Your plantar fascia is a strong band of tissue inside the bottom of your foot that connects your heel to the front of your foot and helps support your arch. When this tissue becomes inflamed, the result is a painful condition called plantar fasciitis that affects more than 2 million Americans annually.
David J. Kaplan, DPM of FootCare Specialists, Inc. in San Mateo and Half Moon Bay, California, has extensive experience in diagnosing and treating plantar fasciitis.
Think of your plantar fascia as a shock absorber in your foot. When your plantar fascia is irritated and inflamed, it can’t absorb shocks. Certain underlying conditions can contribute to plantar fasciitis, including:
If unsupportive shoes are the culprit, consider investing in a comfortable, supportive pair of shoes with arch supports. We might also suggest orthotics if flat feet contribute to your discomfort.
An inflamed plantar fascia is tight and inflexible. If it’s painful to step out of bed in the morning, try doing a few stretches — before you even place your foot on the floor. Here’s what you can do. Sit up in bed and cross your bad leg over your good leg. Grab the toes on your affected foot
Slowly and gently, pull your toes closer to you. You should feel a controlled stretch of the plantar fascia. Hold the stretch for a count of 10 and release. Repeat the stretch up to 20 more times before you get out of bed
It’s common to experience foot pain if you’re on your feet all day. If you must stand for long hours at work, try taking a few breaks to rest your feet. You can complete the foot exercises mentioned above while you’re resting your feet, too.
It’s also essential to take rest days during athletic training. For example, if you’re running every day, be sure to take a day to rest and recover. Adding too many miles too quickly can put a lot of strain on your feet.
Stiff night splints or braces can keep your foot in the appropriate position while you sleep. The splint is designed to gently keep your plantar fascia stretched so that the morning pain is diminished.
Radial pulse therapy (RPT) is a breakthrough remedy that helps heal plantar fasciitis and other forms of foot pain. The technology uses low-energy pressure waves that penetrate the body’s soft tissue to stimulate its natural healing response. Many patients begin feeling relief after the first treatment, and typically multiple treatments are needed for optimum benefit.
Don’t suffer with plantar fasciitis pain. Get relief and reclaim your life. To explore your treatment options, call either of our offices or book an appointment online today.
