Plantar Fasciitis: What It is & How to Treat It

Plantar Fasciitis: What It is & How to Treat It
April 6, 2020
Plantar Fasciitis: What It is & How to Treat It

Plantar Fasciitis Symptoms

You feel it when you roll out of bed in the morning and take your first step. You might check the bottom of your foot, expecting to find a loose nail in your heel. This stabbing pain doesn’t come from what you step on, but what you stepped with. It is the inflammation of your plantar fascia, the tissue on the bottom of your foot that connects your heel bone to your foot. This is plantar fasciitis.

Plantar Fasciitis Causes

plantar faciitis

In many cases of plantar fasciitis, the exact cause is never found. It may be related to stress and tension on your plantar fascia, causing little tears and inflammation. Even without a specific cause, there are common factors that usually play a part.


Factor

Highest Risk

Age

Ages 40-60

Physical Activity

Long distance running, dancing or any other exercise that puts repeated stress on your heel

Type of Foot

Flat feet, high arch or abnormal walking pattern

Weight

Being overweight

Job

Any job that demands standing on hard surfaces for most of the workday 

Plantar Fasciitis Treatment

Conservative treatment is typically recommended and successful for plantar fasciitis. Every patient reacts differently to treatment, but several months of one or a combination of the following treatments usually relieve the symptoms.


Stretching

roller

Calf and plantar fascia stretches have been known to relieve heel pain. For example, a hands on the wall calf stretch and rolling your foot back and forth over a foot roller are popular options.

Massage Therapy

massage therapy

A soothing foot massage using foot balm can also help relieve your pain.

Night Splint

night splint

A night splint keeps your calf and arch stretched while you sleep. It secures the plantar fascia and Achilles tendon in a lengthened position through the night.

Orthotics

orthotic

If you have an abnormal walking pattern, orthotics can change the way you put pressure on your foot, to enable a more even distribution.

IASTM

iastm

Manual therapy or IASTM (instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization) can be an effective way to curb the symptoms of plantar fasciitis as a supplement to other treatments.


If these treatments are not showing signs of improvement after several months, it is possible you may need steroid injections, radial pressure wave therapy or, in rare cases, surgery.

There are typically many causes of plantar fasciitis. But more importantly, there are also many ways to treat the condition, so you’ll be able to jump out of bed again without any problems! Well, at least without any foot problems.

References

Plantar fasciitis. (2019, December 11). Retrieved December 13, 2019, from
https://mayocl.in/39BiijW.

Plantar Fasciitis Stretches to Soothe Heel Pain. (2016, August 8). Retrieved December 13, 2019, from
https://bit.ly/3aF5oS5.

Stewart, D. (2014, November 12). IASTM coupled with manipulative therapy may provide relief from plantar fasciitis. Retrieved December 13, 2019, from
https://bit.ly/2TxuKeV.

Medical Disclaimer: The information provided on this site, including text, graphics, images and other material, are for informational purposes only and are not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other healthcare professional with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition.

Previous article:
Next article: