Plantar Fasciitis

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Plantar Fasciitis is the most common cause of pain on the bottom of the heel. It involves inflammation of the plantar fascia, a thick, strong band of tissue that runs across the bottom of your foot, connecting your heel bone to your toes.

The plantar fascia supports the arch of your foot and acts like a shock absorber. When this band is repeatedly overstretched or strained, small tears can develop, leading to inflammation and irritation, which manifests as sharp, chronic heel pain.

RECOGNIZING THE SYMPTOMS

Plantar Fasciitis is distinct from other types of foot pain because of the timing and intensity of the discomfort:

First-Step Pain: The pain is typically most severe with the first few steps in the morning after waking up, or after prolonged periods of sitting or rest.
Aching or Burning: The pain usually presents as a sharp, stabbing sensation near the front edge of the heel bone.
Worsening with Activity: The pain often feels better after a few minutes of walking but returns or worsens after standing for long periods or engaging in vigorous exercise.

PREVENTING PAIN AND PROTECTING YOUR JOINTS.

While you cannot always prevent arthritis (especially if it is genetic), you can significantly reduce its impact and prevent further damage.

To protect your foot health:

Choose the right footwear: Avoid shoes that lack support or squeeze the toes.
Maintain a healthy weight: This reduces the mechanical load on your knees, ankles, and feet.
Stay active: Low-impact exercises (like swimming or cycling) keep joints lubricated without causing stress.
Listen to your feet: Do not push through sharp joint pain.

CAUSES AND RISK FACTORS

Plantar Fasciitis is not usually caused by a single injury but rather by chronic mechanical stress and strain.

Common Contributing Factors:

Foot Mechanics: Having flat feet (over-pronation) or high arches changes the way weight is distributed, increasing tension on the fascia.
Obesity/Weight Gain: Increased body weight places greater stress on the plantar fascia.
Age: The condition is most common between the ages of 40 and 60, as the tissue and fat pads naturally lose elasticity.
Occupation: Jobs that require long hours of standing or walking (e.g., teachers, factory workers).
Inappropriate Footwear: Wearing worn-out shoes or shoes with inadequate arch support or cushioning.

TREATMENT AT FOOTCARE ORTHOTICS

Treating Plantar Fasciitis requires patience and consistency. The goal is to reduce inflammation, relieve tension on the fascia, and correct the mechanical issues that caused the injury in the first place.

At Footcare Orthotics, we focus on personalized, non-surgical treatment plans to ensure lasting relief:

Custom Orthotics: This is our most effective tool. We create custom arch supports that are uniquely contoured to your foot. They control abnormal foot motion (like over-pronation) and elevate the arch, which immediately relaxes the tension on the plantar fascia, allowing it to heal.
Targeted Stretching: We teach specific stretches for the calf muscles and the plantar fascia. Tight calves are a major contributor to the condition.
Footwear Assessment and Advice: We provide detailed recommendations for supportive, cushioned shoes suitable for your work and activity levels.
Night Splints: In certain cases, we may recommend using a night splint to keep the foot and calf gently stretched while sleeping, preventing the fascia from tightening overnight.

By combining orthotic therapy with targeted management, we can successfully treat the pain and prevent future recurrence.