26 Mar What Is Plantar Fasciitis?
If you’re experiencing pain around the bottom of your foot, your heel and the arch, you may be suffering from plantar fasciitis, a condition that can be very uncomfortable indeed, making it very difficult to go about your daily activities.
It’s caused by straining the big of your foot that connects your heel bone to your toes – the plantar fascia. The cause of the problem isn’t always apparent but you may find you start suffering in this way after exercising on hard surfaces or if your calves are tight. You may also develop symptoms if you overstretch the sole of your foot while exercising (NHS, plantar fasciitis guide).
There are ways in which you can help prevent plantar fasciitis from manifesting itself, however, such as stretching before and after exercises, losing weight or making sure that you’re wearing the appropriate shoes while exercising. You can also use insoles in your shoes to help provide an extra layer of cushioning, which will afford you more protection, especially during high impact activities.
How to ease your symptoms
If you’re in pain, it’s important to rest your foot and elevate it, using an icepack on the painful area for up to 20 minutes every two to three hours. In between times, you can wear comfortable shoes with a soft sole and a low heel, as well as using soft insoles inside the shoes to make walking more bearable.
You would be wise to avoid high impact exercises like running, as this will only make your symptoms worse, but that doesn’t mean you have to stop exercising altogether. Instead of pounding the pavement, head to your local swimming pool and do some laps, as this will put no pressure on your feet at all.
It would be advisable to go and see your GP if your pain levels are severe or if it stops you from doing your normal everyday activities. If the pain returns or gets worse, it would also be a good idea to seek medical advice.
How can an osteopath help with plantar fasciitis?
Both the foot and the ankle are complex parts of the human body and it’s important to seek treatment if you are experiencing problems or pain, because it can be immobilising and cause all sorts of long-term difficulties for simple activities such as walking.
Come and see us here at Frimley osteopathic consultancy OsteoVision if you are suffering in this regard and we’ll be able to treat your symptoms successfully. Our treatment plans include gentle massage and manipulative techniques that will help increase the mobility and range of movement, as well as improving muscle balances in your feet.
We work closely with a team of specialised musculoskeletal experts, orthopaedic surgeons, pain specialists, rheumatologists, acupuncturists and other specialists to treat our patients, with our treatment plans tailored to suit your particular needs.