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Plantar Fasciitis is a condition characterized by pain, inflammation, and sometimes swelling of the plantar fascia. The plantar fascia is a thick band of tissue that supports the arch of your foot as it connects from your heel bone to your toes. If you’ve ever had pain in the bottom of your foot near your heel, you may be suffering from plantar fasciitis. The condition often results from strenuous physical activity, injury, or sudden weight gain. It is also commonly associated with conditions such as flat feet or high arches, which can cause your plantar fascia to become overstretched. You should see a Midtown East plantar fasciitis specialist for diagnosis and treatment if you experience any symptoms.
Symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis symptoms usually start slowly. However, when left untreated, they can get gradually worse over time.
You may feel some pain and discomfort when pressing on the inflamed area. You can also experience the same feeling when taking your first steps in the morning after waking up (aka “morning heel pain”). This is because the plantar fascia is very tight and stiff after you’ve been lying in bed all night. The pain increases as the day progress, especially if you’ve been walking or standing for long periods.
Causes of Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis occurs when the tissue of your plantar fascia becomes stressed and damaged. What causes this tissue to become strained? According to a 2015 study by Western University in Ontario, several factors can lead to a case of plantar fasciitis:
- Walking or running barefoot
- Improper or too much exercise
- Poor foot support (flat or high arches)
- Ankle sprain Heavy lifting and carrying
- Tight calf muscles
- Obesity
- Flat feet
Prevention of Plantar Fasciitis
If you want to reduce your chances of developing plantar fasciitis, there are several measures you can take. First of all, make sure you’re wearing supportive shoes that fit correctly. Don’t wear flip-flops or any other type of shoe that doesn’t provide your feet with the support they need to be healthy and pain-free.
Another key to preventing plantar fasciitis is to start by increasing your physical activity slowly and progressively. If you increase your activity level too quickly, you’ll put undue stress on your feet and legs, which can lead to a case of plantar fasciitis.
To prevent this from happening, start small by increasing the amount of time you spend walking or running a few minutes per day every week or so. If, at any point, your pain gets worse, stop exercising and give your feet some rest.
Once the pain starts to go away (after a couple of days), resume more moderate exercises such as walking for short periods. You can then gradually increase your activity level further when you feel ready.
As far as weight reduction goes, it’s never too late to shed some pounds and get your weight down.
To summarize, plantar fasciitis is characterized by pain, inflammation, and sometimes swelling of the plantar fascia. It presents itself in the form of pain and discomfort in the inflamed area. It mainly comes about when you walk barefoot, exercise too much, or if you are obese. You can prevent it by wearing suitable footwear, losing weight, and exercising moderately.
