by Dr. Tom Lembo
In the United States alone, approximately 2 million Americans suffer from arch or heel pain each year. Heel pain is typically located on the underside of the heel, and occasionally behind it.
While this is rarely a symptom of a serious health condition, it can escalate to the point where normal activity, especially exercise, can be extremely painful. Although mild pain in the heel area can commonly disappear on its own, severe pain can become persistent and chronic if ignored.
Most heel pain is caused by a condition known as plantar fasciitis. From simple physical activities, such as walking and standing, to more strenuous weight-bearing exercises, such as dancing and jogging, the feet are constantly subjected to significant stresses. Due to their strategic location and function, the heel is vulnerable to damage, injury and pain.
One of the most common causes of heel and arch pain is overuse/ repetitive exertion with inadequately supportive shoes.
The typical symptoms of heel pain present themselves gradually. In most cases, pain is felt on the bottom of the heel. Discomfort can also extend into the arch. The pain is most intense when resuming activity after rest and tends to decrease with continued motion. This is due to the fact that the plantar fascia (the ligament that is strained in heel pain) tightens as we sleep. When we first step down again, a shocking tight pain can be felt!
Plantar fasciitis can also worsen at the end of the day after long periods of standing or walking. Swelling, inflammation and stiffness are other symptoms that may be associated with this type of heel pain.
Plantar fasciitis most commonly causes sharp, stabbing pain right under the heel. It is most painful after the foot has been at rest.
This could be when getting up in the morning or after having been seated for a long time. However, it is not uncommon to develop heel pain in other locations of the heel such as the outer side, the inside, or only the left or right heel.
The American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society has recommended the use of over-the-counter insoles and stretching exercises as a starting point for heel pain treatment.
According to one study performed, approximately 95 percent of women whowore over-the-counter shoe inserts and followed a simple stretching regimen experienced significant relief from heel pain in eight weeks. This illustrates what many have experienced in the past, that over-the-counter orthotic shoe inserts can be used as a highly effective first line of therapy for heel pain with positive results.
There are quite a few conditions that can result in heel pain and arch pain. If you can figure out what the underlying cause is, you may be able to get rid of your pain.
Despite affecting many individuals, plantar fasciitis is not discussed frequently enough. Often associated with aging, plantar fasciitis can be severe enough to make walking difficult for anyone, regardless of age and fitness level.
For many, the solution is plantar fasciitis shoe inserts, sometimes custom-made by a podiatrist. These can cost hundreds of dollars and often limit the types of shoes one can wear.
However, nearly all cases of plantar fasciitis can be improved with over-the-counter orthotic inserts. Not only do they cost a fraction of the price, but they also come in various shapes and sizes, allowing one to retain their existing footwear.
Although it may seem too good to be true, understanding plantar fasciitis and how orthotics work reveals why a solution is possible without breaking the bank.
#1- Samurai Insoles Ninjas ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Never heard of Samurai Insoles? You will! Samurai Insoles has taken the foot care market by storm, and there are no signs of them slowing down anytime soon. Why are Samurai Insoles our top pick for 2025 for plantar fasciitis?
✔️ Great Reviews: "They work", "Amazing", "A Miracle", "A must have"; this is just some of the tremendous feedback Samurai Insoles Ninjas are getting from customers with heel pain recently.
✔️ Design: Samurai Insoles Ninjas are one of the few products on the market that are an ACTUAL ORTHOTIC that is not super rigid. This gives your feet the support they need to relieve heel and arch pain while STILL being comfortable!
They also can be worn in nearly ANY shoe with a removable insole, giving you the flexibility of using them in many types of shoes!
And the best part? Because they aren't an insole made of foam and fabric, they last SO LONG! There isn't anything to wear out, just put them under the factory insoles of a new pair of shoes and you're good to go.
✔️ Price: At $39.99 these are an absolute steal! People routinely pay over $500 for custom orthotics for plantar fasciitis. For less than 1/10 the price, these can be nearly as good.
✔️ Amazing Return Policy/Warranty: Samurai Insoles Ninjas have a 60 day return policy. You can literally wear them for 59 days, decide they don't work for you, and send them back for a full refund. Ninjas also have a ONE YEAR WARRANTY! No other product we reviewed even comes CLOSE to this type of guarantee.
✔️ Made in the USA: Samurai Insoles are made in an orthotic lab in the USA. The fact that an American-made orthotic can be purchased for under $40 is incredible.
Here is the founder of Samurai Insoles demonstrating:
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If you've been on the internet in the last year, you haven't sneezed without seeing a Protalus ad. They are comfy and can be very beneficial for flat feet. Protalus' hefty price tag remains their biggest negative.
✔️ Design:Protalus "kind of" has an orthotic merged with an insole. Protalus took a different approach by combining a thick piece of plastic on the bottom of the insole, instead of inside. This can do the job in some circumstances, but it also makes them thicker than Samurai Insoles, reducing the choices of shoes they'll fit in well.
❌Price: Here's the problem with Protalus; they're so expensive! At the time of writing this the current retail is $64.95. Oof. For that kind of money you'd better REALLY love them. It also reduces the chances you'd buy a whole bunch of them to put in all of your shoes.
✔️90 Warranty: Protalus products have a 90 day warranty. It's not one year like the Samurai Insoles Ninjas, but better than nothing...
❌Made in the USA: Protalus insoles are NOT made in the USA unfortunately. For the price we had hoped they were.
Superfeet have been around a LONG time. They got their start being sold in retail sporting goods stores, and have transitioned to selling online in recent years, but this has presented the company with some challenges.
✔️ Design: If you've checked out the Protalus design, just know that the Superfeet did it first. They were one of the first to incorporate an orthotic plastic layer on the outside of the insole. Once again, this does the job, but it also makes them thicker than the Samurai, reducing the choices of shoes they'll fit well in.
✔️ Price: Superfeet are borderline in the pricey range, current retail at the time of writing this article is $54.95
✔️ 60 Day Warranty: Superfeet green insoles come with a 60 day warranty, significantly less than Samurai Insoles Ninjas or Protalus products.
❌ Made in the USA: Superfeet are not made in the USA unfortunately. Once again, for this price we had hoped they would be.
✔️ Design: Not a full-length insole, but still designed to be placed on top of your shoe's factory insoles, which may make it difficult for some people to adjust to the feel. Once again, Dr. Scholl's Custom Fit combines a thick piece of plastic to the bottom of the insole, instead of inside the insole itself.
❌ Price: Dr. Scholl's Custom fit Orthotic Inserts currently are our second most expensive selection. At the time of this article they have a retail price of approximately $60
✔️ 90 Day Warranty: Dr. Scholls Custom Fit Orthotic Inserts have a 90 day warranty.
❌ Made in the USA: Dr. Scholl's "Custom fit" Orthotic Inserts are not made in the USA unfortunately.
❌ Design: Regrettably, there is not much to be said. Dr. Scholl’s Pain Relief Orthotics for Plantar Fasciitis consist of a very thin insole with equally thin piece of plastic attached to the bottom. It is uncertain how much weight they can support before losing their shape, but it appears that their capacity is limited.
✔️ Price: Well, at least they're affordable at $15! You may just get what you pay for however.
✔️ 90 Day Warranty: Dr. Scholl’s Plantar Fasciitis Orthotics have a 90 day warranty.
❌ Made in the USA: Dr. Scholl's Pain Relief Orthotic Inserts are not made in the USA unfortunately.
Whichever you choose to fight your plantar fasciitis pain, choose now!
The longer you allow plantar fasciitis pain to linger, the harder it is to get rid of, and the longer it will take!
Best,
Dr. Tom Lembo
We, Samurai Wellness, LLC, are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking toAmazon.com and affiliated sites. Samurai Insoles are branded products made by our company, Samurai Wellness, LLC, and we truly believe that our products are the best on the market! This article is a promotion of the Samurai Insoles branded products that we sell. It is important to know that our products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.