Running shoes are designed to accommodate a wide variety of foot shapes and sizes, body types, and biomechanics. The challenge is matching the right shoes to each and every person. We offer a Free Gait Analysis and Thermal Imaging Scan with your shoe purchase at each of our stores. Come in and let one of our expert shoe fitters analyze your gait and arch to help determine the best shoes for YOU. We do use helpful tools to assist us in this process, but the real advantage of visiting a Runner's Depot store comes from the fitting staff who are educated and experienced in knowing how to evalutate what they are seeing - much like the value of a Radiologist is to reading an X-Ray.  Be wary of stores that offer high-tech gadgets but don't understand why a specific shoe is being recommended for you.

And, finally, we will spend quality time just talking to you and finding out more about you and your plans for the shoes; whether it be running, walking, working out or just wearing them for everyday use. Each use has different ramifications and plays a large part in us deciding which shoes we suggest for you to try. The the right shoe for your activity can help you avoid foot, ankle and knee pain. For example, plantar fasciitis is caused by inflammation of the fibrous band of tissue on the bottom of the foot. Achilles tendinitis-inflammation of the tendon connecting the calf muscle to the heel-causes pain above the heel along the back of the leg.

By using the thermal imaging Footdisc, clients can see first-hand how the bottom of their foot does not completely meet the bottom of the ground, or of their shoe. This unfilled gap between the bottom of the foot and the shoe is not ideal for several reasons. 

- Extra space enables the arch and plantar tissue to overstretch and cause potential strain especially when running or walking fast. This can lead to plantar fasciitis and or heel spurs.

- This gap can also cause overpronation which allows the ankle to roll inward upon impact, potentially causing posterior tibialis and other issues.

- The extra space also lengthens the time it takes for the foot to make ground contact and push back off for the next step. For runners, this can impact your speed and create more effort than necessary when training and racing.

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TREATMENT FOR PLANTAR FASCIITIS

7 TIPS FOR RELIEF & HEALING
 
MASSAGE
Massage therapy is one of the best treatments for plantar fasciitis after the initial inflammation has subsided.
Although it's a wonderful option, you don't necessarily need to see a massage therapist to take care of this. Just
taking the time to massage your own foot (feet) each day will loosen muscle tissue, remove muscle toxins and
increase the circulation of blood and oxygen to the injured area. This is especially helpful in the morning upon
waking up when the fascia has tightened back up (shortened) during rest. The more you can massage
the injured fascia throughout the day, the better! The Spiky Massage Ball by Pro-Tec is a great tool for this. The spikes not only feel good on those sore feet, but offer a stimulating effect that increases blood flow. This also helps curb the build up of scar tissue in the area and will lead to faster healing.

ARCH COMPRESSION
This Plantar Fasciitis Sleeve developed by Feetures is a miracle-worker for plantar pain. Its zone compression technology lifts and stabilizes the plantar fascia which improves circulation in the affected area. More circulation = quicker healing! In summary, it reduces pain and swelling and can be worn whenever... even with sandals. You will feel some immediate relief the minute you put it on! It comes in black or white and in a single pack or pairs.
    
SOOTHING SUPPORT
ProThotics Insoles are awesome for heel spur pain associated with Plantar Fasciitis. The metatarsal support in the arch and highly cushioned instep provide a supportive yet soft barrier between your heel/arch pain and your shoes. On top of that, there are gel pads in the heel and ball of the foot to provide additional comfort, and enough arch support to prevent overpronation which could further aggravate your heel pain. We carry many great insoles, but this one is truly the best thing you will put against your feet when suffering from Plantar!
 
SOAK
By far, one of the best treatments for plantar fasciitis pain is a HOT Epsom salt soak. The magnesium sulfate in Epsom salt helps relieve muscle cramps, pain and inflammation. It also helps to flush out impurities and toxins in the body and skin. Either fill up the bathtub with hot-as-you-can-take-it water - enough to cover your feet and legs, or fill a bucket of some type that will allow your feet to fit comfortably covered with water. Add half the bag or carton of Epsom salt and soak for 15-30 minutes. Do this 3-4 times a week, or more if you have time. You won't believe the relief you feel afterwards!

STRETCH
Tight calf muscles often lead to increased tension on the plantar fascia. The inter-connected chain of muscles and tendons in the lower leg and tightness in the calves will often aggravate these tendons in the feet causing more pulling on a heel spur you may be developing. The more you can stretch the calf muscles on a regular basis thereby keeping them loose and free of knots will help ease the plantar pain you may be feeling.
Remember to keep the foot flat when stretching. Do NOT stretch the calf with bent toes (as on the edge of a curb). This can do more damage than good to the plantar fascia. A great product to aid in correct stretching
of the calf muscles is the Medi-Dyne ProStretch. The patented ProStretch rocker design automatically holds the foot in the optimal position for proper stretching providing a biomechanically accurate and efficient stretch that's been proven to work the lower leg muscles more effectively.

COMPRESSION SOCKS
Compression Socks are a great tool for increasing recovery time and just plain feeling good! Not just for running, when an athlete is at rest, compression socks increase blood circulation by up to 30% thereby shortening recovery time. They do this by applying consistent compression to the calf, allowing the arterial walls to relax and the flow of oxygen-rich blood to increase through all lower-leg and foot extremities. More oxygen means quicker healing! ZENSAH brand compression socks are available at all of our stores in varying sizes and colors.