Relief from Plantar Fasciitis

Do you feel pain along the bottom of your feet when you wake up in the morning? Or maybe it comes throughout the day after prolonged periods of sitting or after a hard workout. There’s pain from the ball of your feet, through your arches, and into the heels. If this sounds familiar, you may be suffering from Plantar Fasciitis.

For most people, it can be a slight tightness with momentary pain until they walk around a bit and the plantar fascia relaxes. For others, however, it can be constant foot pain through everyday activities. The plantar fascia is the network of connective tissue that spans the bottom of the foot, from the toes to the heel bone. When the tissues are strained beyond their normal boundaries, they can stretch and tear, causing inflammation, pain, and possibly a bone spur. This can be most common for people who constantly strain their feet (athletes) and for those who overpronate (stand or walk with their weight on the inside of their feet).

How to Treat Plantar Fasciitis

For patients with mild symptoms, there are some home treatments that may help. Try some of the following:

• Rest: Keep weight off the foot to prevent further inflammation or pain. This is especially for athletes or folks who stand or walk for long hours. Repetitive use injury can happen because overuse of muscles and tissue can weaken them, making them more prone to having problems.
• Stretch: Flexing and pointing the foot can help stretch the tissue. Also, try a calf and foot stretch while on the floor or the bed, folding over toward your feet and gently pulling your toes back toward you.
• Orthotic inserts: Store bought or custom orthotic inserts can help to support arches. It can help to correct overpronation and prevent excessive irritation to the plantar fascia.
• Tension night splints: Some people suffering from plantar fasciitis may be pointing their toes while they sleep. To correct for overstretching, you may use a tension night splint to keep your feet in a more neutral position while you sleep.
• Anti-inflammatory medications: If the pain is prolonged, NSAIDs can help reduce inflammation and provide pain relief. Do not use for long periods of time, and instead consult your podiatrist if symptoms do not get better.

For patients with severe pain and inflammation from plantar fasciitis, more advanced treatment is necessary. Our board-certified podiatrists, Dr. Douglas H. Richie, Dr. Jeremy L. Cook, Dr. Faye E. Izadi can assess your symptoms to find the best treatment for you. At Alamitos-Seal Beach Podiatry Group we use Extracorporeal Pulse Activated Technology (EPAT) – a quick and easy, non-invasive treatment using acoustic pressure waves to promote vascularization for healing. Ask if this treatment is right for you. Make an appointment to see us at one of our Seal Beach, CA and Los Alamitos, CA offices in Orange County.