Do you have heel pain??

Are you suffering from heel pain first thing in the morning or after periods of rest? Those first painful steps can be debilitating. The most likely cause for this pain and one of the most common conditions we treat as podiatrists is plantar fasciitis.

I know, big word right??….. the plantar fascia is a strong, thick band of connective tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot from your heel to your toes. Plantar fasciitis is a painful inflammatory response in this connective tissue.

What are the symptoms?

The main symptom of plantar fasciitis is pain under the heel, which can be dull or sharp. However, plantar fasciitis can also be felt in the middle of the arch or in the forefoot.

The pain is often worse:

· in the morning, as you take your first steps

· after prolonged standing or sitting

· after intense activity

Causes of plantar fasciitis

There are many factors that can contribute to plantar fasciitis and for the condition to be resolved the underlying contributing factors need to be addressed. These factors include but are not limited to:

· footwear

· increase in activity or excessive activity

· occupation

· age

· weight

· foot posture /biomechanics (eg flat feet, tight muscle groups)

Treatment

Addressing your heel pain is important because when left untreated or not managed properly it can become a long term/chronic condition and then take even longer to get better.

There many options for treatment of plantar fasciitis but below are some of the common:

· Ice: Ice is a great way to keep inflammation at bay

· Massage: We usually recommend a tennis ball or massage ball to massage the fascia by rolling your foot over the ball, this in turn helps to reduce the tightness in the fascia

· Dry needling: This is a great way to get quick results with tight muscle groups releasing

· Stretching and strengthening: Sometimes different muscle groups can become out of balance depending on your posture and biomechanics - stretching and strengthening exercises can be given

· Strapping and orthotic therapy: Depending on your foot posture, you may require the aid of strapping or orthotics to help correct your gait

If you think you may be suffering from plantar fasciitis, book an appointment with one of our podiatrists where you will have a comprehensive assessment. Footrix Podiatry- Keeping you on your feet.