Could your heel pain be due to plantar fasciitis? Find out now from Mullica Hill Foot and Ankle!
Are you currently dealing with heel pain? If your Mullica Hill, NJ podiatrist has told you that you are suffering from plantar fasciitis isn’t it time you found out more about this condition and what you can do to eliminate your symptoms?
Q. What is plantar fasciitis? Heel Pain
A. This foot problem is one of the most common causes of heel pain and occurs when the thick band of tissue, known as the plantar fascia, becomes inflamed. The plantar fascia connects the heel bone to your toes and also provides support for the arches of your feet.
Q. What causes this inflammatory condition?
A. While you may not know exactly what’s caused your plantar fasciitis, your foot doctor may be able to pinpoint the direct cause. Plantar fasciitis usually appears when someone has changed their physical activity. So, instead of running five miles, you may decide you suddenly want to run 10 miles. Or perhaps you’re used to a low-impact elliptical but decided to change up your routine and start running on the beach. Any sudden and drastic change either to the duration or intensity of your physical routine can sometimes lead to plantar fasciitis.
Q. What are the symptoms?
A. The most common symptom of plantar fasciitis is heel pain. The pain is persistent but may wax and wane throughout the day. You may notice the most severe pain happening in the morning when you first start moving around. Over time the pain may lessen, but become exacerbated when standing for long periods of time or getting up after sitting for a while.
Besides pain, those with plantar fasciitis may also notice swelling, stiffness, and limited range-of-motion and mobility due to the discomfort.
Q. How is plantar fasciitis treated?
A. You’ll be happy to hear that this condition usually goes away on its own with time. Of course, there are certain things you can do to help provide some much-needed relief. Here are some of the best ways to handle your plantar fasciitis:
Rest: Try to stay off your feet as much as possible. Avoid high-impact activities and if you really need to work out, then you’ll want to change your routine to only include low-impact exercises.
Wear the proper shoes: It’s also believed that some people develop plantar fasciitis because the shoes they were wearing didn’t provide the proper support and stability needed. Remember that your workout shoes need to be replaced at least once a year.
Stretching and strengthening exercises: There are some exercises you can incorporate into your daily routine to help provide some relief from your plantar fasciitis symptoms. Talk to your podiatrist about which exercises can help reduce your pain and improve mobility.
Orthotics: Sometimes your foot doctor can prescribe orthotics to provide additional shoe support and stability to eliminate your plantar fasciitis. We would be happy to help you determine which kind of orthotics is right for you.
Contact Mullica Hill Foot and Ankle
Your Mullica Hill, NJ podiatrist is always here to provide the care and treatment you need to get back on your feet again and pain-free. Turn to us for all of your foot-care needs.