Have you ever gotten out of bed and felt a stabbing pain in your heels as soon as you tried to walk? Well, that could very well be the first and most obvious indication that you have plantar fasciitis.
For those of you who are not familiar with the plantar fascia, it is the tissue underneath your foot which connects the base of your toes to the heel bone. The tissue is made up of a thick, fibrous band that provides adequate support for the soles of the feet, and plays a crucial part in one’s overall foot mechanics when performing activities that involve moving the feet.
Apart from heel pain in general, more specific symptoms of plantar fasciitis include pain experienced around the heel region when weight is placed on the foot after a long period of sitting or lying down; standing up or walking will deliver a sudden pain that will gradually subside but often remains to some degree. While plantar fasciitis can affect anyone, people who are most prone to this degenerative disorder include those with raised arches and flat feet, as well as individuals who are obese and/or run a lot. A sudden increase in walking and running on a daily basis and wearing the wrong shoes (that do not provide adequate arch support) can also cause plantar fasciitis. Ultimately, as the tissue becomes overused and less resilient, the painful symptoms kick in and disrupt your day-to-day life.
So, can you fix plantar fasciitis and do away with the pain? Well, early treatment is always advised to successfully get rid of plantar fasciitis, however, regardless of when you start working towards alleviating the pain, it should be noted that the results vary from person to person. It may take several months for some individuals to see an improvement while others get relief much more quickly.
Nevertheless, if you are suffering from plantar fasciitis, here is what you can do to fix the painful problem. Read on!
5 Tips to Fix Plantar Fasciitis
Pain management is never easy, especially when you have an otherwise active lifestyle or a demanding occupation. It requires time and patience to work on relieving the symptoms of fasciitis, however, with that said, you’ll be happy to know that these treatments are fairly simple to do at home, as well as at your workplace if/when you have the time and space for it. Some of these tried and tested methods to fix plantar fasciitis provide quick relief from heel pain, and leave the soles of your feet feeling more relaxed and limber. Take a look below.
1. Roll Your Feet with a Ball
Using a mobility ball or tennis ball to roll your feet acts as a gentle massage for your heels and arches which, in turn, increases blood flow to these areas. It can provide immediate relief from pain although rolling over sensitive parts of the heels may feel uncomfortable or painful at the time. The goal is to apply a fixed and constant amount of pressure (not too much that it causes shooting pain) when rolling different areas of your feet, spending at least 15-20 seconds in each region. Do this 2-3 times a day for relief from plantar fasciitis.
2. Stretch Your Plantar Fascia
The plantar fascia ligament needs to be strong and flexible in order to prevent or relieve pain caused by the disorder. Stretching is an excellent and proven way to heal or improve symptoms of plantar fasciitis and, best of all, it only takes a few minutes to do it. Some of the best stretches for heel pain include the Staircase Stretch, Water Bottle Stretch, Wall and Book Stretch, Pebble Stretch, and Plantar Stretch.
3. Use Sock Splints When Resting (Sitting/Sleeping)
The purpose of a sock splint is to gently stretch your foot and hold it in that position while you are resting or sitting down. You can use them at work during the day or even at night when you go to sleep. The goal is to keep the plantar fascia slightly stretched in order to relieve tension in and pain. What’s great about this product is that, unlike night splints which are heavier and quite bulky, sock splints are comfortable to wear for longer periods at a time.
4. Use Ice Pack Slippers
Cold compression is a tried and tested method for reducing inflammation and pain. This is no different when applying an ice pack to your heels for instant, albeit, temporary relief. It is not a long term solution to fix plantar fasciitis, however, it can aid in recovery and, more importantly, provide immediate relief that you are looking for. One of the most convenient and efficient ways to keep your feet iced for quick pain relief is by slipping in and out of ice pack slippers that will mold into the shape of your feet for more comfort and efficient icing.
5. Use Toe Separators
Long term use of shoes with narrow toe boxes can cause your toes to curl inward, as well as shorten the plantar fascia ligament. When this happens, the ligament also becomes tense which leads to pain and discomfort. Using toe separators will help undo the damage that unhealthy footwear has caused by stretching and strengthening the tendons, and improving blood flow to your feet. For first-time users, toe separators can be worn 15 minutes a day while in a seated or sleeping position.
The symptoms of plantar fasciitis can range from mildly painful to intense chronic pain and discomfort. Fortunately, it is not something you need to live with so long as you take the time to learn how to fix plantar fasciitis, and subsequently incorporate a few at-home treatments to your daily routine. Along with these top five tips to fix plantar fasciitis, resting your feet while they heal is also important. You don’t want to overwork them in ways that are doing more harm than good but rather, improve heel pain and other symptoms with safe and appropriate treatments. With consistent efforts everyday, you will be able to get rid of plantar fasciitis and even prevent it from returning. Depending on the severity of the pain, it is advisable to seek medical advice from an experienced podiatrist for the best course of treatment as per your symptoms and day-to-day life.
At bprimal, we work with shoemakers and brands who create natural footwear that are made to encourage better foot health by repairing the damage caused by long term use of modern shoes. These minimalist or healthy footwear alternatives ensure proper preservation of one’s natural foot shape and function thanks to their inclusion of all the design specifics needed to achieve optimal foot health. Some of these features include wide toe boxes, slim and flexible soles, and no heel elevation. Our involvement and interaction with people who create and promote products that help individuals fix their foot problems has also inspired us to spread crucial awareness – relating to prioritising foot health as told by the experts – via our blog. Learn More - check out bprimal educational articles here, and browse through the different brands and collections of natural footwear and foot health restoration products we carry.
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The above content is for educational or informational purposes only and is not intended to replace or augment professional medical instruction, diagnosis, or treatment. Read the full Terms and Conditions & Disclaimer here.
