What to Do About Plantar Fasciitis Pain

If you’re experiencing pain in the foot, chances are you’re suffering from plantar fasciitis, as it’s one of the most common causes of heel pain. The good news is that this pain doesn’t last forever, and there are ways to treat it. 

Plantar fasciitis inflammation involves the thick band of tissue that runs across the bottom of each foot, connecting the heel bone to the toes.

Plantar fasciitis pain typically happens in the mornings when you wake up and take your first steps. The more you move throughout the day, the more the pain decreases, but you can still experience the pain after standing for long periods of time or standing again after sitting for a long time.

No one wants to deal with the pain and struggle of inflamed heels, and rightly so. Double board-certified podiatrist Eric Gilberston, DPM, FACFAS at Renew Foot & Ankle, LLC, helps you manage chronic foot pain, including plantar fasciitis, so you can improve your quality of life and enjoy physical activities with less discomfort.

Causes of plantar fasciitis 

Tension and stress on the plantar fascia, the tissue connecting your heel to the base of your toes, can cause tiny tears. These small tears ruin the support of the foot arch that absorbs shock when walking, which is why you’ll feel tons of discomfort when you walk. If you repeatedly stretch and tear the fascia, you can irritate or inflame it. However, the actual cause remains unclear in many cases. 

You’re at an increased risk of developing plantar fasciitis if you are between 40 and 60 years old, have flat feet, a high arch, or an atypical walking pattern, or participate in an exercise that places a lot of stress on your heels, like running or dancing. Obesity also increases your risk of developing plantar fasciitis.

How to heal plantar fasciitis pain

There are several options to treat plantar fasciitis pain, so if one method doesn’t work, try a different one to help ease your discomfort. For starters, those suffering from plantar fasciitis will recover conservatively in several months when treating the affected area, including icing and stretching it, staying off the area, or changing their activities. 

You can also try using different forms of therapy, including:

• Physical therapy
• Night splints 
• Orthotics
• Walking boots, canes, or crutches 

While trying these methods, you can also lessen the pain with over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen and naproxen sodium.

If none of these do-it-yourself methods work, you can turn to more intense methods offered at Renew Foot & Ankle, such as injections, surgery, ultrasonic tissue repair, or extracorporeal shock wave therapy.

There is no reason to suffer from plantar fasciitis. Renew Foot & Ankle can help you deal with this issue and help you get the solutions you need. Call the office in Grand Rapids or Bigfork, Minnesota, or book your consultation with Dr. Gilbertson using the online scheduling tool now.