Plantar Fasciitis

If your heels and arches hurt when you first step out of bed in the morning then you may have plantar fasciitis. It may take 4-6 months for the pain to go away but there are things you can do to cope with the pain and heal faster.

The plantar fascia is  a series of ligamentous band structures that connect your heel to your toes. The function of the plantar fascia is to support the arch of the foot while walking. You will notice that as your toes lift off the floor that your arch is accentuated. This is the tightening of the plantar fascia. When the plantar fascia is irritated or inflamed it leads to pain in the heel and arch.

Sometimes this condition is caused by overuse, or excess tension in the plantar fascia. Other factors may contribute such as  improper footwear, flat feet, excessive pronation, or  high arches. If your calf or foot muscles are weak or your feet are not flexible you may develop the condition. Runners frequently suffer from plantar fasciitis if they increase their distance or the intensity of their workout too quickly.

To help manage the pain and inflammation it is important to apply ice several times a day. Your doctor may prescribe antiinflammatories and over the counter or prescribed orthotics may help depending on what is causing your plantar fasciitis. Your physiotherapist will administer ultrasound and electrotherapeutic modalities to assist in the management of the pain and inflammation. He will assess your biomechanics to determine the likely cause. The physiotherapist can also apply tape to immediately remove stresses from the fascia and give you immediate pain relief.

Remember, this information is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. If you have pain it is important that it be properly diagnosed by a medical professional.