What is Plantar Fasciitis?
If you feel that nagging pain in your foot (especially after you wake up in the morning), and that just doesn’t go away, then you might have plantar fasciitis.
Plantar fasciitis is a painful condition that affects the tissue that connects the heel to the arch of the foot.
This flat band of ligament is called the plantar fascia, and occurs when this fibrous tissue becomes weakened and inflamed due to microscopic tears which happen over time.
People suffering from plantar fasciitis will most commonly experience a tight, painful sensation in the heel and sole of the foot when standing or walking. Oftentimes, the pain is at its most severe during the morning, or after long periods of sitting or resting.
Plantar fasciitis is a chronic condition
By “chronic condition,” it means that by the time you are experiencing plantar fasciitis, there has most likely been damage going on for some time. But you don’t have to worry — the good news is that this condition is both very common and highly treatable. So if you’re suffering from it and you’ve just landed on our website, you’ve come to the right place!
What causes plantar fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is simply caused by either chronic or sudden overuse of the plantar fascia. This ligament is the main weight-bearing component of the foot’s structure, and is therefore vulnerable to excessive pressure. This makes many different kinds of people susceptible to this affliction.
Runners and other athletes are prone to plantar fasciitis, as are people who stand or walk for long periods at work.
Additionally, rapid weight gain can put stress on the plantar fascia, and women who wear high heels frequently are also susceptible to this condition.
Signs and symptoms of plantar fasciitis diagnosis, and treatments
Due to the many kinds of foot pain, plantar fasciitis is best diagnosed by an orthopedic specialist.
People who try to diagnose this condition in themselves can easily confuse plantar fasciitis with arthritis or other conditions such as bone spurs or tarsal tunnel syndrome, because the symptoms are pretty much similar.
A doctor will examine a patient’s walk and stance, and take an x-ray for a more definitive diagnosis.
Healing Plantar Fasciitis
Some home remedies for plantar fasciitis
Fortunately, there are many different kinds of treatments for plantar fasciitis, and these can be done both professionally and at home.
There are also a couple of stretching exercises that can greatly facilitate and speed up the healing process.
Most remedies can be done easily and cheaply at home.
- First and foremost, you should cut back on rigorous and intense physical activities, so that you will allow your foot to heal. This can alleviate pain enormously.
- Athletes who suffer from this ailment should immediately stop strenuous workouts until the condition is corrected to avoid further injury.
- Frequent application of an ice pack to the heel is recommended in order to relieve inflammation.
- Do any or all of these above-mentioned tips, along with short course of anti-inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen.
If you suffer from acute plantar fasciitis you should try looping a towel under the toes and the ball of the foot and pulling upward gently, stretching the heel and calf area.
Alternatively, placing the toes vertically against a wall or step and leaning inward also provides the same kind of stretching.
Individuals who suffer from plantar fasciitis should also try these stretches first thing in the morning, and then at hour intervals throughout the day. If nothing seems to help it and the pain still remains, it is advisable to contact your medical advisor.