Health

Plantar Fasciitis and Heel Spur Relief Products

Updated March 31, 2013

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by our Medical Review Board

Foot pain from plantar fasciitis and heel spurs can keep you off your feet. Treatment usually is based on rest and controlling inflammation. Usually you still must do some walking just in your daily activities, however. The following products may be of help to get you through the healing process. Proper fitting footwear is the key to preventing recurrence.

1. Night Splint

Compare several different models of night splints for plantar fasciitis and heel spur, from soft to rigid. Each of them keeps your foot flexed at night so it doesn't relax and tighten up the plantar fascia. If it tightens overnight, you irritate it again in the morning and experience that horrible pain with your first steps.

2. SOLE Softec Response Heat Moldable Footbeds

Courtesy of Pricegrabber

Heat these footbeds in an oven, then place them in your shoes and mold them to your feet. A small research study found that they reduced plantar fascia strain by 34% in the two individuals studied, as did non-moldable semi-custom orthotics. They don't provide motion control, however.

3. Gel Heel Cups

These silicone heel cups cradle the heel, providing extra shock relief. Use them with your regular footwear for added cushioning.

4. Birkenstock Arizona Sandals

Our Guide to Ancient History vigorously recommends Birkenstocks for recovering from heel spur or plantar fasciitis. This is one of the original Birkie styles with an orthotic-like footbed of cork and latex to comfort your feet. They are unisex and come in many colors and materials, in narrow and regular widths.

5. Arch Brace

Courtesy of Pricegrabber

Supports and lifts the plantar fascia, the band of connective tissue which helps maintain the arch of the foot. The arch brace can provide relief from the inflammation and pain. Two adjustable Velcro® straps wrap around the arch. Comes in three sizes.

6. Cryosphere

Courtesy of Pricegrabber

Use this handy football-shaped item in two ways. First, keep it in the freezer. Then, take it out and roll it under your foot to provide cold therapy and massage to relieve inflammation while gently stretching the foot.

7. Heel That Pain Heel Seats

Courtesy of Pricegrabber

A patented orthotic to help you with your heel pain.

Buy Direct

8. Cold Foot Wrap

Ice your foot the easy no-mess way with this sleeve with re-freezable gel. Just keep it in the freezer and you are ready to ice your foot whenever you wish.

9. Earth Therapeutics Footsie Foot Massager

This is a simple wooden foot roller designed to massage your foot correctly, and can help stretch the plantar fascia.

10. Sources

_{Crawford F, Thomson C. "Interventions for treating plantar heel pain." Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2003;3:CD000416.}

_{Reed Ferber, Brittany Benson. "Changes in multi-segment foot biomechanics with a heat-mouldable semi-custom foot orthotic device." J Foot Ankle Res. 2011; 4: 18.}

Plantar Fasciitis

Related Guide Picks

Wendy Bumgardner
Walking Guide

Sign up for My Newsletter

See More About