Plantar fasciitis can make you want to avoid walking at all, but the makers of a new tennis shoe claim it will help ease plantar fasciitis symptoms by stretching the plantar while you walk.
The MBT Ari (Swahili for “spirit”) is a physiological shoe, which means it has a rocker sole – the kind best known for toning your gluts while you walk.
“Customers who have plantar fasciitis, in particular, will benefit from the rocker motion that helps to keep the plantar fascia stretched,” said MBT Manager Andrew Monarch. “It’s also great for anyone interested in rocker-sole shoes, since the increased size of the sole really helps you tone muscles with the controlled motion you experience with each step. We expect our customers to be really pleased with the superior technological features of this shoe.”
The Ari is the first physiological shoe to win the 2011 Red Dot Award for Product Design, primarily because of its 3D mesh insole, which is antibacterial, washable and removable, and its biomechanical design.
Plantar fasciitis is painful inflammation of the band of ligaments that runs from your toes to your heel of your foot. It’s considered an overuse injury, and like other overuse injuries, women are more prone to it than men. It makes headlines when it puts top athletes on the sidelines, but it’s a common problem, striking 2 million Americans each year, with women ages 40 to 60 among the most frequent sufferers.
The wrong shoes can actually lead to plantar fasciitis. Walking or standing in heels for long periods of time, for instance, can contribute to it by causing sinking arches and stress on the bones, ligaments and tendons in the foot.
Orthotics are often recommended as a treatmentt, and sufferers are always looking for the best shoes to wear to alleviate plantar fasciitis symptoms. You can also use stretching, massage and plantar exercises to aid recovery.
But when your foot hurts from plantar fasciitis symptoms, it’s also important to find the right pair of shoes to wear for every occasion, not just exercise. Some features to look for when shopping:
A high, comfortable arch support.
A sturdy, not-too-flexible shank. The shank runs between the heel and the outsole, supporting the arch of the foot.
A heel no more than approximately an inch.
Removable insoles if you’re using custom inserts.
Avoid completely flat shoes, which lack arch support.
Doctors often recommend Brooks, Asics, New Balance and Saucony, all of which provide a stable base designed to stop overpronation and arch support for those with high arches. Vibrant Nation members are also fond of Chacos.
The MBT Ari recently became available online at footwearetc.com and at Footwear etc. retail stores in the Northern California Bay Area and San Diego.
http://www.vibrantnation.com/health-fitness/plantar-fasciitis/athletic-shoes-promise-to-rock-away-plantar-fasciitis-symptoms/