Plantar Fasciitis Treatment

Plantar Fasciitis Treatment: What is Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar Fasciitis is a condition in which the plantar fascia becomes inflamed and irritated. The plantar fascia is a relatively inflexible, thick fibrous band of tissue that extends from the heel to the ball of the foot and is a supportive platform for the arch. Movements such as walking or running stretch the plantar fascia and can cause small tears, which lead to inflammation and pain. When you walk, your weight is distributed across your feet, but any imbalances in alignment and the mechanics of your foot can eventually cause pain. High arches, flat feet, or even the surface you are walking on can cause poor mechanics.

Which Plantar Fasciitis Treatment Should I Consider?

The most effective plantar fasciitis treatment for the most common causes of plantar fasciitis  are arch supports or orthotic insoles that you insert into your shoes.  The issue is usually associated with abnormal foot mechanics alignment such as high arches, overpronation, or flat feet.  This means that the best plantar fasciitis treatment option will control or accomodate mechanics and alignment, which also means arch supports (orthotic insoles).

Another potential plantar fasciitis treatment would  be a night splint. Night splints work to provide a gentle stretch to your plantar fascia while you sleep. This controlled stretch keeps the plantar fascia from tightening up overnight and is a common way to alleviate the early morning pain individuals with plantar fasciitis often experience.

Footwear is also a big part of plantar fasciitis treatment. Shoes that do not fit properly or that require forcing your feet into a cramped space can be the cause of plantar fasciitis and other foot problems. Choose your shoes wisely.

If you have ongoing problems with heel and arch pain, talk to your doctor about plantar fasciitis and he or she may refer you to a pedorthist or podiatrist.

Temporary Plantar Fasciitis Treatments

There are a few things you can do yourself to provide temporary plantar fasciitis treatment. First of all, when your foot is painful, you can ice the affected area to numb the nerve endings and take the inflammation down. If you are carrying extra weight, losing it can be considered a plantar fasciitis treatment because it decreases pesssure on your feet.

Massaging the arch area of the foot and completing stretching exercises for the plantar fascia and the calf muscles can also be used as a treatment for plantar fasciitis. Avoiding activities such as walking or running helps the healing process, but can often be a difficult treatment if your work requires you to be on your feet. If you must walk or complete specific activities a good plantar fasciitis taping technique can be used to provide support to the plantar fascia. You can also see a physical therapist or physiotherapist for plantar fasciitis taping and exercise techniques and modalities to relieve pain and inflammation.

More Invasive Plantar Fasciitis Treatment

Corticosteroid injections are occasionally used as a treatment for plantar fasciitis, but, this is usually combined with foot orthotics designed to correct biomechanical deficiencies if you do not want the problem to return.

A "last resort" plantar fasciitis treatment is surgery. Plantar fasciitis surgery is not a common treatment as only about 5% of people with the condition require it, provided no other plantar fasciitis treatment has been successful. The surgery involves fully or partially cutting, or detaching the plantar fascia from the heel bone. This decreases the tension of the fascia, taking away the pain. Like with the use of steroid injections, the underlying alignment problems must also be addressed.

Where to Get Plantar Fasciitis Treatment

If plantar fasciitis is your problem, your doctor will determine what action must be taken for you to receive the appropriate plantar fasciitis treatment. They will often send you to a pedorthist or podiatrist for foot orthotic insoles.  These are the best treatment for plantar fasciitis in the majority of cases and should be considered along with any other forms of treatment to correct biomechanical issues and prevent the return of plantar fasciitis.

To see our recommended line of foot orthotics, Click Here: Arch Supports