Plantar Fasciitis

Do you suffer from intense heel or arch pain? It could be Plantar Fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis is a very painful injury, and the most common cause of heel pain. The plantar fascia is a thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom surface of the foot connecting the heel bone to the ball of the foot. Excessive stretching of the tissue while running or walking can cause tiny tears that lead to irritation, inflammation and pain on the bottom of the heel, the arch of the foot or both locations.

If left unaddressed, plantar fasciitis can cause other conditions like heel spurs. Our heel bone is the largest bone in the foot and absorbs the most amount of shock and pressure. Plantar fasciitis is most painful with your first steps in the morning or after a long rest because the plantar fascia contract and become less flexible while you are off your feet. Just like muscle tissue, the plantar fascia contracts and becomes less flexible when it is cold and inactive. The pain may decrease as the day progresses and the plantar fascia is stretched and warmed up with use. However, the pain may return after long periods of standing, walking or running. This is especially common if you are wearing shoes with inadequate arch support.

Symptoms, Causes and Common Treatments

Plantar Fasciitis

Symptoms

  • Intense pain in the heel and/or arch (of one foot or both)
  • Pain with first steps in the morning or after long periods of rest

    • With Plantar fasciitis, the bottom of your foot usually hurts either on the heel just slightly inward from the center (which is the most common area of pain), or in the arch of your foot (less common), or in both places. The pain is often acute either first thing in the morning or after standing up after being off your feet for a while. Just like muscles, when the plantar fasciia is cold and inactive, it contracts and becomes less flexible. This is what makes that first step out of bed or after resting so painful. After you walk for a while, the tissue warms up making it more pliable and the pain often subsides.

Causes

  • Excessive rolling inward of the foot or over-pronation
  • Tight calf muscles or Achilles tendons
  • Flat feet or high arches
  • Improperly fitted shoes
  • Inadequate arch support
  • Standing, walking or running for long periods
  • Excess body weight

Common Treatments

  • Stretch your feet and legs regularly, especially before standing after long periods of rest
  • Elevate the injured foot
  • Ice and massage your foot
  • Wear a night splint to keep plantar fascia stretched
  • Choose low-impact alternatives to jogging or aerobics
  • Lose excess body weight
  • Add gel heel cups
  • Add arch supports to your shoes
  • Replace shoes that don’t fit or provide adequate arch support

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Foot Solutions Products

  • Supportive athletic, casual or dress shoes
  • Specialty rocker soled shoes
  • Custom-fitted, custom-crafted arch supports (orthotics)
  • Over-the-counter arch supports (orthotics)
  • Night splints, massage tube, warming gels
  • Foot massage balls
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