Walking Pain Free - Understanding Plantar Fasciitis

Walking Pain-Free: Understanding Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar Fasciitis is a strange medical term and not well understood by the average person. But it can cause a lot of pain and decrease quality of life quite a bit. In Understanding Plantar Fasciitis, we'll discuss what it is and how you can tell if you have this painful condition. There's a stretchy ligament running from your heel to your toes on the bottom of your foot, known as the plantar fascia. Acting almost like a "rubber band", it plays a crucial role in supporting your foot's arch. But what happens when every step you take feels like you're stepping on a piece of Lego? That stabbing sensation or deep ache in your heel could be a sign of plantar fasciitis. The term "fasciitis," with its medical complexity, simply means that your plantar fascia is inflamed, signaling a need for treatment to get you back on your feet comfortably.

Recognizing Plantar Fasciitis

The hallmark of plantar fasciitis is heel pain, but it's important to watch for:

• Pain that kicks in first thing in the morning and increases throughout the day.
• Discomfort following prolonged periods of standing.
• Increased pain when you climb stairs or stand on your tiptoes.

Although these symptoms point towards plantar fasciitis, a definitive diagnosis usually requires a doctor's examination, occasionally supplemented by imaging tests to rule out other issues like fractures.

Why Does Plantar Fasciitis Happen?

The plantar fascia's job is to absorb the shock of your steps. However, certain conditions can turn this impact from a routine process into a painful ordeal, leading to plantar fasciitis. Factors include:

• Extended periods of standing, especially for work.
• Unsuitable footwear lacking proper cushioning.
• Overuse from activities like running or excessive walking.
• Structural foot problems, such as flat feet.
• Age-related wear and tear.
• Excess weight.
• Regular walking on hard surfaces without shoes.

Thankfully, mitigating these risk factors can help prevent plantar fasciitis, with simple solutions like choosing well-cushioned shoes, managing your weight, and properly warming up before exercise.

In the next post we’ll talk about Treating Plantar Fasciitis and show you some exercises you can use at home to relieve Plantar Fasciitis pain. You can find Part 2 here: Walking Pain Free - Treating Plantar Fasciitis | Superior Physical Therapy (thesuperiortherapy.com)

Check out another article on Plantar Fasciitis: Plantar fasciitis - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic