Lose the flip flops…and the high heels too
Poor footwear is a major contributor to plantar fasciitis. Case in point: the flip flop craze. It’s hard to believe that the recent surge in popularity of flip flops and the continued rise of plantar fasciitis cases is pure coincidence. Flip flops give no support to your arch, and provide about as much shock absorption as a sheet of cardboard. If you’re in a warm weather area and want the flip flop style, you’d be better off with a high-quality sandal featuring an arch support in its design. Brands like ecco, Birkenstock, and Dr. Martens all make quality products in this regard, but this list is not exhaustive. These are just brands I’ve worn personally. The point being here, better alternatives to flimsy flip flops exist.
The opposite extreme is high heeled shoes, meaning anything from stilettos to cowboy boots. High heels jack the back of your foot way up, and in addition to providing little support, contribute to a shortening in your calf region and Achilles tendon. This is bad news if you already suffer from plantar fasciitis, and will increase the odds of acquiring it immensely if you don’t.
For a full description of what to look for in footwear, you may want to check out my book Injury Afoot: 30 Things You Can Do to Relieve Heel Pain and Speed Healing of Plantar Fasciitis. But in short, avoid flip flops and high heels as one more step in conquering and staving off plantar fasciitis.