The human foot absorbs a lot of pressure from the body. Whether athletic strains or heavy body mass, the muscles can sometimes be taxed and become inflamed. Plantar fasciitis is one of the foot conditions caused by this.
What Symptoms Can I Expect?
The most common symptom of plantar fasciitis is heel pain. Standing for long periods of time is difficult, and walking is painful. Shooting pain through the back of the heel is caused by swelling of the plantar fascia muscle that stretches from where it meets the heel to the ball of the foot, just behind the toes.
What Causes the Condition?
People who suffer from high weight gain are prone to the condition, especially when calf muscles are not properly exercised regularly. Athletic individuals, such as runners and dancers who frequently impact their feet against a sturdy surface, may experience these frequent sharp, shooting sensations as well. People suffering from plantar fasciitis find it painful to take the first few steps in the morning after a long night's rest.
The plantar fascia muscle runs beneath the foot's arch and may cause problems for people with flat feet or high arches. People who often run around barefoot or wear high heels are more likely to suffer from the condition than those who wear sensible shoes with arch support and comfortable orthotics.
The Best Soltuions
The best way to ease the pain is for someone to stay off their feet as much as possible and elevate the ankles and feet. After visiting a doctor, the patient may try a number of remedies for plantar fasciitis treatment.
Ice or cold packs will alleviate some pain. Another method is to roll a chilly can of beer or soda on the back of the swollen legs, calves or bottom of the feet to stretch the muscle while reducing the swelling.
Some people find overnight relief from specially designed braces that gently stretch the plantar fascia while providing support for the foot, calf and ankle. Simply avoiding constant pressure and weight on the foot allows it to heal. This is difficult or impossible for people that must be on their feet all day or cannot avoid walking for a long period of time. Those with a high body mass index may find relief by losing weight. This reduces the amount of weight and stress on the feet and connective tissue.
Specially designed shoes that provide cushion and absorb impact are helpful in healing the condition. Arch support and protection work, as well. Heel cups, for example, raise the back of the foot to reduce the amount of pain caused at the back of the foot. Shoe inserts that cover the entire bottom of the insole also assist some patients by providing comfort and relieving pain.
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