Plantar fasciitis pain is usually worse in the morning and can make each new day seem like a trial. This searing foot pain can make even basic tasks hard to bear.
Luckily, plantar fasciitis is a condition that has many treatments.
Drs. David Gelbmann and Ramsha Ali Tanwir at Gelbmann Podiatry in Chicago, Illinois, have the experience, resources, and technology to help relieve your foot and ankle pain.
Here are the best solutions for treating plantar fasciitis pain.
Plantar fasciitis explained
To understand plantar fasciitis, it helps to know something about foot anatomy.
The plantar fascia is a tough band of tissue running along the bottom of your feet, from your heels to your toes. The tissue’s primary job is to support your arches, allowing you to walk, run, and jump.
If the plantar fascia is strained, it can develop small tears that cause inflammation and pain. The pain is worse in the morning because tissue tightens overnight. Stretching is the first thing you should do in the morning if you have plantar fasciitis.
If your condition is bad enough, however, the tissue might not stretch, leading to heel pain that can last all day.
Plantar fasciitis can also lead to heel spurs, which add to the pain.
Available treatments
Alleviating pain is the first step in treating plantar fasciitis. Applying ice and taking anti-inflammatory medications are good for temporary pain relief.
However, removing pain doesn’t address the root issue, tears in the plantar fascia. Here are some solutions to that problem.
Stretch properly
If your plantar fascia feels taut and sore, stretching each day can alleviate pain. It’s important to stretch properly. Your doctor can show you how to safely and productively stretch this area.
Stop running
Whatever you’re doing that tears the plantar fascia, stop. Until you heal, you have to give up running, jumping, or lifting.
Try regenerative medicine
Regenerative medicine speeds the recovery process. Platelet-rich plasma and similar therapies encourage your body to heal more quickly, repairing tissue tears and helping you walk and run without pain.
Use custom orthotics
Custom orthotic inserts can redistribute your weight and support your foot, taking the strain off your plantar fascia and giving it time to heal.
If you’re struggling with heel pain, it’s important to seek a diagnosis and treatment plan from a specialist as soon as you can. Left untreated, plantar fasciitis pain can change the way you move and keep you from exercising, one of the best things you can do for your body.
To schedule an appointment with the doctors at Gelbmann Podiatry, call the office most convenient to you or use our online booking tool.