan feet, identify areas of peak pressure, and recommends the proper shoe and arch support. Somnio shoes can be customized with variable heel and forefoot cushioning, arch support and pronation control inserts. Brooks makes excellent shoes for walking and running. Each of these companies has devoted exhaustive research into engineering shoes and support for the casual walker or serious runner, and we have seen excellent results fitting these shoes.
Finally, never go barefoot in your house when you have plantar fasciitis. Wear a good, supportive house shoe when you get out of bed. There are many products that fall into this category, but Fitflop, Alegria, Spenco Total Support and Finn Comfort sandals have worked very well with our customers suffering from heel pain.
This has been a very brief introduction to helping better understand plantar fasciitis and heel pain. There is much more that has be written about this subject, but hopefully this serves as a good starting point. According to Dr. Pribut and several other references I have researched, over 98 percent of plantar fasciitis cases can be successfully treated without surgery. Take care of your feet, listen to your doctor and wear the right shoes.
Finally, here's a very informative video that helps provide a better overview of plantar fasciitis along with conservative, non-surgical treatment options:
During the past couple of months, we have seen a steady stream of customers replacing their worn-out Z-CoiL shoes. Many of those people bought their shoes in 2004. They worked in the shoes every day and it took over 6 years before the shoe finally died! In fact, the running joke among many Z-CoiL enthusiasts is "they just can't kill the shoes"!
That got me thinking about the environmental and economic impact of wearing shoes built to last. If we all wore better constructed, durable footwear, there would be far fewer shoes wearing out prematurely and going into landfills.
Every year, an estimated 300 million pairs of shoes go into landfills, according to the U.S. Department of the Interior. Many of the sneakers with traditional Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) midsoles can take over 1,000 years to biodegrade. As the shoes break down, they can also leach toxins into the landfill. In our view, the key to reducing the sheer number of shoes going into landfills is to (1) invest in quality, (2) buy "greener" technologies and (3) recycle your shoes.
Investing in Quality
Brands like Ryn, Z-CoiL and Finn Comfort have a reputation for being extremely comfortable and lasting for many years. While they are more expensive than bargain brands, they are far more comfortable and they last considerably longer. Bargain brands are meant to be worn, used up and replaced often - which means they head to the landfill faster. Quality brands last for years instead of months, and many can be refurbished and re-soled for added life.
Investing in quality also saves money. Consider the leading, lower-priced rocker-sole shoes ($100-$120). They feel great when you first wear them. After a few months, the memory foam starts to break down, and the shoe starts "sagging". The outsole tread wears down smooth and the lining of the shoe starts to fall apart. After 6-8 months of wear, you "retire" the shoe and buy a new pair (another $100-$120). After 2 years of wear, you have spent north of $300 to wear 3-4 pairs shoes that only really feel comfortable for the first 3 months of wear. After 2 years of wear, a Ryn shoe will feel just as comfortable as the first day you bought them. Finn Comfort wearers routinely walk into our store in shoes that have regularly been worn for over 5 years. These are brands that are worn almost everyday that have a much longer lifespan and saves money. The next time you consider buying bargain brand shoes, stop and ask yourself if you are really saving money.
Buy "Greener"Technologies
Some footwear companies are investing in technologies that are far more environmentally friendly. Brooks announced their new BioMoGo midsole this year, which is a specially treated EVA midsole that will break down 50 times faster than conventional midsoles in a landfill. Brooks estimates that this innovation could reduce 29.9 million pounds of landfill waste over the next 20-25 years. Click Here for our Brooks shoes with BioMoGo technology. Finn Comfort and other fine manufacturers use natural vegetable leather tanning processes which are far healthier for your feet and eliminate the need for harsh chemicals to process the leather uppers.
Recycle Your Shoes
We all have shoes that never felt very good or fit poorly taking up space in our closets. Children can outgrow shoes long before they are worn out. Donate these shoes to the Salvation Army, Mobile Loaves & Fishes, or Soles4Souls, and your shoes will find a new life on the feet of people in dire need of shoes. If many of the 300 million pairs of shoes found new homes around the world, it would be a godsend for the world's impoverished regions and much more friendly for the environment. Total Relief Footwear is a year-round drop-off location for individual footwear donations for Soles4Souls. Please note that we are no longer accepting "group shoe drives" at our store.
In January, we organized a shoe drive, in partnership with Soles4Souls, collecting over 28,000 pounds of shoes distributed to earthquake victims by the charity. Here's a video re-capping the shoe drive. It was the largest donation of shoes by a single store in Soles4Soul's history.
Rocker sole shoes have become the latest trend in active walking, comfort footwear. Almost every manufacturer of comfort shoes is entering the marketplace with a rocker sole shoe. With so many options to choose from, and millions spent in advertising these brands, there will no doubt be some confusion about which brand to buy. The purpose of this discussion is to provide a better understanding of the rocker sole footwear category.
Rocker sole shoes have long been known for their therapeutic benefits. They can protect the heels and the balls of the feet from repetitive impact with concrete and hard surfaces. They can be helpful for those suffering from heel and arch pain. They can also be helpful for those suffering from arthritis in the big-toe-joint (hallux rigidus).They promote good posture and can improve circulation. Rocker soles tend to engage core muscles and can improve proprioception. But rocker sole shoes are not for everyone. If you have problems with balance, vertigo or dizziness, for example, a rocker sole shoe may not be appropriate for you.
To make more sense out of this category of footwear, and to cut through the marketing hype and confusion, I wrote an article and produced a short video on this subject: Article: All About Rocker Sole Shoes
