Comfortrite Shoes

If you have chronic heel pain, you may have a condition known as plantar fasciitis. This condition occurs when the ligament that crosses the bottom of your foot becomes inflamed. It is often associated with heel spurs (calcium deposits on the heel), but you do not have to have heel spur plantar fasciitis. This condition can be extremely painful and usually occurs as a result of injuries (especially running or jumping on hard surfaces), the chronic stress on your feet, obesity or ill-fitting shoes. If you find that your heel pain occurs first in the morning or just after you've been idle for a considerable period of time, chances are the ligament behind your arc is ignited.

If you think you have plantar fasciitis, you should talk with a podiatrist about your treatment options. Most podiatrists recommend rest and icing the foot. But proper footwear can also help relieve heel pain (especially for those with non-support shoes caused plantar fasciitis in the first place). Some argue that a simple change like replacing sandals with flat soles with Birkenstocks completely eliminated all the tenderness of the heel, even when they spent all day on their feet. Others were not so lucky. In more severe cases, a podiatrist may recommend shoe inserts custom (orthotic).

There are several brands of orthopedic shoes that may be suitable for people suffering from plantar fasciitis. Names to look for: Acor, Bite, Comfortrite, Darco, GentleStep, Finn Comfort, Kumfs, Mephisto, Merrell, Naot, Orthofeet, PW Minor, Sanita and Standing Comfort.

In general, you want a shoe with a heel slightly raised (looking for something high 1-1 ½ inches). The shoe must be very favorable. Make sure it has a heel. It is a plastic insert that cups your heel and tendon and is hiding in the fabric of the shoe. Take your thumb and press the heel. If the heel bends inward (as he is inside the shoe), the heel low and cons will not give you much support. You'll also want a shoe with a removable insole so you can insert your own orthotics if you need personal support.