Best Foot Massager for Plantar Fasciitis – Reviews and Buying Guide 

“I’ve been on my toes all day”… “These ankles are taking strain”… “My legs and feet are killing me!”

No doubt you’re guilty of uttering at least one of the above at some point during the chaos of your week. But what many people fail to realize is that most foot discomfort is not actually a result of direct strain on the afore mentioned areas (toes, ankles or arch). It’s rather because of repetitive strain on the central ligament found in the sole of the foot.

This ligament is responsible for connecting the heel to the toes. And this condition is called plantar fasciitis.

Plantar Fasciitis Diagnosis & Symptoms

What Causes Plantar Fasciitis?

A good way to comprehend this type of strain would be to imagine the bow of a violin and the tightly wound strings that form the shock-absorbing band. A similar contraption exists underneath the foot; tightly wound tissue and tendons that form the whole ligament & absorb all shock that the foot encounters.

When the ligament encounters too much shock or strain it can form small rips and tears but will generally heal quickly. Repetitive shock or strain, however, will cause the ligament to become overwhelmed and inflamed as a result. Runners will often suffer from plantar fasciitis at some point in their running career.

Once this happens the accompanying heel pain will show itself in random bursts, usually early in the morning or after periods of rest. The chronic pain is also usually worse after any form of exercise, but generally won’t be experienced during the activity. In fact, it is largely concluded that exercises that involve a lot of use of the heel are usually responsible for the onset of plantar fasciitis.

Those most at risk for plantar fasciitis are individuals between the ages of 40 and 60 who have unusual foot mechanics such as abnormally high arches or flat feet. People struggling with obesity are also high risk due to the strain of the weight being held by the foot.

Massage Away the Pain

This is a sleek and compact design electric shiatsu foot massager in charcoal grey. It features multi-level settings and deep kneading function at a voltage ranging between 110 and 240.

Shiatsu is a form of ancient Japanese practice involving similar principles of acupuncture. Pressure is applied to specific points of the body with the intention of relief from pain, inflammation and tightness. This unit was created to replicate this style of massage.

While this particular shiatsu foot massager only fits up to a size 12 foot, it has adjustable heat settings that make it further recommended to anyone suffering from heel and foot aching. The unit is fully portable which is ideal for sufferers of plantar fasciitis. They can easily make use of it at home or at the office as needed.

Not as compact as the previous unit from the same brand, but rather a far more holistic experience. It’s designed to replicate the sensation of being in an actual spa receiving a professional need kneading foot massage.

Again, with deep kneading shiatsu massage in mind, this electric massager markets itself as a 360° massage experience that operates on five strength pressure settings. The unit is not solely restricted to use on feet and can be adjusted & set up in ways that provide upper leg massage experiences as well as foot and ankle options.

The deep kneading shiatsu-massager is open ended, meaning there’s no cap on foot size. This unfortunately also makes the unit quite bulky with little to no way of porting it around to different locations or using it on the go.

Just because you don’t have hundreds of dollars to spend on treatment doesn’t mean you need to suffer from the chronic pain of plantar fasciitis in silence. Simply opt for a budget-friendly foot massager that is void of bells and whistles & focuses solely on the task at hand—or rather foot.

The Nekteck Foot Massager is perfect for those who are on a tight budget. Even though it’s inexpensive it features a sturdy build, slim profile and appealing black design that will perfectly match most interiors. It is made from thick plastic and the footbed area is coated with a fine mesh for added comfort.

Six massager heads with 18 rotating nodes effortlessly target your pain and provide instant relief. The Nekteck Shiatsu Foot Massager has three adjustable height levels so you can be as comfortable as possible as well as a manual heat setting that activates the emission of a mild heat for safety purposes. A built-in cord storage and carry handle coupled with its lightweight properties make the Nekteck Foot Massager exceptionally portable & even easier to store when not in use.

Believed by some to be the absolute fastest and most targeted form of relief from plantar fasciitis, the manual foot massager is a mechanism that has long withstood the test of time. It’s generally comprised of a series of wooden beams and spiked rollers. The Theraflow dual foot massager roller is intended for the user to roll their heels and under-feet over it, backward and forth hitting all the trigger points, until desired relief or relaxation is achieved.

This system is very different from other electronic massagers because it only focuses on the underside of the foot, not the foot as a whole. It’s perfect for the heel pain related to the plantar fascia. It’s lightweight, wooden nature makes it simple to clean and carry around.

A chamber-based design in which both feet are inserted into the system and movement occurs solely inside. Thanks to this the Zyllion foot massager is compact and movable. 

The Zyllion’s main feature is its soothing heat function - a definite benefit to the plantar fasciitis condition and helping improve blood circulation. The system operates anywhere between 110 and 240 volts and has an auto shut off feature which allows the user to use the device while going to sleep. However, the pockets can only fit up to a size 12 foot.

Are you looking for targeted plantar fasciitis relief? You may just find it in the Naipo Shiatsu Foot Massager with Heating function. The device boasts a stylish slate gray color and soft mesh footpads with red-backlit illumination.

It features 18 nodes that target specific acupoints in the feet for ultimate relief and relaxation. The Naipo Foot Massager has adjustable modes and users can adjust the heat settings as they wish. A 10° angle means you can use this massager comfortably while sitting at your desk or lounging in your armchair.

What we love about this product is that the power button has been specifically designed for toe-touch operation—so there is no need to bend down! Its ergonomic design makes the Naipo Shiatsu Foot Massager suitable for usage on different sizes of feet and no matter your shoe size you can enjoy the benefits of using it. What seals the deal is that this device is portable and can be used in any location that has a power outlet. 

Does your pain typically strike while you’re on the go? The PUREWAVE™ CM-07 has got you covered. The contemporary white and gray design of the PUREWAVE™ CM-07 means you can pull this out of your purse or gym bag & not receive a doubletake from passers-by.

It features dual motors of vibration and percussion that are powerful enough to provide deep tissue massages & gentle enough to perform Myofascial massages. It comes with 6 massage heads that allow you to massage more than just your feet, which makes this incredibly versatile.

Using the PUREWAVE™ CM-07 is easy. It has a long ergonomic grip handle that allows users to get to those hard-to-reach spots comfortably. Although at times you may struggle to reach your exact plantar problem area seeing as it is a full-body massager, most people find the relief targeted. On top of its sleek design and lightweight properties, the PUREWAVE™ CM-07 is cordless which means it is completely portable. 

Why settle for only a foot massager if you can get relief across both the foot and calf areas? That’s what the FIT KING Leg Air massager does and it comes in the form of a comfortable, soft-to-the-touch boot. You simply wrap the parts around your feet and legs. The kit includes extension pieces, making it a practical air massager for anyone with calves up to 28.5”.

You can better manage the blood pressure & circulation no matter where you are, even while sitting at your office desk. The range of 10 different massaging techniques and three different intensity settings can help relieve stress in the legs and feet, even for extreme cases of plantar fasciitis. The air pressure in the interior bags help massage the muscles effectively.

You control your air massager with a hand controller so you can sit back and relax while adjusting the treatment. The leg massagers can use one of two types of massage techniques so you can tailor your session to your needs.

FIT KING also ensures your safety with a 20-minute auto shut off feature. If you fall asleep during the treatment, there’s no risk. Note that it does work best when you fit it on both feet and be sure not to cut of circulation by making it too tight.

Because this is a flexible kit you can easily store it in a suitcase, making it one of the most portable plantar fasciitis treatment options on our list. 

This RENPHO model has multiple features that can help you with increasing blood flow and treating symptoms of plantar fasciitis. There’s a rotation ball and it has a heat function along with a rolling stick. The massage type is also effective, since it’s well known how deep kneading Shiatsu treatments bring relief for this condition.

The massager covers both the bottom and the top of your feet when you insert them. This results in a comprehensive treatment from all sides, optimizing blood circulation. You’ll also love that you can wash the removable pockets to keep your foot massager hygienically clean.

Anyone with a foot size of 12 or smaller can use it, but with smaller feet you may have to press down in order to get optimal treatment. You can change the squeezing settings to suit your preferences. It’s easily managed via remote control or a control panel on the unit. You can easily reach the touch buttons with your toes for effortless adjustments.

Note that it doesn’t heat up quickly, so you’ll need a 30-minute treatment to get the benefit of the warmth. This is part of the safety features though, so it’s not all bad news. 

It’s completely normal to have questions when it comes to conditions like plantar fasciitis and how to treat them. We’re here to help you find answers to those frequently asked questions.

How long does it take for plantar fasciitis to go away?

Without treatment, plantar fasciitis can take up to 18 months to go away on its own. But that period of time is likely to be an immensely painful and uncomfortable one, so we recommend treating it. The right approach can reduce this time down to a mere six months.

Massagers like the ones featured on our list and certain stretches & flexes can help 97% of plantar fasciitis cases to reach treatment goals faster. 

Are electric foot massagers good for you?

Absolutely! Electric massagers are most definitely good for you and your feet. A foot massager machine helps to reduce tension, soothe chronic pain, stimulate the muscles, promote better blood flow and improve overall circulation. As such, they are perfect for treating and managing plantar fasciitis.

Electric massagers are more efficient than manual massagers. Why? Because you don’t need to physically exert yourself to use them. Exertion could lead to even more muscle strain and aches, so better to avoid it. As is the case with the treatment of any condition, be sure to consult with your doctor or healthcare provider before using an electric foot massager for your plantar fasciitis. 

What’s the best foot massager for large feet?

Final Thoughts:

Ultimately each plantar fasciitis patient will have to assess their personal needs in seeking out the right foot massage unit to incorporate in their life style. While narrowing down the search some helpful questions to ask oneself would be:

• Do you intend to use the device solely at home, or would you like to take it on the go?
• Will you always have access to a power source when you need to use the unit?
• What is your budget?
• Would you like a unit that provides additional heat settings?
• What size foot do you need to accommodate?

The market for foot massagers is wide and can become overwhelming when one’s specifications are not clearly laid out. The above questions will help you choose the best foot massager for plantar fasciitisfor your unique needs. Do you have more questions? Please leave a comment below.

The good news is heel and foot pain relief and healing for your plantar fascia are accessible within the comfort of your own home. Get yourself a foot massager today.