Plantar fasciitis pain can interfere with a wide variety of daily activities, from standing or running to high-impact sports. Even sitting or lying down for too long can aggravate the condition, causing your foot and leg to feel stiff and very sore—especially first thing in the morning.
Compression socks for plantar fasciitis present a fast, affordable, and effective way to treat heel and foot pain characteristic of the condition. The guide below explains how compression socks benefit those with plantar fasciitis and how to choose the best pair.
Are you ready to enjoy long-term pain relief from plantar fasciitis? Nurse Yard’s compression socks not only support your arches and improve circulation with graduated compression, but they also come in a variety of styles and sizes. Browse our selection and get your first pair today!
Do Compression Socks Help Plantar Fasciitis?
When the plantar fascia ligaments that span the bottom of your foot become overworked from standing all day or frequent athletic activity, they become sore and inflamed.
Compression socks are one of the simplest and most accessible ways to reliably treat the pain, inflammation, and stiffness associated with this condition. Gentle, snug compression around the foot and calf encourages better circulation, which helps the area heal and efficiently alleviates pain.
Benefits of Compression Socks For Plantar Fasciitis
There are a number of ways that compression socks can help alleviate the pain and discomfort caused by plantar fasciitis, from soothing inflammation and supporting connective tissue to improving circulation. Below is a detailed list of exactly how and why compression socks help improve this condition.
Arch Support
One of the most important features of compression socks for plantar fasciitis is arch support. Elastic support in the arch of your foot eases strain in the plantar fascia ligaments by absorbing and redistributing the impact of your steps. Arch support also prevents the plantar fascia from stretching too much when you walk, run, or jump.
Reduced Inflammation and Pain
Plantar fasciitis pain comes from inflammation in the ligaments that stretch from the base of your toes to your heel. Compression socks support these ligaments to prevent overexertion while simultaneously preventing fluids from building up in your feet and calves, which prevents tissues from swelling.
Faster Healing and Recovery
If you’re on your feet for long periods of time or work out frequently, compression socks can help alleviate plantar fasciitis pain and inflammation even after you begin to relax. Wearing compression socks in the evenings or after a workout provides continuous support to the connective tissues in your feet and improves circulation in your feet and legs. This process helps reduce the tension and swelling that cause pain and discomfort.
Can You Wear Compression Socks for Plantar Fasciitis Overnight?
Many people experience the most plantar fasciitis pain when they’re relaxing at night, which can make it hard to sleep. Wearing compression socks to bed can help reduce inflammation and eliminate stiffness and pain first thing in the morning.
However, you should consult a physician before wearing compression socks to bed. While it’s safe if you're generally healthy, those with certain conditions may want to consider alternative treatments.
Can You Wear Compression Socks With Orthotics?
Yes—in fact, medical professionals often recommend that plantar fasciitis patients combine orthotics with compression socks for better pain relief and long-lasting comfort.
When choosing orthotics to wear with your compression socks, it’s important to choose supports that fit properly. If your shoes feel very tight or restrictive while you’re wearing orthotics and compression socks at the same time, you may need thinner orthotics or compression socks with good arch support and no orthotics.
How to Choose the Right Compression Socks
When it comes to choosing compression socks for plantar fasciitis, there are three main details to consider:
- Which support features you need
- Proper compression level
- Best sock size for your foot and calf
In terms of support features, individuals with plantar fasciitis need more than just pressure. Arch supports help alleviate heel pain, while cushioned ankles prevent chafing and lightly support the joint. Graduated pressure is also better than single pressure because it lets blood flow more naturally.
Compression Level
Pressure in compression socks is measured in millimeters of mercury, or mmHg—this indicates the amount of pressure exerted on a liquid inside a vessel, such as the blood and lymphatic fluid in your circulatory system.
There are a wide variety of compression levels available, with the lowest being 10 to 15mmHg, and the highest around 35 to 40mmHg. The lowest levels are best for mild circulation issues, while high-pressure compression should only be used under a doctor’s supervision.
For plantar fasciitis, the best compression range is between 20 and 30mmHg. This mid-range pressure is enough to redistribute fluids in your tissues and improve blood flow without disrupting your circulation.
Sock Size
Sock size is especially important when it comes to compression socks. Plantar fasciitis socks that are too small can abrade the skin, while overly large socks won’t stay up long enough to provide the proper compression.
Most compression sock manufacturers use a calf-and-foot sizing scale to help customers determine which size they need. For instance, to find your perfect fit at Nurse Yard, you’d need to measure the widest part of your calf with a measuring tape and then find that number and your shoe size on our size chart.
If, for example, your calf measures 11 inches in circumference and you wear a women’s size 9 shoe, our L/XL will likely fit you best.
Order Your Plantar Fasciitis Compression Socks Today
Nurse Yard compression socks have the features you need to alleviate plantar fasciitis pain and more. In addition to graduated pressure in the calf and supported arches, we added cushioned ankles and a no-slip cuff to ensure your all-day comfort.
Our plantar fasciitis socks are also available in a wide variety of sizes and styles—browse our collection and choose your perfect pair today!