How to Get Rid of Plantar Fasciitis Permanently?

Plantar Fasciitis Overview

Plantar fasciitis is a painful foot condition which affects the Plantar fascia – the fibrous ligament which stretches from the heel bone (calcaneus) to the toes. Its function is to aid stability and to perform shock absorption duties, along with the arch apparatus in the foot. The plantar fascia is a weight-bearing structure and helps to move the body weight from the heel to the toe. It is no surprise that the plantar fascia is prone to injury, having to cope with the full body weight, and the increased forces at work when running and exercising, especially when people are carrying a few extra pounds. The plantar fascia can become inflamed, tear, or even fully rupture, and can be the source of considerable pain. Pain can be experienced under the heel where the plantar fascia joins with the heel bone, in the middle of the foot and the foot arches, and also in a ball of the foot.

The condition often goes hand in hand with heel spurs, which are part of a defense mechanism the body has in response to stress to prevent further injury. When the plantar fascia becomes inflamed or damaged at the site of attachment to a bone, the body lays down calcium deposits around the ligament forming a bony hook, or spur. Whilst this serves to reinforce the area of weakness, it can also be the cause of pain. Heel spurs are present in almost three-quarters of plantar fasciitis sufferers, and whilst the heel spur itself is not believed to be the source of pain, the inflammation of the plantar fascia and tissue around the heel spur can become excessively painful.

After periods of rest the plantar fascia tightens, with the most severe pain felt first thing in the morning after the first few steps are taken. The pain usually eases as the plantar fascia stretches, although can become painful during and after exercise. It is usually eased by taking the weight off the feet. Due to the intense nature of the pain, which for some can be crippling when walking, means that the problem is often reported to a doctor. Although early treatment can prevent permanent damage, the condition can take many months to fully heal, with some suffering for many months.

Fortunately, plantar fasciitis treatment at home is straightforward, with a range of pain relieving products available, with plantar fasciitis exercises used to help stretch the plantar fascia to ease the pain. Night splints are excellent at preventing painful morning plantar fasciitis pain, with heel seats (heel inserts) suitable for treatment throughout the day.

See: Symptoms Of Plantar Fasciitis In The Foot That May Require Immediate Attention

Plantar Fasciitis Treatment

Plantar fasciitis is most common with the over 40’s, with other conditions contributing to the development of the problem such as arthritis, poor circulation, and diabetes. However certain groups within the population are more prone to suffer from plantar fasciitis pain such as athletes, joggers, jumpers, and runners. Plantar fasciitis is considered a fatigue injury, with damage occurring even during quite innocuous training programs taken past the point when the body is too fatigued to perform. When a training program is first started, increased in intensity, or the duration is increased, the body needs to have a period of adjustment, otherwise, the plantar fascia becomes fatigued and fails to function adequately.

Plantar fasciitis is common in obese patients due to the excessive work the plantar fascia has to perform when dealing with excess body weight. Whilst highly fit and active individuals can damage the plantar fascia, those who rarely exercise are also prone to the condition. When the feet are not stretched, even a small increase in exercise or normal walking can cause damage and can trigger the condition.

Common Plantar Fasciitis Treatments

• Heel seats, orthotic inserts, gel seats, arch supports and full or ¾ length insoles
• NSAID’s to control inflammation of the plantar fascia
• Corticosteroid injections
• Plantar fascia and Achilles tendon stretching exercises.
• The plantar fascia is stretched when the foot flattens, so stretching exercises and equipment helps considerably.
• Physiotherapy
• Ultrasound
• Plantar fasciitis shoes

Treatment for heel spurs and plantar fasciitis is the same, with orthotic inserts, heel seats, arch supports and insoles being the most commonly prescribed treatments. Plantar fasciitis shoes are recommended, which help to create a more natural rolling motion of the foot to gently stretch the plantar fascia, and help control pronation, or inward rolling, of the foot.

Many physiotherapists recommend plantar fasciitis exercises, which help to gently stretch the plantar fascia, such as walking barefoot in the soft sand. Rocker soled toning shoes are particularly useful as they simulate this beneficial walking gait.

The condition needs to be medically diagnosed, as whilst one of the most common causes of heel pain, other more serious conditions need to be eliminated and the severity of the problem needs to be assessed. In chronic cases, plantar fasciitis treatment often involves corticosteroid injections, cold therapy, prescription anti-inflammatory drugs, but rarely requires surgery. An x-ray analysis may be taken to help rule out other causes and to check for the presence of heel spurs.

Image Source: PRWeb

How to Get Rid of Plantar Fasciitis Permanently? Last Updated: 25/1/2018

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