Best PF insert? (Read 702 times)

I'm at the beginning of yet another injury... perhaps this is not the sport for me? Anyway, my left foot has started in with a light bout of Plantar Fasciitis. I've looked through the old posts on this site for info, and have found good ideas for treatment (icing, golf balls, etc.) However, info on effective inserts/orthotics are scattered and varies widely. What inserts have you found that helped the most with PF? I bought these at a local store.

I used to wear green superfeet, and they were pretty good at controlling my PF, although i'd still have occasional pain. My PF didn't go completely away until I got custom orthotics. Be careful with off-the-shelf insoles. Insufficient arch support or support in the wrong place can do serious damage to your foot. My wife was happily using OTS arch supports with the Saucony Triumph 3 and 4's and having no problems. Then when she started using the Triumph 5 she started having very bad PF. She continued trying to run for several weeks and the damage grew worse. Her podiatrist said she may need surgery in the future. The guy at RoadRunner Sports evaluated her Triumph 5's against her foot and concluded that the way the shoe fits her, it was supporting the arch in the wrong place, thus damaging her PF. A different model of shoes has helped her tremendously since then. So I think you need to choose the best insoles for you, not what has worked for other people. A competent running store salesman should be able to help you.

Nate, I think there is a post regarding PF a little further down, and JK posts about Superfeet Greens that he says cured him of a LONG BATTLE with PF... after trying everything under the sun....

They were a miracle cure for me. Here's the thread, but all I say is that same thing, over and over: http://runningahead.com/forums/topic/a2c3bfddf85f4e369b1138c9161b21fc We're all different. Find what works for you. But don't be afraid to try things. I had the Superfeet recommended to me by Fleet Feet months before I finally got them at JGoldsborough's suggestion. Don't be me. Don't wait. I was in pain for months that I didn't need to be. Speaking of JGoldsborough, I shouldn't volunteer him - but he really does know his stuff on shoes and feet. He's been helpful to quite a few people. If you don't have a shoe guy you like, you might start by asking him some questions.

Ditto on the Superfeet greens. For me, they've worked just as well, if not better, than the 2 sets of custom orthotics I've had made. And they were certainly a lot cheaper.

The guy at Fleet Feet told me that the green Superfeet are for lower arches, and the blue ones for higher arches, so which is appropriate (if either) depends on your arch -- and that you find the right size by finding the one that supports you heel just--darn, I forget, either at or behind the Navicular bone in the foot. He said if the support is ahead of the desired point, it may feel fine and good, but it doesn't do any good at alleviating the pressure.