Plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of pain in the heel and the foot’s arch and is most commonly observed in middle-aged people.
Dealing with this kind of pain can seriously affect your day to day life.
If you are suffering from this condition, read on to find the best foot massager for plantar fasciitis to help manage your pain effectively.
Top 5 Best Foot Massager For Plantar Fasciitis 2017- Comparison Chart
Rank | Image | Product Name | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 |  | 99 /100 | ||
2 |  | 97 /100 | ||
3 |  | 97 /100 | ||
4 |  | 94 /100 | ||
5 |  | 94 /100 |
*Below, you'll find our more detailed reviews, but you can also click the links above to see current prices or read customer reviews on Amazon.
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Understanding Plantar Fasciitis
Before being able to choose the right foot massager to treat your pain, it is important to understand what exactly is causing the pain in your feet.
Plantar fasciitis is a common repetitive strain injury that affects the plantar fascia – a ligament that connects the heel bone to the toes. The arch in your feet is supported by this ligament.
When someone spends a lot of time on their feet, for instance, a cashier, it may expose the plantar fascia to a lot of stress which can result in pain in the heel or the arch of their foot.
Plantar fasciitis can happen in just one foot or both together. The pain experienced usually peaks after strenuous activities like climbing stairs or playing a sport like basketball. Some of the common causes of this injury include:
- Working jobs that require you to stand on your feet or walk around for the most part of the day.
- Wearing shoes that fit too tightly or are pretty worn out.
- People with high arches of flat feet are especially prone to suffering from plantar fasciitis.
However, not all foot pain is a result of plantar fasciitis.The common symptom that you should look out for is pain in the feet right getting out of bed in the morning or after sitting for a long time. If pain presents itself only at nighttime, you may be suffering from a different condition like arthritis.
Treatments for Plantar Fasciitis
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Treatments for plantar fasciitis are plenty including oral therapies, exercise techniques, foot massagers, and even surgery. However, surgery is the recommended course of action only in extreme cases on chronic pain.
Most people who start some kind of treatment soon after the symptoms present themselves find that the pain will disappear within a year. Some of the treatments to help relieve pain include:
- Application of ice on your heel to reduce inflammation of the plantar fascia .
- Doing simple exercises like calf and toe stretches to strengthen the ligament .
- In case the pain becomes very unbearable, you can try NSAIDs like ibuprofen or naproxen .
- Using a foot massager to relax your feet and decrease the stress on them .
Benefits of Using a Foot Massager
Treating pain from plantar fasciitis using a foot massager is a great idea because it requires no medical expertise, can be done in the comfort of your home at any time, and it also presents many additional health benefits. Some reasons to consider using a foot massager are:
- Your feet experience a great deal of stress daily from activities like walking, running or even just standing. Tight shoes and rigorous exercise are to blame too in some cases. Massaging your feet helps relieve a lot of this stress by reducing the stiffness and fatigue of foot muscles.
- Massages always result in increased blood circulation in the area which helps to free any trapped lactic acid and toxic substances. It also helps nourish the feet by bettering the nutrient-flow in the area.
- Plantar fasciitis can also result in acute anxiety issues due to the pain it causes. And a good foot massager not only helps alleviate pain but also reduces anxiety levels.
Types of Foot Massagers
Foot massagers majorly come in three types – manual massagers, electric massagers, and foot spas.
1. Manual Massagers
Usually made from natural sources like wood, these massagers require manual manipulation by the user for a therapeutic effect. They are the most economical of the three types.
2. Electric Massagers
These massagers feature a set of rollers or balls that are set into continuous rotation by application of electricity. The rolling mechanism is responsible for their therapeutic effect.
3. Foot Spas
Usually the most expensive of the three types, foot spas are the similar to electric massagers except that they offer additional therapeutic options like heat and water therapy.
One Golden Tip
You have researched a number of foot massagers and have decided to buy that really expensive foot massager that promises results within a few sessions. But hold on just a minute before you press the BUY button.
Not all massagers, no matter how advanced, will help everyone to the same degree. A very inexpensive manual massager, may, in fact be the most effective in treating your pain.
The best way to buy the best massager is to first pick out the best massagers available (our picks are listed below), and then discuss with your health professional which one of these is the most suitable for you.
Top 5 Best Foot Massager For Plantar Fasciitis on The Market 2017
1. MedMassager MMF06 11 Speed Foot Massager
This is an electric massager that is useful for treating a number of different foot issues including planar fasciitis.
This machine is commonly found in many clinics to treat patients suffering from neuropathy and diabetes mellitus.
However, no medical license is necessary to own and operate this massager in the comfort of your home.
Pros
- This foot massager offers variable 11-speed control varying from 1000 to 3700 rpm. This means you will most likely be able to find a perfect speed to treat any kind of pain – dull, sharp or sensitive.
- It comes with a full sized oscillating foot pad that is complete with an Arch-Bar and a pressure point targeting surface. This ensures that almost any kind of foot (shape/size) will be treated equally well.
- The MMF0611 Speed Foot Massager also comes with a kit that enables you to use it on hardwood and tiled floors without any issue.
Cons
- The extensive features provided by this massager come with a hefty price tag compared to most of the other massagers in the market.
- Many customers have reported the generation of loud whirring noise from the massager after using it for just a few months. This durability issue is a little disappointing for a really expensive massager.
2. Belmint Shiatsu Foot Massager with Switchable Heat
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This Belmint foot massager falls under the foot spa category as it also provides heat therapy along with Shiatsu massages.
It uses deep kneading and vibrating motions to deliver highly therapeutic massages. It also comes with a one year guarantee.
Pros
- This massager offers five pressure settings that you can experiment with to find the accurate amount of pressure required to relieve your pain.
- People with large feet need not worry as this massager can accommodate long and wide feet with ease.
- The controls are set on an easy-to-access center console with soft touch buttons.
- This Belmint Shiatsu Massager also allows you to save your preferred massage settings which can be dialed in to activate anytime. This is especially useful if multiple people will be using the massager.
- The heat therapy can be individually activated and can help with the gentle rejuvenation of tired muscles.
- The massager comes with a removable washable cover which makes it easy to clean and maintain hygiene.
Cons
- Customers with highly sensitive pain have reported that even when set on the lowest pressure settings, this massager can cause considerable discomfort.
- If you are planning to buy a foot massager on a shoestring, you may like to explore more affordable options.
3. Aw Kneading Rolling Foot Leg Massager
If you are looking for an electric massager that employs traditional shiatsu and reflexology therapy techniques to relieve pain, this may just be your top choice.
It does so by using two different styles of massaging – rolling and kneading and offers two modes of operation – manual and automatic.
Pros
- This massager is made from high-quality ABS, a high strength material that is also very durable.
- You can choose from three variable speeds – low, middle and high depending on the type and intensity of pain.
- You can also choose the automatic mode available, sit back and let the massager do its thing.
- The Aw Kneading Massager also comes with a remote control so you don’t have to repeatedly bend down to change speeds or modes.
- The massager is ergonomically designed to aim the right pressure points on the heel.
Cons
- This electric foot massager is also on the pricey side. If you have set aside a tight budget for your massager, you may want to look at other options below.
- This massager is available in only one color – red.
- The cord that comes with the massager is not very long and may require you to use an extension cord if the power outlet is far away.
4. TheraFlow Dual Foot Massager Roller
This manual massager made using polished Theaceae wood is a pocket-friendly option that works well.
It has been designed in such a way that it can provide two kinds of massages – acupressure and kneading, just by changing the position and movement pattern of your feet.
Pros
- The modest pricing of this massager makes it easily accessible to all patients of plantar fasciitis.
- The massager is big enough to accommodate even larger foot sizes comfortably and wide enough to massage both feet at the same time.
- Customers have happily reported that the massager does not produce any loud noises even after prolonged use.
- Weighing in at a mere 1.6 pounds, it is easy to carry around with you wherever you travel.
- The quality of wood used is good and durable which means this product will last you a long time.
- TheraFlow sells this massager with a ‘No Hassle Guarantee’. They will replace the product or give you a refund if you are unhappy with it for any reason.
Cons
- If you are looking for a premium or lazy foot massage experience that requires you to just sit back and enjoy, an electric massager may serve your purpose better.
5. DR JK- Plantar Fasciitis
Via Amazon.com
The PedPal kit by DR JK consists of one manual massager, one pair of heel socks and one pair of arch supports.
You have to simply place your heel over the massager for a deep tissue massage.
Pros
- It is an inexpensive massager that doesn’t fail to deliver on its promise of relieving pain due to plantar fasciitis.
- The arch supports that come along with the massager also help deal with the pain significantly. They can be easily strapped on and worn inside or outside the home, with or without socks.
- You can put the massager (small in size) in the freezer before use for cold pain therapy or warm it in hot water to avail heat therapy.
- The whole kit is unisex and the color of the product is neither too masculine nor too feminine.
- The whole kit weighs just 0.3 pounds, which makes the massager ultra-portable, and pain management possible even when traveling.
- Customers of the DR JK PedPal Kit have shared that all the items included in the kit are highly durable, and have suffered no significant damage despite daily use.
Cons
- Being a manual massager, it cannot deliver the comfort of an automatic massage which requires no effort on your part.
Kick Your Foot Pain to the Curb
Before concluding the best foot massager for plantar fasciitis, I would again remind you to consult a healthcare professional to make the right choice for your feet.
Amongst all the mentioned products in this guide, the DR JK PedPal kit offers the best value for money while providing exceptional pain relief with an easy-to-use and simple-to-carry massager.
The additional heel socks and arch supports are good bonuses that also help in pain management. Its modest price makes efficient pain management possible for all those people with a tight budget, as well.
Have you tried any of the listed products here?
Let us know about your experience by leaving a comment below, along with any other questions or suggestions.
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