What common condition might heel cups help alleviate?

Heel cups are specifically designed to provide cushioning and support for the heel, which can be particularly beneficial for conditions like plantar fasciitis. This condition involves inflammation of the plantar fascia, a band of tissue that runs across the bottom of the foot and connects the heel to the toes. The pain from plantar fasciitis typically presents as sharp heel pain, especially in the morning or after long periods of sitting.

Using heel cups can help by reducing the impact on the heel during walking and standing, thus alleviating the discomfort associated with this condition. The cushioning effect of the heel cups diminishes the stress on the plantar fascia, allowing for better support and potentially enhancing the healing process. Their design can also add a slight elevation to the rear of the foot, which may help in redistributing pressure across the foot and relieving tension on the heel.

In contrast, while heel cups might offer some level of comfort for conditions like flat feet, Achilles tendonitis, or Morton's neuroma, they are most notably effective for plantar fasciitis due to the specific mechanism of pain related to this condition.