What is plantar fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis happens when the band of tissue (plantar fascia) that stretches across the bottom of your foot becomes irritated and inflamed. The plantar fascia is a bowstring-shaped ligament that connects your heel bone to your toes and supports the arch of your foot.
What are the symptoms of plantar fasciitis?
Pain at the bottom of your heel, or sometimes closer to the midfoot region, is the major symptom of plantar fasciitis. Typically, plantar fasciitis affects one foot, but you can have it in both feet at the same time.
Plantar fasciitis pain usually develops gradually and can range from sharp and stabbing to dull and aching. Most people experience the worst pain with their first few steps after getting out of bed in the morning or sitting down for a long time. Pain tends to flare up just after activity rather than during it.
What causes plantar fasciitis?
The plantar fascia is built to absorb shock and endure a high level of stress, but too much pressure can damage the tissues. Conditions that may increase your risk of plantar fasciitis include:
- Being overweight or obese
- Having structural foot problems like flat feet or very high arches
- Having tight calf muscles or Achilles’ tendons
- Participating in repetitive, high-impact activities like running
Many people with plantar fasciitis also have bony growths on their heels called heel spurs. However, heel spurs aren’t the root cause of plantar fasciitis pain, so removing them usually doesn’t improve symptoms.
What treatments are available for plantar fasciitis?
The team at 43rd St. Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation takes a whole-person approach to treating plantar fasciitis, addressing the underlying cause of your condition to achieve long-term improvement. They thoroughly evaluate your physical condition and discuss your specific symptoms and medical history.
Then, they develop an individualized treatment plan for plantar fasciitis that may include:
- Chiropractic care
- Physical therapy
- Acupuncture
- Custom orthotics
- Night splints
They may also teach you stretching exercises to perform at home to facilitate recovery and reduce your risk of developing plantar fasciitis in the future.
If you think you have plantar fasciitis, call 43rd St. Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, or book an appointment online today.
