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One of the most common foot conditions treated by health care providers is plantar fasciitis. The condition usually begins as pain on the inside of the foot, pain in the heel, or both. Pain usually occurs with the first few steps after a period of inactivity or after prolonged periods of weight bearing activities.
A few risk factors have been cited as a cause for plantar fasciitis. These include loss of ankle mobility, specifically the movement when your ankle bends upwards, increased body mass in non-athletic individuals, running, and work-related activities with prolonged weight bearing.
Pain from plantar fasciitis can be significant but there are many useful remedies to reduce pain and improve your daily function. Here are a few things to try before seeking a health care provider:
Reduce weight bearing activities to the point where you have little to no pain when performing
Untuck your bed sheets at night to avoid pointing your foot down
Freeze a partially filled water bottle and roll it on the bottom of your foot
Perform calf stretches
Wear supportive shoes and avoid wearing sandals
If your pain persists, follow up with your physician and ask for physical therapy. A thorough assessment can help us individualize a treatment to address YOUR specific pain complaints. For short term relief, this can include:
Stretching
Orthotics
For long term relief, this can include:
Strengthening
Education on foot wear
Education on activity modification
We’ve treated many patients with Plantar Fasciitis throughout the years and participated in the recovery of this condition. If you, or someone you care about, is suffering with this foot pain, please contact us for help. We are devoted to helping our patients regain their mobility, free from constant pain.