Plantar fasciitis is the usual cause of heel pain. Many individuals will experience plantar fasciitis at some point in their lives. The condition refers to inflammation of the plantar fascia which is a durable tissue that connects the base of the toes to the heel bone. The plantar fascia also supports the arch and stabilizes the foot.
What are the causes?
Many experts are not precisely sure what causes plantar fasciitis. An individual is at higher risk for developing the condition if:
- Overweight or obese since the added weight places pressure on the fascia
- Having low arches (flat feet) or high arches
Apply an ice pack on the heel to minimize the inflammation. It should be applied for 20 minutes at a time at 3 times throughout the day. - Walking or standing while at work especially on hard surfaces while wearing non-supportive shoes.
- Running or walking as the main form of exercise
Do I have plantar fasciitis?
The characteristic symptom of plantar fasciitis is heel pain that worsens when getting out of bed in the morning.
It might even flare up after being seated for extended periods of time or after exercise. There is also tenderness on the foot arch. Walking might momentarily reduce the pain since it stretches out the fascia.
Treatment
In most cases, many individuals have significant relief within 2 months of treatment. The commonly used treatment options include the following:
- Changes with the footwear used especially those that have good arch support and a slightly elevated heel. These can help relieve the pressure off the plantar fascia. In some cases, specialized shoe inserts called as orthotics are also beneficial.
- Apply an ice pack on the heel to minimize the inflammation. It should be applied for 20 minutes at a time at 3 times throughout the day.
- Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications can be given to alleviate the inflammation and pain in the foot.
- Stretching is one of the ideal remedies for plantar fasciitis.