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What is Plantar Fasciitis? It is a condition in which the plantar fascia becomes inflamed and irritated. The plantar fascia is a relatively inflexible, thick fibrous band of tissue that extends from the heel to the ball of the foot and is a supportive platform for the arch. Movements such as walking or running stretch the plantar fascia and can cause small tears, which lead to inflammation and pain. When you walk, your weight is distributed across your feet, but any imbalances in alignment and the mechanics of your foot can eventually cause pain. High arches, flat feet, or even the surface you are walking on can cause poor mechanics. Which Plantar Fasciitis Treatment Should I Consider? The most effective plantar fasciitis treatment for the most common causes of the condition is arch supports or orthotic insoles that you insert into your shoes. It is usually abnormal foot mechanics involving high arches, overpronation, or flat feet that cause the problem in the first place. To correct or accommodate the mechanics and provide relief from pain, orthotic insoles are the best treatment option. Another potential treatment would be a night splint. Night splints work to provide a gentle stretch to your plantar fascia while you sleep. This controlled stretch keeps the plantar fascia from tightening and stiffening overnight and is a common way to alleviate the early morning pain individuals often experience. Footwear is also a big part of plantar fasciitis treatment. Shoes that do not fit properly or that require forcing your feet into a cramped space can be the cause of this problem and many other foot issues. Choose your shoes wisely. If you have ongoing problems with heel and arch pain, talk to your doctor and he or she may refer you to a pedorthist or podiatrist. Temporary Plantar Fasciitis Treatments There are a few things you can do on your own to provide temporary plantar fasciitis treatment. First of all, when your foot is painful, you can ice the affected area to numb the nerve endings and take the inflammation down. If you are carrying extra weight, losing it can be helpful to decrease stress on your feet. Massaging the arch area of the foot and completing stretching exercises for the plantar fascia and the calf muscles can also be used as a means of getting some relief. Avoiding activities such as walking or running helps the healing process, but can often be difficult if your work requires you to be on your feet. If you must walk or complete specific activities a good plantar fasciitis taping technique can be used to provide support to the plantar fascia. Talk to your physical therapist or physiotherapist for plantar fasciitis taping and exercise techniques. More Invasive Plantar Fasciitis Treatment Corticosteroid injections are occasionally used as a treatment. However, this is often combined with foot orthotics designed to correct biomechanical deficiencies. A "last resort" plantar fasciitis treatment is surgery. Surgery is not a common treatment as only about 5% of people with the condition require it, and it is only recommended provided no other plantar fasciitis treatment has been successful. The surgery involves fully or partially cutting, or detaching the plantar fascia from the heel bone. This decreases the tension of the fascia, taking away the pain. Where to Get Plantar Fasciitis Treatment Your doctor will usually determine what action must be taken for you to receive the appropriate plantar fasciitis treatment. They will often send you to a pedorthist or podiatrist for foot orthotic insoles. These are the best treatment in the majority of cases and should be considered after surgery to correct biomechanical issues and prevent the return of the condition. Orthotic insoles (arch supports) come in a few varieties. They can be custom made for your foot (quite expensive) or off-the-shelf. many of the off-the-shelf varieties are cheap and ineffective. There has recently been a push by a few independent companies to develop an 'in-between' product. A high-end customized off-the-shelf product that builds condition specific features into a wide variety of product options. With these companies, you can get off-the-shelf orthotic insoles that are specifically designed for plantar fasciitis treatment. If you are looking for an affordable device that will actually be effective for your condition, that is the way to go. Roderick MacKenzie is a certified pedorthist and former physiotherapist (physical therapist) with 15 years of experience in foot care. He has designed the new MacKenzie Orthotics line of foot orthotics...to bridge the gap between ineffective over the counter arch supports and expensive custom foot orthotic devices. He has specifically worked to create arch supports (orthotic insoles) that are designed to alleviate the symptoms of plantar fasciitis.
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