The Plantar Fasciitis Epidemic: Heal Your Heels


Podiatrists estimate that the average human takes approximately 4,000 to 6,000 steps a day, which adds up to the equivalent of 5 trips around the earth in the average lifetime.

When you consider how much time you spend on your feet and the beating they take, it’s not surprising that nearly 75-80% of the adult population experiences foot problems at one time or another.

One such common foot problem which plagues 10% of Americans and results in over 1 million doctors visits each year is Plantar Fasciitis.

Plantar Fasciitis, also commonly referred to as “heel pain syndrome”, is characterized by sharp pain to the heel, which can occur from a traumatic event but often typically is caused by overuse stress on the foot.

Treatment of Plantar Fasciitis is often difficult and expensive. According to the American Chiropractic Association(ACA), Americans spend between $192-376 million dollars on Plantar Fasciitis treatments annually. These treatments range from injections and anti-inflammatory medications to orthotics, taping, manipulation, night splinting, and instrument-assisted soft-tissue manipulation (IASTM).

The good news is that a majority Plantar Fasciitis cases are corrected without the use of surgery. Below you will find several ways you can effectively reduce the pain associated with Plantar Fasciitis.

How to Reduce Pain Associated With Plantar Fasciitis:

  1. Soak your heel in ice daily for 10 minutes or until the pain subsides.
  2. Walk barefoot in gravel. While this sounds painful, it has been found to accelerate the healing process.
  3. Get a foot massage.
  4. Shorten your stride length when walking.
  5. Scrunch towels with your toes.

I don’t have Plantar Fasciitis. Is there anything I can do to prevent it?

If you are part of the 90% of the population who hasn’t experienced Plantar Fasciitis, here are some great ways to further protect your feet from this painful syndrome:

  1. When walking, strike your mid-foot on the ground before your heel.
  2. When walking, let your upper-body lead instead of letting your feet pull you forward.
  3. Stretch the tendons in your feet before and after exercise.
  4. Maintain a healthy body weight.
  5. Wear shoes with good arch supports
  6. Utilize the use of orthotic inserts such as SmartCells Anti-fatigue orthotic insoles.

Ergonomically designed to relieve discomfort from prolonged activity, the unique SmartCells act like springs that cushion and return energy.

SmartCells anti-fatigue orthotic Insoles are available in two styles that easily slip into most shoes. These unique insoles offer additional arch and heel support, are personalized for size and tuned to the nature of the users’ activities.

The SmartCells Everyday and Active lines of orthotic insoles are pre-molded and bio-mechanically engineered to provide additional cushion and support for optimal fatigue relief while helping prevent excessive pronation and related symptoms.

SmartCells: Do More. Feel Good.