As many runners, cyclists and other endurance sport athletes can attest to, plantar fasciitis is a painful inflammatory condition causing heel pain and some people heal spurs, both of which can be very detrimental during regular activities. Treatment of plantar fasciitis is essential for most people who encounter this condition.
Plantar Fasciitis Symptoms:
There are many symptoms that are associated with plantar fasciitis. The main symptom is pain that is felt on the underside of the heel or foot. Usually the pain is described as a sharp stabbing pain at the bottom of the heel or the front of the heel bone. Most often this pain is associated with the first couple steps after getting out of bed in the morning or after relaxing for a long time. It can also be associated with long periods of weight-bearing or sudden changes in weight. In most cases it is most severe right after body weight is put on the foot and the tendons in the foot but during periods of inactivity goes away, sometimes resulting in a dull ache.
What Causes Plantar Fasciitis:
Be main symptom of plantar fasciitis is caused by abnormal pronation of the foot. This is when weight is placed on the foot when it is at an angle, instead of flush to the ground. There many contributing factors including, obesity, weight gain, jobs that require you to be on your feet for extended periods of time, worn shoes, shoes with little foot support, or inactivity followed by sudden bursts of activity.
The over pronation, results in the plantar fascia (which is the band under the foot) to be stretched, resulting in severe inflammation, irritation, and pain at the attachment point of the fascia (on the heel). Some people report pain in the arch of the foot as well. It is the continual pulling of the fascia on the heel bone, that will eventually lead to the development of a bony growth on the heel, called a heel spur. This can occur in extreme cases of plantar fasciitis
The reason that plantar fasciitis causes pain specifically in the morning, is that when your at rest, the plantar fascia tightens and shortens. Once pressure is put on the foot, the fascia must then stretch and lengthen quickly causing little tears in the fascia and pain. After moving for a couple minutes, the fascia is warmed up, so the pain can usually subside to a dull ache.
Plantar Fasciitis Treatment and Relief
Luckily there are plantar fasciitis treatments. Most are standard treatments for injuries, but there are special things you can do to speed up the results, and using the FlexMassager can help. To begin with, follow these basic pain relief solutions and include the FlexMassager for improved recovery.
The 3 most common treatments include:
- Rest - keep off your feet as much as possible especially when running or walking
- Ice - apply ice for only 5 min. so that inflammation and swelling will decrease
- Stretching - the FlexMassager allows you to stretch your plantar fascia by rolling the large ball underneath your foot. This releases tension in the plantar fascia, reducing pain and inflammation. Using the large ball 5 min. per day on each foot will significantly reduce the amount of pain and inflammation associated with plantar fasciitis, and for a much lower price than custom insoles.
There are many treatment options and you should consult your doctor is the pain does not subside. For more information, join our mailing list for new articles on treating plantar fasciitis. Also, check out the instructional video for more information on how to use the FlexMassager.
