Plantar Fasciitis
Do you suffer from intense heel or arch pain? It could be Plantar Fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis is a very painful injury, and the most common cause of heel pain. The plantar fascia is a thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom surface of the foot connecting the heel bone to the ball of the foot. Excessive stretching of the tissue while running or walking can cause tiny tears that lead to irritation, inflammation and pain on the bottom of the heel, the arch of the foot or both locations.
If left unaddressed, plantar fasciitis can cause other conditions like heel spurs. Our heel bone is the largest bone in the foot and absorbs the most amount of shock and pressure. Plantar fasciitis is most painful with your first steps in the morning or after a long rest because the plantar fascia contract and become less flexible while you are off your feet. Just like muscle tissue, the plantar fascia contracts and becomes less flexible when it is cold and inactive. The pain may decrease as the day progresses and the plantar fascia is stretched and warmed up with use. However, the pain may return after long periods of standing, walking or running. This is especially common if you are wearing shoes with inadequate arch support.
What is Plantar Fasciitis? Transcript
(This transcript is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read or seen on this website. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor, go to the emergency department, or call 911 immediately.)
Hello, I’m DonnaRobertson, Head of Training and Chief Pedorthist for Foot Solutions, a foot wellness retailer specializing inexpertly fittedfootwear and custom crafted orthotic insoles.Today we are going to discuss probably the most common foot pathology we address at Foot Solutions: Plantar Fasciitis.If you suffer from intense heel or arch pain, especially after long periods of rest, you may be suffering from a common foot pathology called Plantar Fasciitis (inflammation of the fascia).We all rely on the plantar fascia,a thick, strong, band of connective tissue that begins (origin of attachment) at your heel (calcaneus bone) and runs along the bottom (plantar) surface of the midfoot and full length of the foot connecting the heel bone to the ball of the foot (insertion at the metatarsal bones).The plantar fascia is in usefor every movement involving the feet for daily function and activities.The plantar fascia has lots of purposes, but two main purposes have to do with foot support and walking. This fibrous connective fascia works like a spring assisting in supporting the arches of the foot directing and propelling you forward while walking.Excessive stretching of this tissue while running or walking can cause tiny tears that lead to irritation, inflammation and pain on the bottom of the heel,the arch of the foot, the ball of the foot or all three locations. The bottom lineis this: plantar fasciitis is very painful and can be debilitating.As you engage in walking function, the area of the plantar fascia that experiences most of the acute pressure and stress, is at the insertion (connection) to the heel base or to be more specific, on the inside of your heel (medial heel). Our heel bone is the largest bone in the foot and absorbs the most amount of shock and pressure. If left untreated, plantar fasciitis cancause other conditions like heel spurs.
With Plantar fasciitis, the bottom of your foot usually hurts either on the heel just slightly inward from the center (which is the most common area of pain),or in the arch of your foot (less common), or in both places. The pain is often acute either first thing in the morning or after standing up after being off your feet for a while. Just like muscles, when the plantar fascia is cold and inactive, it contracts and becomes less flexible. This is what makes that first step out of bed or after resting so painful. After you walk for a while, the tissue warms up making it more pliable and the pain often subsides somewhat. The symptoms may decrease as you perform an appropriate calfstretch to eliminate the tension/stress of the plantar fascia. However, the pain may return after long periods of standing, walking or running. This is especially common if you are wearing shoes with inadequate heel and arch support.In two follow upvideos, we will explore seven common causes of plantar fasciitis, how to treat the root cause of it, and how Foot Solutions can help.To learn more or to schedule a visit with one of our in-store certified Pedorthists, visitwww.footsolutions.ca. Your feet are the foundation of your health. Let us take care of them for you.
11 Common Treatments for Plantar Fasciitis Transcript
(This transcript is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read or seen on this website. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor, go to the emergency department, or call 911 immediately.)
Hello, I’m Donna Robertson, Head of Training and Chief Pedorthist for Foot Solutions, a foot wellness retailer specializing inexpertly fittedfootwear and custom crafted orthotic insoles. In a previous video, we discussed the definition and common causes ofPlantarFasciitis. Today we are going to discuss howPlantarFasciitisis treated and how Foot Solutions can help.The treatments forPlantarFasciitisare numerous, many of which simply require expert knowledge and the discipline to follow through. Here are elevent ways we’ve identified to help prevent and alleviate pain fromPlantarFasciitis:1.Stretch your feet and legs (calf stretch) regularly, especially before standing after long periods of rest. Calf and Hamstring tightness plays a specific role in the development and causes ofplantarfasciitis.2.Elevate the injured foot when possible.3.Ice and massage the arch of your foot.4.Wear a night splint to keepplantarfascia stretched and avoid walking barefoot5.Wear supportiveplantarfasciitissocks, such as the OS1st sock we have here. These socks are specifically designed for the foot suffering from this pathology.6.Choose low-impact alternatives to jogging or aerobics7.Lose excess body weight8.Add gel heel cups 9.Add arch supports to your shoes. Because flattening of the foot during walking triggers pain by overstretching the planter fascia, supportive insoles designed to maintain heel position with the medial longitudinal arch during ambulation are preferred.10.Avoid walking barefoot; and11.Replace shoes that don’t fit or provide adequate arch support.Selection of appropriate footwear offering hind-foot control, mid-foot firmness for stability and increase toe spring to aid in toe off during gait are preferred.Foot Solutions addressPlantarFasciitisvictims probably more so than any other ailment associated with the foot. Our board certified foot specialists can expertly fit you in footwear, socks, and custom designed orthotic insoles that will prevent and alleviate problems arising fromPlantarFasciitis. In addition, we carry supportive house shoes and specialty rocker soled shoes that will further reduce your pain and keep you healthy and comfortable on your feet.To learn more or to schedule a visit with one of our in-store Pedorthists, visitwww.footsolutions.ca. Your feet are the foundation of your health.Let us take care of them for you.
What is Foot Solutions? Transcript
(This transcript is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read or seen on this website. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor, go to the emergency department, or call 911 immediately.)
For over 20 years, Foot Solutions has been evaluating, solving, and preventing foot and joint issues for people just like you.Our highly trained board certified foot specialists are available at our retail locations to expertly fit you in a truly custom orthotic and recommend the perfect footwear from our collection of stylish international brands.We are proud to have thousands of positive reviews online, evidencing the care and attention that defines our service. At Foot Solutions, you will meet men and women passionate about foot and joint health and eager to provide you with a meaningful, first-class experience.Come into Foot Solutions and see for yourself how visiting with one of our specialists can improve your quality of life.
Symptoms, Causes and Common Treatments
Plantar Fasciitis
Symptoms
- Intense pain in the heel and/or arch (of one foot or both)
- Pain with first steps in the morning or after long periods of rest
With Plantar fasciitis, the bottom of your foot usually hurts either on the heel just slightly inward from the center (which is the most common area of pain), or in the arch of your foot (less common), or in both places. The pain is often acute either first thing in the morning or after standing up after being off your feet for a while. Just like muscles, when the plantar fasciia is cold and inactive, it contracts and becomes less flexible. This is what makes that first step out of bed or after resting so painful. After you walk for a while, the tissue warms up making it more pliable and the pain often subsides.
Causes
- Excessive rolling inward of the foot or over-pronation
- Tight calf muscles or Achilles tendons
- Flat feet or high arches
- Improperly fitted shoes
- Inadequate arch support
- Standing, walking or running for long periods
- Excess body weight
Common Treatments
- Stretch your feet and legs regularly, especially before standing after long periods of rest
- Elevate the injured foot
- Ice and massage your foot
- Wear a night splint to keep plantar fascia stretched
- Choose low-impact alternatives to jogging or aerobics
- Lose excess body weight
- Add gel heel cups
- Add arch supports to your shoes
- Replace shoes that don’t fit or provide adequate arch support
Find your local store to speak to a Foot Solutions Expert
Find a Store Near YouFoot Solutions Products
- Supportive athletic, casual or dress shoes
- Specialty rocker soled shoes
- Custom-fitted, custom-crafted arch supports (orthotics)
- Over-the-counter arch supports (orthotics)
- Night splints, massage tube, warming gels
- Foot massage balls