How to Maximize the Benefits of the Loft 2 for Plantar Fasciitis & PTTD Relief
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Designed to relieve pain immediately for people with Plantar Fasciitis and PTTD, the Loft 2 Brace is an important first step in self-care. The Loft 2 makes it easy for anyone to replicate the therapeutic benefits of an expert tape job, typically done by physical therapists.
The Loft 2 uses a physical therapy principle called load management. The basic idea is to reduce the load and stress that go through an injured tissue both to reduce pain and give the tissue time and space to start healing.
The Loft 2 reduces the load on plantar fascia and posterior tibial tendon (both of which maintain the shape and shock-absorbing spring of the arch of your foot) by helping lift the arch. When you tighten the laces, the basket-like wires woven into the flexible fabric pull up the arch, and the Arch Power Strap further lifts and secures the arch.
Lifting the arch with the help of the Loft 2 means the aggravated plantar fascia and posterior tibial tendon don't have to work as hard to keep the arch functioning properly.
This is different from orthotics (inserts, or Plantar Fasciitis insoles). Orthotics provide support by pushing up against the arch, but they can’t reduce the load on the sensitive tissues that support the arch, which is what they need to start healing.
We offer four sizes that accommodate a vast majority of foot shapes and sizes. If you are in between sizes, we recommend sizing up. The Loft 2 is adjustable, and you can accomplish a snug fit.
If you have a high arch or wide foot, especially if you are closer to the upper end of the size range, you might also consider sizing up.
The first time you put the Loft 2 on, it can take a few tries to get the hang of it. A few tips for easy donning:
Loosen the laces more than you think you’ll need.
Pull the tongue away to make the opening nice and big.
Once the front of your foot is in, use the tabs on the tongue and back to pull the heel of the brace out and up to fit around your heel.
It’s a lot easier to do while seated!
The Loft 2 is meant to be snug. It shouldn’t be so tight that it cuts off circulation or causes numbness, but it should feel like you have firm support like a professional tape job.
You can wear the Loft 2 during any activities that trigger pain. Listen to your body. Some of you may need it most of the day, especially if you work on your feet and need the support.
Some of our users start off wearing the Loft 2 most of the time when they stand or walk. As pain decreases and the tissue heals, you can gradually reduce usage, wearing it only for high-impact activities like running.
That said, we don’t recommend wearing it all the time. Your feet sweat a lot, and need to breathe. If you need to wear the Loft 2 most of the day, make sure you give your feet the night off.
Wearing socks won’t completely eliminate the efficacy of the Loft 2, but it does reduce the brace’s effect on your awareness of your foot, called proprioception. Proprioception is important during rehab, as it helps you be more aware and intentional about where your foot is and how it’s moving. So, it’s best to choose the thinnest socks you feel comfortable with.
Our Performance Compression Socks are a great option - they’re lightweight and breathable, and help prevent tightness, too.
Especially for people with PTTD, using compression socks along with the Loft 2 can speed up recovery. PTTD is often accompanied by fluid accumulation and swelling around the ankle, which slows down tissue healing. Compression socks can help your body pump out excess fluid, reduce tightness, and accelerate your healing.
The Loft 2 is designed to fit inside your existing shoes. We use strong but low-profile material and design for the Loft 2, with the maximum thickness of just 6 mm.
That said, it doesn’t fit in every shoe. Save your dress shoes and sandals for another time, and wear the Loft 2 inside your adjustable, athletic shoes. Lace-ups and wider shoes are the easiest to fit it in.
Here are a few tips for the first time you wear the Loft 2 in your existing shoes:
Avoid bulky socks.
Loosen the laces on your shoe all the way down to the lowest set of eyelets, not just at the top.
Enlarge the opening of your shoe by pulling the tongue outward.
This is also easier to do while seated.
You may need to try removing insoles/orthotics if things are too tight in your shoe.
You can use them together. In chronic injury recovery, it’s a good idea to reduce the number of variables (changes to your daily routine) your tissue has to accommodate. So, if you’ve been using orthotics, you can start the Loft 2 with them, and once your foot has gotten used to the Loft 2, you can start wearing it without the orthotics.
The Loft 2 has been designed to be worn by itself, and has a built-in base plate for firm but flexible support. Eventually, for best results, you’d want to “graduate” from your orthotics and wear just the Loft 2.
And if you find your Loft 2 difficult to fit into your shoe with an orthotic, try removing the orthotic for an easier fit.
Some of our users like to wear the Loft 2 to bed, like a Plantar Fasciitis night splint. If you use the Loft 2 during the day - whether for short periods of intense activities or prolonged standing - we don't recommend continuing to wear the Loft 2 at night. Your foot needs to breathe a bit!
However, if you don't want to (or can't) use the Loft 2 during the day, you can wear it at night. This can be an effective way to reduce morning heel pain and arch pain, especially with Plantar Fasciitis.
Another good way to deal with morning arch pain? Use the Arch Massager for 2-3 minutes right when you wake up, and massage away that tightness and pain before you take your first few steps of the day.
Replicate a PT tape job: wear the Loft 2 Brace to easily replicate the benefits of low-dye tape job for Plantar Fasciitis and PTTD relief.
Loosen laces & enlarge the opening: both to put on the Loft 2 and fit it into your shoe, loosen the laces on your Loft 2 and your shoe more than you think you need, and make the openings nice and large.
Less is more: Loft 2 is designed to work by itself, and increase your proprioception through sensation. Avoid bulky socks, and if you use orthotics, start the Loft 2 with orthotics, but eventually "graduate" to just using the Loft 2 for best results
Luke Ferdinands, Physical Therapist & Co-Founder
A New Zealand-trained physical therapist with over 20 years of experience, Luke developed the Alleviate Method to bring the gold standard of physical therapy care to everyone's home. Luke leads the development of physical tools and digital physical therapy content, focusing on driving clinical outcomes for people with chronic musculoskeletal pain conditions like Tennis Elbow, Plantar Fasciitis, Runner's Knee, and more.
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