Read below for more information about sources of foot pain and my experience of how yoga shoes can help.
You can read my reviews on different types of yoga shoes and socks by visiting this page.
Sore feet?
Sore feet are a common problem, especially for women who commonly wear uncomfortable shoes for the sake of fashion.
Sometimes feet problems can even be a result of doing yoga (incorrectly) … such as by over-stretching.
Common causes of foot pain include:
- corns and calluses
- bunions
- achilles tendinitis
- flatfeet
- gout
- plantar fasciitis
- arthritis
- poor fitting shoes
- high heel shoes
- over stretching
You may need to see a podiatrist or health care professional to help diagnose and treat your problem.
What is plantar fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is inflammation of the plantar fascia (a piece of tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot). When body weight is rapidly put on the foot, the fascia stretches quickly causing micro-tearing of the tissue. This causes pain in the arch or heel of the foot.
It is a common cause of heel pain. The pain is often worse after intense activity, including long periods of standing, or in the morning after you’ve stiffened up overnight.
It can be caused by:
- overstretching.
- overuse.
- wearing poor fitting shoes – such as having stiff soles or poor arch support.
- having flatfeet.
- having high arches.
- pregnancy.
- being overweight.
- being middle-aged or older.
- jobs that require a lot of standing on hard surfaces.
- a medical condition.
Your medical professional will help you with appropriate treatment, which may include getting good fitting shoes, rest, stretching, orthotics or other solutions. You may be able to get over the counter orthotics from drug stores, health care professionals and shoe stores without needing to get custom made ones.
Can it help to wear yoga shoes for plantar fasciitis?
Gentle exercises help to elongate the muscles and tendons in the feet and legs which makes them more flexible and supple. This helps to reduce the tension in the plantar fascia.
I’ve found that wearing yoga socks with a slight arch support helps me to feel like my feet are supported. The affect is very gentle… so I’m not sure how much the affect is actually physical support and how much of it is psychological. Perhaps the main help is that the ‘snug’ feeling around my foot helps me to be more mindful of my feet so that I perform the stretches in a more careful manner.
Toesox have an arch band which provides gentle pressure to lift and support your foot. There are full toe and half-toe options available. Find the best price on Amazon.
Yoga pose to help plantar fasciitis
Tadasana (Mountain Pose)
You’re probably familiar with Tadasana.
To do this, you stand upright with your feet parallel and big toes touching. Have your arms by your sides with palms facing forward. Imagine a string pulling you up from the centre of your head to elongate your body.
Think about having your feet stretched out along the ground. Wriggle your toes and think of spreading them out on the floor.
Now lift the balls of your feet rocking back gently onto your heels. Then rock your body side to side, before bringing your weight back to the center and spreading your toes and feet evenly on the floor.
Do these movements slowly and gently paying mindful attention to how your body movements affect the feelings in your feet.
Mountain pose helps to strengthen your legs and feet and gently stretches the fascia in your feet.
Other yoga shoes and socks
If you don’t need yoga socks for plantar fasciitis, but just for warmth, hygiene or fashion, check out my reviews of other yoga socks and shoes.