FAQ Contents
Alleviate System for Plantar Fasciitis
Have questions which are not answered below? Try our foot pain quiz, check out our resources, reach out to us here, or email us at info@alleviatetherapy.com!
General
What is Alleviate’s shipping policy?
For orders over $125 shipped to the contiguous United States, we offer free shipping. For Alaska and Hawaii orders, we offer flat rate shipping.
For a guaranteed express service, we recommend the Guaranteed 2nd Day (UPS) option. All other shipping methods are not guaranteed.
We do not offer international shipping at this time.
What is Alleviate’s return policy?
We want you to be completely satisfied with your purchase. If for any reason you are not happy with your physical product, you can return it within 30 days of the delivery date for a risk-free exchange, or a refund to your original form of payment. Please note that if you choose a refund, $15 will be deducted from the refund amount to cover return shipping and processing.
To arrange an exchange or return, please reach out to our team at info@alleviatetherapy.com. We’ll be happy to help you out! Simply package your item(s) and apply an Alleviate-supplied return label.
Can I pay for Alleviate products with my FSA/HSA card?
Yes! For most Alleviate products, you can use your FSA or HSA card as a payment option in checkout, like any other credit card. The exceptions are the Recovery Balm and Guided Recovery Programs.
Why isn’t my FSA/HSA card payment going through?
If your purchase includes the Recovery Balm or Guided Recovery Programs, your FSA/HSA card payment won't go through, because these products are not eligible.
FSA/HSA cards may be declined when there are insufficient funds in an account or new cards have been issued. If you are having trouble paying with your FSA or HSA card, reach out to your employer or plan administrator. In most cases, the phone number for your plan administrator can be found on the back of your FSA or HSA card.
How can I contact Alleviate with other questions?
We'd love to hear from you. To get in touch with our team, fill out this form or email us at info@alleviatetherapy.com.
Alleviate System for Plantar Fasciitis
How do I know the Alleviate System will work?
Take the foot pain quiz here to see which Alleviate tools are the right fit.
Each component of the three-part Alleviate System (Loft, Arch Massager, and Plantar Fasciitis Guided Recovery Program) has been designed by experts to recreate proven professional techniques for healing plantar fasciitis. The system is designed to be comprehensive: it relieves pain immediately and transforms the structure of your arch over time so you can stay pain-free in the long term.
We give you every tool you need to treat plantar fasciitis at home: the Loft brace relieves pain immediately by reducing stress on the injured tissue in your plantar fascia; the Arch Massager breaks up injured tissue & promotes healing throughout the plantar fascia; and the Guided Recovery Program ties everything together, and offers customized rehab exercises to rebuild your arch and stay healthy in the long term. If something doesn't work out for you, get in touch -- our products are backed by research and our risk-free guarantee.
Loft Brace
How does the Loft brace work?
The Loft's three key components work together to provide relief by unloading the stress on your plantar fascia.
- The Dial Lacing System offers a precise and performance-ready fit. The laces act as a suspension bridge, lifting the arch for immediate pain relief.
- The Arch Plate is anatomically designed to adapt to the structure of your foot with a reinforced basket-weave pattern for sturdy yet pliable support
- The Heel Pad creates extra cushion for the part of your foot that can hurt the most, eliminating those painful first steps in the morning.
How is the Loft different from a traditional orthotic or compression sock?
The Loft combines the benefits of a compression sock & a traditional orthotic at an increased level of efficacy & usability. The Loft is designed to simultaneously provide compression & relieve the load on your plantar fascia, while offering a performance-ready fit which can be adjusted on the go without removing your shoe. Loft lifts your arch, fits in almost all shoes, and delivers in 3-4 days (unlike custom orthotics).
How do I use the Loft?
Pull the Loft on and tighten the dial lacing to a comfortable level that feels snug, then go about your day! You can wear the Loft in existing shoes, with or without an existing orthotic, and with or without socks. Wearing socks with Loft can help you get Loft on/off more easily, and is more comfortable for some people. If you do choose to wear a sock, we recommend thin socks -- the thinner the sock, the better you'll be able to feel your foot & get re-accustomed to using it to its fullest potential as it heals.
Will the Loft fit in my shoes?
Yes, the Loft fits in most shoes. We designed the Loft with low-profile, breathable materials so it can be worn whenever and wherever you need support.
Loft is hard to pull on and off; what should I do?
Check out this tutorial:
The Loft brace mimics an expert tape job, so it should feel snug. The brace was designed to hug and support your foot, so it may be hard to take off at first.
If you’re concerned about breaking it, don’t be! The Loft is made with durable materials and tested by elite athletes.
Don't give up! Make sure to put it on and take it off twice before deciding it won't fit. It does "break in" substantially after the first on-and-off process.
If you get your Loft on, walk around in it, and think you have the wrong size, feel free to reach out to us here.
Can I wear this with my existing orthotics? Should I?
As you’re introducing the Loft to your daily routine, we suggest changing one factor at a time in general as a safe practice. If you already use an orthotic, try Loft with your orthotic in your shoe to start (many orthotics are bulky -- there may not be enough room for both devices and in some cases, you may have to take out the orthotic). As you grow accustomed to the Loft and your pain diminishes, you can begin to wear it without the orthotic.
Can I wear Loft while I sleep?
You can wear the Loft while sleeping, and some users have found this beneficial for pain relief. However, your feet produce sweat during the day and night, and it’s important to give your foot a break from this environment so that you don’t damage healthy skin. Always inspect your feet before and after use of the product.
What size Loft should I order?
You can find our size chart here.
How should I wash Loft?
You can machine wash Loft on a delicate cycle and air dry! Do not tumble dry Loft.
Arch Massager
What does the Arch Massager do?
The geometry of the Arch Massager is precision-engineered to help you massage painful spots at home with the same amount of pressure created by steel Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Massage tools.
Can I overdo it?
Yes. Our recommendation is 2-3 minutes per session, 2 times per day. Excessive massage risks further stress on damaged tissue. You should feel some discomfort, but not pain, during or after massage; pain is the sign you may be overdoing it. Note: we do not recommend the Arch Massager for people with impaired sensation in feet.
What should I expect to feel?
When you apply the right amount of pressure to create a change in your damaged tissue, you may feel some discomfort, but you should not be in pain. Many of our users describe the “hurts so good” feeling that you get from a deep, targeted massage.
How / why does this work?
Our patented self-massage tool is engineered to help you heal faster by delivering a recreation of a professional-grade sports massage. This methodology boosts circulation, breaks up scar tissue, and aligns your muscles and tendons. The dual-arch design targets specific points of the foot at the right angles with the right level of pressure to promote healing.
Guided Recovery Program
How do I access the Alleviate App?
You'll access the Plantar Fasciitis Guided Recovery Program in the Alleviate App on iOS/Android devices. Once you complete your purchase, you'll receive an email from us with step-by-step instructions for downloading the Alleviate App and accessing the program. You'll log into the App, using the email address you used for your purchase.
What should I expect from the Guided Recovery Program?
Your Guided Recovery Program is a digital physical therapy program that guides you to full, sustained recovery, every step of the way. The program gives you a clear roadmap to reach your goal and shows you what to do each day, so you can get back to doing what you love as soon as possible. It integrates a six-level, progressive strengthening program, and if you have other Alleviate products, the program will show you how those fit into your recovery plan.
Can I repeat my Recovery Routine on the same day?
No. Once you complete a Recovery Routine for a given day, you cannot repeat it. This is purposeful - just like your physical therapist wouldn’t have you do unlimited repetitions of a given exercise, we thoughtfully meter the amount of stress that runs through your body.
How do I move up a level in the program?
Every few days, after completing your Recovery Routine, your Guided Recovery Program will ask you if you are ready for more challenging movements. Say “Yes” to level up in the program. Only say “Yes” when you are ready! You cannot level down.
How do I move down a level in the program?
You cannot. If you find that a particular level is too difficult, just do your best in the strengthening exercises. Over time, you’ll work your strength up to overcome this next level of challenge.
Is there a way to reset my progress in the program?
Please reach out to our customer service team at info@alleviatetherapy.com for assistance.
Can I change my functional goal?
Once you set your functional goal, you won’t have an opportunity to change it. Keeping variables constant, your functional goal will be set for the remainder of the program, unless you reset your Guided Recovery Program.
Can I change when I receive push notification reminders?
At this time, push notifications are set for 12pm local time and cannot be adjusted. We’re always working to improve our experience so if you have feedback, please share it with us at info@alleviatetherapy.com.
Why don’t I see tasks for my Loft or Loft 2 in the Guided Recovery Program?
Since your Loft and Loft 2 are designed to be worn any time you might experience pain, there isn’t a specific “task” to assign to them. Simply wear them when you feel you’ll benefit from their support! However, try to not wear the brace(s) when completing your strengthening tasks. Those are best completed barefoot to ensure you are properly stressing the tissue and muscles in your foot.
How often should I be using the program?
You'll have a recovery task every day, although it won't take more than 15 minutes per day! As long as you have a recovery routine for the day, you should fire up the Alleviate App and use your Guided Recovery Program.
I want to buy the Guided Recovery Program as a gift for someone. How can they access it without my email address?
You can gift the Guided Recovery Program in two ways:
- Complete the checkout process using the gift recipient’s email address. Be aware that the recipient will immediately receive order-related email notifications from Alleviate after you complete checkout.
- Complete the checkout process using your own email address. After you’ve placed the order, send a request to info@alleviatetherapy.com so we can assist with granting your gift recipient access. Please include the order # and recipient’s email for faster processing.
This process is irreversible. Once an order is transferred to your gift recipient, it cannot be transferred again.
Can I request a refund for my Guided Recovery Program?
No. Standalone purchases of a Guided Recovery Program are not refundable. If you purchased a bundled product that included access to the Guided Recovery Program, you are eligible for a full or partial refund of that order.
