Plantar Fasciitis: Does Elevating My Feet Help?
July 10, 2023 • The Kimmel Institute • foot care • foot conditions
If you have plantar fasciitis, you may wonder if elevating your feet would relieve your foot pain. At Alamitos – Seal Beach Podiatry Group we frequently answer questions about plantar fasciitis and suggest treatments to help your feet feel better. Plantar fasciitis is the one of the most common causes of pain on the bottom of people’s feet. Each year, doctors treat about 2 million people with plantar fasciitis, according to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons.
What is Plantar Fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis affects the plantar fascia, a strong band of tissue that extends from your heel to the front of your foot. Its purpose is to support your foot’s arch. Plantar fasciitis is a condition in which damage to the plantar fascia causes inflammation and pain.What Causes Plantar Fasciitis?
Walking, running, or being on your feet for long periods can damage the fascia to cause plantar fasciitis. Wearing shoes that provide poor cushioning or lack arch support can also cause plantar fasciitis by increasing pressure on the plantar fascia. Tight calf muscles prevent your ankle from bending enough, and this can strain the plantar fascia. Sleeping with your feet pointed downward allows the plantar fascia to relax throughout the night. Standing up the next morning stretches the plantar fascia suddenly to cause sharp pain. Certain factors increase the risk for developing plantar fasciitis. Risk factors include:- Engaging in a new activity
- An increase in your activity levels
- Repetitive high impact activity, such as running, sports, and dancing
- Standing on hard surfaces for a long time; this is especially common among nurses, factory workers, and teachers
- Flat feet, a high arch, or certain other anatomical features
- Tight calf muscles
- Obesity
- Age – plantar fasciitis is most common among those aged 40 to 60
Symptoms of plantar fasciitis
You may have plantar fasciitis if you have any of the following symptoms:- Pain on the bottom of your foot near your heel
- Pain when you take the first few steps after getting out of bed or after a prolonged rest, such as a long car ride; the pain of plantar fasciitis usually subsides after you walk around for a few minutes
- Increased pain after, but not during, exercise or activity
Treatment for Plantar Fasciitis
Foot doctors in Los Alamitos and Seal Beach recommend conservative treatment measures, such as elevating your feet, to treat plantar fasciitis. Other non-surgical treatments for plantar fasciitis include:- Stopping or decreasing the activities that contribute to or worsen plantar fasciitis
- Switching to lower-impact activities, such as swimming or cycling
- Stretching exercises to loosen calf muscles
- Ice
- Over-the-counter pain relievers
- Physical therapy
- Supportive shoes and orthotics
- Night splints to stretch the plantar fascia while you sleep
