There is nothing worse than having sore feet to the point where it merely hurts to do our daily activities. If you suffer from this and the pain persists, you may have Plantar Fasciitis.
We’ve narrowed down the best plantar fasciitis treatment, and hopefully, after a few months of regular exercise and therapy, you’ll be comfortable on your feet again!
Causes and Symptoms
Pain and inflammation in your fascia can be caused by your foot’s natural shape or structure. It can also be caused by the type of shoes you wear and even a sudden increase in your activity levels.
The amount of weight you carry can cause Plantar Fasciitis, and the type of surfaces you generally run, walk, or stand on can also cause it.
You will start to feel increasing pain in the heel of your foot, and the pain is generally worse after long periods of being inactive, or it can worsen after being active.
Treatment Options
There are numerous ways to treat Plantar Fasciitis, and you simply need to find the one that works for you and best eases your pain.
Rest, Orthotics, and Activity Modification
Keeping all stress and weight off your foot can make a big difference, especially during your healing. Some doctors may recommend heel cups, shoes with proper arch support, or some other orthotics to help cushion your heel. Arch support orthotic insoles will relieve the tension on the plantar fascia and allow it to heal.
Athletic tape is excellent for supporting the ligaments and muscles in your foot. Doctors may also suggest using a more shock-absorbent exercise surface. Wearing night splints is an excellent way to keep stretching your foot during the night.
Rest is vital for healing, so decreasing the duration and distance of your running, walking, or any activity is a great way to treat your foot. And if you are one to exercise, try swimming or cycling instead of running or jumping.
Physical Therapy and Stretching
We cannot recommend stretching enough, and it is one of the best ways to treat Plantar Fasciitis Focus on your Achilles tendon and the plantar fascia.
You can also see a physical therapist; they will show you exactly which exercise to do. Physical Therapists may also use contrast baths, massage, and ultrasonography, which aid with long-term healing.
It would be best if you repeated the exercises daily. They will also strengthen the muscles in your lower leg, which will help you better stabilize your ankle.
Shockwave Therapy
Shockwave therapy is a form of therapy where high-energy or low-energy shock waves are delivered to a specific area in your body. The waves trigger a healing response in your body by creating a microscopic trauma.
The waves help stimulate blood flow; they stun your nerves, stop the pain, and help the tissue in your foot heal.
Medication and Icing
Nonsteroidal and anti-inflammatory medication can help ease the pain. Your doctor may prescribe you some to take daily for a few weeks. And simply icing the spot on your foot that hurts can also help with the inflammation and pain.
Gastrocnemius Recession
Surgery is highly unlikely, but there are some rare cases where it is a good option. The surgery is called Gastrocnemius Release or Gastrocnemius Recession. The surgery aims to lengthen your gastroc tendon, part of the Achilles tendon.
Studies have shown a connection between the tension in the plantar fascia and the tension in your Achilles tendon.
The surgery is offered to people in extreme cases or people who have a tightness in their tendons and calf muscles. This is known as equinus contracture. The tightness often leads to the inability of being able to hold ones foot in the neutral position.
Steroid Injections
Plantar Fasciitis will usually improve after continuous stretching for a couple of months. If the symptoms still persist after a few months of treatment, steroid injections may be a good option, decreasing the inflammation.
The steroid will be injected into the part of your plantar fascia that hurts the most. It will likely ease your pain for a month or so.
Final Thoughts
Plantar Fasciitis can be painful, frustrating, and disruptive to our day-to-day lives. Thankfully there are multiple treatment options, no matter how severe your case is! Something as simple as a few habit changes can make a big difference.
If you happen to feel any pain in your foot, get it checked out sooner than later. It is always best to treat something in the early stages. So, follow our advice and treatment options, and you’ll be pain-free and good to go in no time.
