Plantar fasciitis develops once the plantar fascii that runs from the heel up to the toes in the base of the foot becomes swollen, resulting to pain that can be severe in most cases. Those who are pregnant, overweight, wear shoes that do not have adequate support or taking part in sports involving a lot of impact on the base of the foot face a higher risk for developing plantar fasciitis. If you suspect that an individual has plantar fasciitis, there are several treatment options available to provide relief to the symptoms.
The pain caused by plantar fasciitis is quite evident upon waking up in the morning, especially during the first few steps. Once the individual has walked around for some time, the pain subsides but can flare up again if he/she was seated for some time as well as standing for extended periods.
Exercise
In most cases, a physical therapist will recommend exercises and stretches to help strengthen and lengthen the plantar fascia and the Achilles tendon. This usually involves stretching that works the heels and foot arches. When performing a wall stretch, the individual should place his/her hands on the wall and stand with one foot in front of the other. The front knee must be bent while keeping the back leg straight. The individual will then lean forward until he/she can feel the stretch in the heel, arch and calf.
Medications
The first line of treatment for plantar fasciitis involves over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication to help reduce the pain such as ibuprofen and naproxen. In some cases, corticosteroids are also given either by injecting into the fascia or by the process called as iontophoresis. During this procedure, the steroid solution is applied on the skin and a pain-free electrical current is utilized to promote the absorption.
Splinting
When the individual sleeps, the arches and heels have the tendency to tighten. This can be treated by wearing night splints that were specifically fitted by the doctor. These splints run from the calves down to the feet and can keep the Achilles tendon and plantar fascii in a protracted position while the individual sleeps.
Orthotics
It is important to note that the usual cause of plantar fasciitis is using ill-fitting shoes and poor walking mechanics. When treating this, the doctor will prescribe custom fit orthotics that is placed inside the shoes. These can help displace the weight that pushes down on the feet as well as minimize the pain.
Home remedies
The individual should allow the foot to rest for several days and apply an ice pack for 15-20 minutes at several times in a day. If you want to learn more about the effectiveness of ice, click here. Those who are running should reduce runs ran and look for suitable non-impact exercises to engage in such as biking, swimming, rowing and elliptical training.
Preventive measures
When avoiding plantar fasciits, the individual should avoid wearing athletic shoes that are already worn out and avoid wearing high heels. Additionally, the weight of the individual must be under control to minimize the stress on the arches.