Plantar Fasciitis Treatment
Symptoms, Causes and Treatments
Symptoms
Symptoms of plantar fasciitis include a sharp stabbing pain felt in the centre of the underside of the heel, or at the front or sides of the underside of the heel. The pain is more intense in the morning, at rest, or after sitting for a while.
During rest your plantar fascia shorten and tighten up, this causes more strain on the ligament, with sudden weight-bearing the tissue is traumatised, resulting in a sharp stabbing pain. Once your ligament warms up, it becomes more flexible, eliminating or reducing the pain. However, a long walking or standing for hours will aggravate the area causing pain once more.
Further injury and delayed healing may cause calcium (bone) to form within the plantar fascia. More commonly known as “heel spurs” when occurring adjacent to the heel bone, it has a much longer rehabilitation period. As such, it is important to see your podiatrist for treatment of plantar fasciitis as early as possible.
Causes
While more often associated with impact sports like running and contact sports, plantar fasciitis is also common in individuals with poor foot biomechanics. Other contributing factors include age, weight gain, sustained walking or standing on hard surfaces, poor fitting shoes that offer little arch support, and also prolonged inactivity.
Over-stretching of the plantar fascia is more likely to happen if you:
- suffer from over-pronation (lowering of the arches)
- stand/walk on hard surfaces for long periods
- have gained weight recently
- experience tension in the muscles and tendons of your feet and legs
- are over 45
Lance Penn - Podiatrist, discusses how heel pain can affect your life and what you can do about it.
Treatments
The common treatment methods most podiatrists recommend include:
- regular icing of the area
- rest or reduced activity
- plantar fasciitis insoles
- specific exercises
- footwear recommendations
To prevent future episodes or the development of a heel spur, it is vital to thoroughly assess and correct your foot and leg biomechanics. The most effective solution is to use plantar fasciitis insoles.
Plantar fasciitis insoles control over-pronation and support the arches. They help release the tension on your plantar fascia, thereby treating the cause of the problem and allowing the inflamed tissue to heal much faster.
Are your feet and heels aching? Contact ModPod Podiatry today. Booking your consultation with one of our friendly and professional team will bring you one step closer to relieving those aches and pains so that you can keep up with your busy schedule.
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