Have you ever experienced an uncomfortable, lingering achiness or pain in the heel or arch of your foot? If so, you may have experienced plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis relates to the plantar fascia, which is a strong fibrous membrane that attaches the plantar tendon to the heel and toe bones. When the plantar tendon gets pulled it can cause the plantar fascia to become inflamed. Other causes of plantar fasciitis can include being overweight, excessive running, having flat feet, and spending too much time on your feet. Plantar fasciitis is a common condition, but that does not make it any easier to bear.
Luckily there are ways to treat plantar fasciitis, both in prevention and if you are experiencing plantar fasciitis pain. Try these:
- Look for sports shoes with arch cushioning or check into foot orthotics, such as heel pads and/or arch supports to slip into your shoes.
- Before exercising, gently stretch your calf and food muscles.
- If your plantar fasciitis is hurting you, take a break from exercising. Try applying ice 20 minutes three times daily to the arched area of your foot.
- Keep your feet flexible by massaging and stretching your heels and soles. You can easily do this by rolling the bottom of your feet over a tennis ball.
Plantar fasciitis can be very painful, but with awareness and preventative measures, you may be able to keep your heel pain under control.