Treating Plantar Fascitis
Do your feet hurt when you make the first steps after getting out of bed? Plantar fasciitis is a condition affecting the feet’s sole or plantar. Although the name sounds like a guy digging holes in the ground and waiting for something to grow out of them, it is not actually as funny as it might suggest.
To understand plantar fasciitis better, it is best if we know what each word means. “Plantar” simply refers to the foot’s bottom part or flexor surface. “Fascia”, on the other hand, is the band of tissue which connects the toes to the heel bone. And “ittis” is a term that suggests inflammation. Thus, plantar fasciitis is all of those meanings put together – an inflammation of the sole, particularly, the heel.
The people who are likely candidates to have this condition are women, those who are overweight or obese, and those who do a lot of standing or walking. There are actually several factor which cause plantar fasciitis. Other possible reasons for the condition include: lack or absence of calf muscle flexibility, significant changes in activities, and ill-fitting or uncomfortable shoes.
Since plantar fasciitis is very common, diagnosing it is fairly easy. Doctors are most likely to spot the condition without any difficulty at all. Patients will simply be asked about activities that may have caused too much stress on the feet. The patient’s medical history, as well as the symptoms observed, is enough bases for the doctor to make a conclusion. However, x-rays may serve as support for his diagnosis.
Treating plantar fasciitis can range from pure logic to surgery. Majority of health care professionals may advise treatment programs that run for several weeks. These mostly involve plantar fasciitis exercises that will assist in stretching the fascia tissue.
Other remedies for plantar fasciitis include: massaging the sole of the feet using ice for pain; engaging in low-impact exercises and activities like swimming instead of jogging; using comfortable pair of shoes that provide arch supports; having physical therapy sessions; and taking readily-available pain relievers such as Tylenol or Advil may help patients deal with the condition as well.
If all else fail, doctors may advise patients to wear “night splint” for sometime. This serves to immobilize the feet in a position that’s somewhat bent, so that the fascia may be stretched while the patient is sleeping.
Another popular plantar fasciitis treatment option is the cortisone injection. This anti-inflammatory medication is introduced via injection and works to stop the pain. Symptoms that seem unresponsive may be dealt with by putting a cast on the patient’s foot for a couple of weeks.
Treating plantar fasciitis that does not react positively with all other conservative means may involve surgery. Although studies have shown that this does not always guarantee successful results, there are more innovative means that proved to be very beneficial. Further, the newer plantar fasciitis surgical methods require fewer incisions.
The answers to successfully treating plantar fasciitis are stretching, support, ice massage, and plenty of rest. Give those feet a break. Even though stretching is highly advised, make sure that you do not overstretch as this can also lead to more complications.
Untreated plantar fasciitis can develop into a chronic medical condition. Aside from not being able to sustain normal activity level, patients may likewise develop symptoms associated with hip, back, foot, and knee problems.
There is no denying the fact that the feet are highly-used parts of the human anatomy. And as with the other areas of the body, they too need down time. So let’s give them due rest before they decide to completely shut down.