Many people suffer from plantar fascia pain that is so severe that it may hinder experiencing everyday things in life. Today, plantar fascia pain is a very common type of foot condition. The discomfort can start as an annoying pain that you feel sometimes, and escalate into an intense pain that is felt every day. Sometimes, pain in the heel can go away on its own, but, if left untreated, the pain in the heel can worsen.
There are usually two places on the heel that people complain of pain, under the heel and in the back of the heel. In most cases, when people suffer from pain in the back of the heel it is related to wear and tear or inflammation of the Achilles tendon. When people feel heel pain, it can be caused by a person stepping on a large stone or rock which bruises the heel, or the plantar fascia can be inflamed. A heel that is bruised from a sharp object will heal on its own over time. Nonetheless, if the foot pain is because of inflammation of the plantar fascia, there are a few things that need to be done to help including exercises for plantar fascitis and orthotics.
The plantar fascia is the soft tissue on the bottom of the foot that connects the heel to the toes. Under normal conditions, the plantar fascia is a flexible and strong section of the foot that helps the foot to hold up our weight and keeps us balanced. If the foot is under abnormal stress, such as excessive body weight, repetitive movements from sports, age or compromised foot function, it can cause small tears in the plantar fascia. These microscopic tears usually occur near the calcaneus bone (heel bone), where they become inflamed and cause pain. If this tissue is stretched repeatedly it can cause the formation of heel spurs. Heel spurs are boney growths on the heel that can be the source of quite a bit pain.
If you are feeling plantar fascia pain, a popular approach to remove the stress on the fascia is to use arch support inserts and do exercises for plantar fasciitis, to help strengthen the foot arch as well. One of the recommended exercises for plantar fascitis is stretching the foot before you get out of bed. The Plantar Fascia tends to tighten during sleep, which tends to cause the strong pain that people feel as soon as they get out of bed. By stretching the plantar fascia before putting pressure on it, you can help reduce the pain that you experience with your first morning steps. Another useful exercise for stretching out the plantar fascia is to place a tennis ball or rolling pin beneath your foot and use your arch to roll it. As this becomes less and less arduous you can try the same exercise in the standing position.
The next helpful thing to do is immediately put on a comfortable pair of shoes and orthotic shoe insoles. This will help to cushion and support the bottom of your foot and help to keep it from more injury. If you utilize the proper exercises for plantar fascitis and arch support inserts, you will see a great improvement in your heel pain. You should really pay attention to your body and if you are feeling foot pain, see a doctor as soon as possible. This will ensure that your pain does not develop into a more serious issue.
