If you are in a hurry and just want to find out what the best foot roller for plantar fasciitis is, then I’d recommend the TheraBand Foot Roller Massage Ball as the best one.
Do you feel pain with your first step each day?
If it hurts to walk, the good news is that you need not suffer any longer.
In this review of foot massagers, we tell you what you need to know to shop for the best foot roller for plantar fasciitis.
Here are the top foot rollers for plantar fasciitis we’ll be reviewing:
- TheraFlow Foot Massager Roller
- Trigger Point NANO Foot Roller
- TheraBand Foot Roller Massage Ball
- HealPT Foot Roller and Porcupine Ball
- Foot Log Foot Massager
Best Foot Roller for Plantar Fasciitis Buying Guide
What is Plantar Fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is a term that refers to the swelling of the band of tissue, or fascia, that connects your heel to your toes.
This condition seems to be more common in runners and other athletes whose exercise regimens place excessive pressure on their heels.
Being overweight and wearing shoes that have inadequate heel support also seem to increase your risk of developing this condition.
People whose jobs involve standing for long periods of time tend to develop plantar fasciitis at a higher rate than the general population.
Plantar fasciitis is a common cause of heel pain in persons who are between 40 and 60 years of age.
A person may attempt to alter his or her posture or gait to minimize the pain from plantar fasciitis.
Doing so may cause further pain in the hips, knees or back.
How Can a Foot Roller Help With Plantar Fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis creates inflammation in the tissue of your arches and can cause intense pain.
This condition may also be associated with heel spurs, serving to intensify the pain and discomfort.
A foot roller massages your foot and stretches your arches. Some foot rollers also contain a cooling feature that helps reduce swelling in your arches.
Consistent massage helps to improve blood flow, which in turn reduces pain and swelling.
Used correctly and consistently, a foot roller can increase flexibility, remove tightness and speed the healing process.
What is the Best Way to Use a Foot Roller?
Here are the key points to remember when using a foot roller:
- Apply downward pressure on your foot to get the best massage.
- Place your hands on your knee to help apply downward pressure if necessary.
- Move your foot back and forth on the foot roller to cover the entire area from heel to toes.
- Use the foot roller on a regular basis and about 5 to 10 minutes daily for best results.
What Should I Look For to Find the Best Foot Roller?
Some of the best foot rollers are versatile and can be used to treat a variety of conditions.
Such rollers are often textured to optimize the benefits of massage and may be used for heel pain and arch pain.
Some foot rollers can be immersed in cool water and can be used to treat inflammation of the arches and heels.
Cold therapy massage balls are especially formulated to provide hot or cold massage and are especially well suited for relief of heel spurs as well as plantar fasciitis.
The following general characteristics are important to consider when purchasing a foot roller.
Construction Materials
Rollers that are made of wood may feature a dual massager to treat feet simultaneously.
Dual foot massagers save time and create a balanced experience where both feet receive essentially the same treatment.
Wood models tend to be bigger and are best for large feet.
Rubber and foam are often constructed to massage one foot at a time but have the advantage of greater flexibility compared to wood rollers.
They also tend to be slip resistant and will usually not scratch your floor.
Ease of Maintenance
Wood models tend to age over time, which gives them character. Wood may, however, stain and produces an odor when damp.
Foam rollers may have similar issues with dampness, but will not stain of scratch your floor.
Rubber foot rollers are the easiest to clean and can also be disinfected and deodorized.
These features might make rubber the best choice if you use your foot roller frequently or if the same roller is used by more than one person.
Fit and Feel
If you are already in pain, any roller you purchase should feel comfortable.
You may want to consider size as well as feel and always get a larger roller if in doubt.
Are There Reasons Not to Use a Foot Roller?
If your pain is very severe, you may need to use a boot or a brace to relieve pressure on the fascia. In this case, it may be best to wait until pain levels have stabilized prior to using a foot roller.
Using a foot roller works in the long run but is not a quick fix. This may not be the best choice for you if you are unable to set aside time for regular use.
Massaging and stretching your feet may temporarily increase pain and discomfort, making a foot roller less than ideal for people who have low tolerance to pain.
Best Foot Roller for Plantar Fasciitis
Now that we have discussed how a foot roller can help to relieve plantar fasciitis, let’s jump into our review of the five products.
TheraFlow Foot Massager Roller
The TheraFlow Foot Massager is designed to relieve plantar fasciitis and arch pain by increasing blood flow to the feet and releasing tension in the fascia.
This massager is made of wood and comes with a stable base that holds it in place while you massage your feet. This roller measures about 4 inches and may not be good for larger feet.
The TheraFlow Massager is designed primarily for the arches of the foot and may not be ideal for use on the heels or toes.
There appears to be consensus among consumers who bought this roller that it does work in relieving pain from plantar fasciitis.
Some consumers have reported significant relief after only a week of regular use.
There is a potential issue with the roller sliding while in use but most consumers state that this is not a problem for them.
Other users suggest that the problem can be addressed by using the massager while sitting down or placing it on a carpet while in use.
Pros
- Suitable for high arches
- Lightweight at 4 ounces
- Base holds it stable on a flat surface
Cons
- Some users reported that roller slides
Trigger Point NANO Foot Roller
The Trigger Point NANO is available in regular and extra firm densities and is designed to increase flexibility and to relieve pain in the feet.
Its lightweight and portable construction make it convenient for use anywhere.
The NANO has a foam surface that is designed to simulate the feel of an actual massage and that stimulates blood flow to the arches.
The massage bumps stimulate blood flow to the arches and relieve discomfort.
Most customers rate this product as highly effective and some have reported improvement after 5 minutes of daily use for a few days.
Some customers find this roller difficult to use on wood and tile floors due to its hard plastic wheels.
Possible solutions to this problem include using the roller on a rug and applying silicone or gaffer tape to the wheels to improve their grip for use on any surface.
Pros
- Includes a one year manufacturer’s warranty
- Roller has ample width at 5 inches
- Rolls easily on most surfaces
Cons
- Relatively heavy at 8 ounces
- May be slippery on some surfaces
TheraBand Foot Roller Massage Ball
The TheraBand Foot Roller Massage Ball is intended for use in treating sore feet, heel pain and plantar fasciitis.
It provides a combination of massaging, lengthening and stretching of the fascia for maximum long-term effectiveness.
The foot roller can be frozen to enhance pain relief.
The TheraBand is made of rubber and its hollow core molds to any foot for maximum comfort and benefit.
It has a ridged surface that conforms to any shape and size foot to create a customized experience.
This roller contains latex and may not be a good choice for people who have latex allergies.
It is also difficult to apply enough heel pressure to address spurs and other ailments in this part of the foot.
Pros
- Small and portable
- Easy to clean
- Slip resistant and will not scratch floors
- Exercise instructions are included
Cons
- Does not remain cold for long when frozen
HealPT Foot Roller and Porcupine Ball
The HealPT Foot Roller and Porcupine Ball are intended for use by people who have plantar fasciitis and heel spurs.
These tools provide a combination of stretching and massaging that increase blood flow and provide deep massage.
Some customers have reported that the porcupine ball is overly sharp but that it provides good contact with pressure points to relieve pain of the foot.
It is possible to vary the degree of pressure that you apply to the ball to create a result that is tailored to your experience.
Both products are lightweight and portable and can be easily transported to any location.
The ball and the roller can be used on parts of the body other than the feet, which make them convenient and versatile for total body massage.
Pros
- Both tools can be used on different parts of the body
- Comes with an instruction brochure and product guide
- Roller has an 8-inch wide surface that fits even larger feet
Cons
- Defects have been reported in shape of porcupine ball
- Porcupine ball has been known to break apart
Foot Log Foot Massager
The Foot Log is ideal for use as an all-purpose massager and relaxer. It stimulates circulation to reduce inflammation and relieve tension on the feet.
Some customers report feeling relief after a few days of using the Foot Log for five minutes once or twice per day.
The Foot Log is 13 inches wide and extremely light at only 1.2 pounds. It is constructed of medical grade PVC for durability and ease of cleaning.
Although this product is not specifically designed for any condition, such as heel spurs or plantar fasciitis, customers tend to report that they are satisfied with the capabilities of this massager for relief of foot pain and tension.
Pros
- Extra wide to accommodate larger feet
- Very lightweight at slightly over one pound
Cons
- Product is not returnable
Our Vote for the Best Foot Roller for Plantar Fasciitis
After reviewing these five products, we concluded that the best foot roller for plantar fasciitis is the TheraBand Foot Roller Massage Ball.
This roller features a unique combination of natural rubber and hollow core that make this foot roller exceptionally effective in providing relief from foot pain.
The ability to freeze this roller is a boon to the treatment of foot pain and your purchase even includes an exercise book that is sure to complement your daily regimen.
Using a foot roller, shedding excess weight, wearing shoes that have good support and stretching your arches will all help to speed recovery from this painful condition.
You may want to check out this page from WebMD for more information about ways to ease the discomfort of plantar fasciitis.
