Plantar Fasciitis 101: Everything You Need To Know
What is Plantar Fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is a common foot problem affecting the plantar fascia, which is a band of tissue connecting your heel to your toes. The plantar fascia supports the arch of your foot and helps you walk. Injury to, or inflammation of the plantar fascia causes a lot of pain and discomfort in your foot.
You might develop plantar fasciitis for many reasons, such as wearing shoes that don’t fit well or don’t have enough support, standing on your feet for too long, being overweight, having tight calf muscles or your feet having a high or flat arch. The main symptom of plantar fasciitis is a sharp pain in your heel or along the bottom of your foot, especially when you wake up in the morning or after sitting for a long time.
What is the treatment for Plantar Fasciitis?
The good news is that you can treat plantar fasciitis at home with some simple remedies and exercises. Here are some of the things you can do to ease your pain:
- Rest your foot and avoid activities that put too much pressure on it, such as running or jumping.
- Apply ice to your foot for 15 minutes several times daily to reduce inflammation and swelling.
- Regularly stretch your calf muscles and plantar fascia to improve flexibility and blood flow.
- Wear shoes that are comfortable and have good arch support and cushioning. You can also use orthotic inserts or heel pads for extra comfort and support.
- Massage your foot gently with your fingers or a tennis ball to relieve tension and stimulate circulation.
- Take over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen or naproxen to ease the pain and inflammation.
If these home remedies don’t work or your pain worsens, you should see your podiatrist for further evaluation and treatment. They may prescribe stronger anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy, cutting-edge technology like radial pulse therapy or RPT, steroid injections, or even surgery.
Plantar fasciitis can be painful and frustrating, but with proper care and attention, you can recover from it and enjoy your life again. Thank you for reading, and stay tuned for more!
The foot experts at Desert Podiatric Medical Specialists in the Tucson, Oro Valley, and Green Valley areas of Pima County, Arizona, have unparalleled experience treating all aspects of foot and ankle care. If you have any questions or concerns or would like to make an appointment, please call (520) 575-0800.
