Every runner out there has a love-hate relationship with their feet. The feet that get them from point A to point B, but also the same feet that endure the brunt of the repetitive pounding of running. A broken toe, a missing toenail, blister, or even calluses can result from prolonged activity when participating in a daily run or even a race or hike.

Foot pain is a common issue in both novice and advanced runners. In fact, it’s so common that runners typically develop one injury every year, crazy right? It’s really no surprise, runners put their feet through a lot. With many causes for these injuries such as unsteady gait, age, weakened hip strength, or improper footwear, there are often solutions that can reduce or even eliminate your symptoms.

So, you may be wondering as you’re reading this, how do I alleviate my achy feet and treat these injuries? Here at ZenToes we scoured through our extensive selection of podiatrist recommended products and selected a few of our favorites to treat the following common foot conditions.

1. Plantar Fasciitis

One of the most common foot problems runners come across in their lifetime is plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of the tissues that connect your heel to your toes. As plantar fasciitis develops slowly over time, it can produce severe pain in the arch of your foot. What’s the best product to treat this with you may be asking? We have the answer.

ZenToes Arch Support Gel Sleeves are perfect for plantar fasciitis. Made from a soft, flexible gel that comfortably supports your arch, these gel sleeves help to stabilize the plantar fascia, relieving arch and heel pain. Both comfort and support are needed to effectively provide heel pain relief. When paired with proper footwear, our ZenToes Arch Support Gel Sleeves provide the support for your feet to stand on while dealing with this very common foot concern.

An alternative for this problem is one of our favorite products here, our ZenToes Plantar Fasciitis Pain Relief Strips. These easy-to-use strips are effective without being bothersome.

They can be trimmed down to fit the perfect size for your feet and bring you the comfort you’re looking for during your runs or recovery. These strips help by replicating the function of the fascia ligament in order to relieve heel and arch pain caused by Plantar Fasciitis. With this pack of 7 strips, your feet will thank you on your next run.

2. Metatarsalgia

Metatarsalgia is a condition in which the ball of your foot becomes painful and inflamed from consistent pressure when going on runs or hikes. Although generally not a serious injury for many runners, metatarsalgia can sideline you from continuing such activities if not taken care of properly with the right products.

Common symptoms include:

• Sharp or shooting pain in the ball of your foot

• Aching or burning pain

• Tingling or numbness in your toes

• The feeling of a pebble in your shoe

The pain can worsen over time and lead to limping and pain in other parts of your body, such as your lower back and hips.

ZenToes Metatarsal Sleeves with Sole Cushion Gel Pads reduce soreness and discomfort in the ball of your foot. They can also help diminish pain from morton neuroma that can be caused by long periods of standing, running, dancing, or other high-impact activities. The cushioning gel helps to comfort, soothe and balance your feet for all-day relief, whether wearing high heels, running shoes, or loafers.

Achilles tendinitis is an overuse injury of the Achilles tendon, the band of tissue that connects calf muscles at the back of the lower leg to your heel bone.

According to the Mayo Clinic Organization, Achilles tendinitis most commonly occurs in runners who have suddenly increased the intensity or duration of their runs. It's also common in middle-aged people who play sports, cycle or enjoy hiking in their free time.

Although there are many alternatives to treating this type of injury with home remedies, we recommend ZenToes Ankle Compression Sock Sleeves. Our foot compression half socks will provide the support and pain relief you’ve been seeking. Our sleeve supports the arch, heel, joint, and top of the foot to provide pain-relieving pressure that improves natural circulation and blood flow for a more comfortable step in your recovery to your next run.

With injuries being common and recovery, care, and comfort being important, ZenToes is here to provide the support you need to get back on your feet and run with comfort.