Did you recently go to the doctor with severe foot pain because you couldn’t get relief? Was the diagnosis plantar fasciitis? Or, did you look on WebMD and see that your symptoms match plantar fasciitis?
If your answer is yes to any of the previous questions, then this blog post may help you overcome this common foot condition. Proper treatment is paramount. And though it can be extremely painful at times, receiving the right care for plantar fasciitis can gradually alleviate much of the discomfort. So let’s get started.  Â
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What Is Plantar Fasciitis?
As one of the most common adult foot pains, plantar fasciitis often begins in the heels. It is a chronic inflammation. You may start noticing severe pain when you first walk in the morning. This isn’t always the case for everyone and symptoms will vary, but the feeling is common.
The pain can easily become more severe if the condition is left untreated. In this case, you will find that walking is difficult due to the pain, which may lead to utter inactivity, which will cause other health issues. On the other hand, it’s important to keep in mind that plantar fasciitis is an easy foot problem to treat.
What are the Symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis?
The following are a few common symptoms prominent in those with plantar fasciitis:
- Having pain or foot stiffness in the morning. This can also happen after resting your feet for a certain period.
- Pain worsens if you stand on your toes or when you climb stairs.
- Foot pain associated with standing for a long time.
- Sharp pain while exercising. This pain may go away after a short time or continue to get worse as you continue the workout.
If you experience any of these symptoms, pains or discomforts, please see a medical professional. A doctor will diagnose you and offer different treatment methods for your feet.Â
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How Is It Treated?
Plantar fasciitis is treated in a variety of ways depending on the level of pain and severity of the specific condition. The range of recovery options can be anything from surgery to simple stretches or over-the-counter products. In fact, home treatment for plantar fasciitis is extremely common and may be the initial recommendation from your doctor. There is no single “best treatment for plantar fasciitisâ€, as the condition’s severity varies case by case, but new shoes, morning stretches and a healthy lifestyle always helps.
For example, your doctor may have you purchase new footwear for plantar fasciitis that will fit you properly and offer significant support. Often, these shoes are built with additional arch support and biomechanical footbeds that help realign your feet and lower limbs to a healthier, more natural position. This will help both alleviate your current pain and prevent future discomfort. Alternatively, insoles and custom orthotics are a viable option if your condition is more severe.
Your doctor may even suggest you wear a night splint to help keep your foot supported as you sleep. These ingenious products have been designed by orthopedic profession in order to relieve the morning foot pains.Â
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How to Exercise with Plantar Fasciitis?
Stretching exercises for plantar fasciitis can be an effective tactic for relieving the pain. Here are a few common stretches we recommend:
- Use a wall or towel for calf stretching. The wall is a great way to stretch when you are walking around. Simply place your toes on the wall and stretch your calf muscles out. This will help relieve pain in your heel and arch. If you are in bed and about to get out, consider getting a towel to do a similar stretch. Wrap a towel around your arch and gently pull your foot towards you. As with all exercises, if you start feeling pain, ease off.
- If you have good coordination, you can also do the stair stretch. Simply hang your heels off the edge of a step and gently push your heels towards the ground. Always do this on the bottom step to avoid falling down the stairs.
- While not a stretch, getting a ball to rub on the bottom of your foot will help relieve tension built up from plantar fasciitis. Simply place a small ball, such as a tennis ball, under the arch of your foot and gently move your foot back and forth.
The Orthotic Shop has many shoes available for those suffering from plantar fasciitis. If you have any questions, please contact us – we’ll be happy to answer any questions you have and make shoe recommendations for you!