Are you feeling an unexpected, chronic pain in your foot that is making life unbearable?. You may be suffering from plantar fasciitis – a joint muscle strain resulting from a lack of support in your arches and feet.
Plantar fasciitis has become more prevalent post-pandemic as people spend more time at home – and less time wearing supportive footwear throughout the day. Similarly, weekend warriors who spend a lot of time on their feet will suffer from plantar fascia injuries, quite similar to runners who experience pain after long-distance runs!
Plantar fasciitis can be excruciating to suffer through, but there are methods for reducing the pain and get back your quality of life.
In this article, we will take a closer look at plantar fasciitis, the common causes, and how you can get fast relief.
What Is Plantar Fasciitis?
The Plantar fascia is a thick band of connective tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot. Plantar fasciitis describes inflammation of this vital structure in the foot, resulting in pain while walking or running.
Plantar fasciitis pain can range from discomfort to excruciating pain. This pain can impact your ability to walk, run, and even sit comfortably. So it is critical to understand the cause of your plantar fasciitis to move toward long-lasting treatment.
Understanding the 4 Common Causes of Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis will usually start with a sudden onset of pain in the heel of your foot or under the ball of your foot. The most common causes of plantar fasciitis are:
-
Excess Weight or Obesity
Those who carry extra body weight may be placing a significant amount of stress on the plantar fascia, which serves as tension in the bottom of your foot. Fortunately, losing even a small body weight can reduce this stress and relieve some pain associated with plantar fasciitis.
-
High-Impact Activity Strain
One demographic that often deals with plantar fasciitis is athletes. Individuals who run or engage in other activities that require rapid acceleration, deceleration, and sudden changes in direction may often find that they suffer from plantar fasciitis. This added strain on the plantar fascia can lead to inflammation and pain.
-
Flat Feet (Pronation)
Another common cause of plantar fasciitis is flat feet. A person with flat feet will have difficulty distributing their weight evenly, as they do not have an arch to support them. This causes more pressure to be put on the plantar fascia when one steps down on their foot.
Individuals who are flat-footed or collapse the arch of their foot significantly while walking, running, jumping, or standing may be more likely to suffer from plantar fasciitis. Wearing supportive shoes that are designed to help control this collapse can help reduce the effects of plantar fasciitis.
-
Restricted Calf Muscles
While your calf muscles aren’t located in your feet, they can have a big impact on how they feel! Calf tightness can often lead to abnormal foot biomechanics and cause plantar fasciitis.
If you have tight calf muscles, try stretching your calves for 15 minutes at least three times a week. Even small amounts of mobility exercise and stretching can help reduce the impact of plantar fasciitis and bring fast relief.
Not only can your calf muscles impact your feet, but your shoes can also be a culprit. The shoe you wear can impact plantar fasciitis pain. Be sure to avoid wearing shoes that are too small or do not fit properly, and wear the proper arch support inserts if necessary.
Treat Plantar Fasciitis At The Source With Sports & Orthopedic Center
Is your daily life being impacted by the pain and discomfort that comes with plantar fasciitis? Contact the experienced team that Florida trusts for orthopedic help today!
At Sports & Orthopedic Center, our team of healthcare professionals works with patients to help them relieve their plantar fasciitis pain quickly. Our experienced doctors are happy to offer consultations to discover the best method for helping you put an end to your plantar fasciitis for good.
Once in the office, our orthopedic team will work with you to create a custom treatment plan that targets your plantar fasciitis. Together, we will develop a treatment method that will support your heel and foot for long-term relief. We offer the latest in plantar fasciitis treatment, including injection therapies and cutting-edge regenerative medicine options.
Are you ready to finally be free of the pain and nuisance that comes with plantar fasciitis? Click here to visit us online, learn more about our complete suite of orthopedic services, and schedule your first consultation!