Overcoming Plantar Fasciitis and Heel Pain

The Morning Misery

Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain. It involves inflammation of a thick band of tissue that runs across the bottom of your foot and connects your heel bone to your toes.

What Causes It?

The plantar fascia is designed to absorb the high stresses and strains we place on our feet. But, sometimes, too much pressure damages or tears the tissues. The body's natural response to injury is inflammation, which results in the heel pain and stiffness of plantar fasciitis.

Effective Relief Strategies

• Stretching: Calf and plantar fascia stretches are the most effective way to relieve pain.
• Ice: Rolling your foot over a frozen water bottle for 20 minutes a day is effective.
• Footwear: Supportive shoes and custom orthotics can reduce tension on the fascia.
• Rest: Decreasing or stopping the activities that make the pain worse is the first step in reducing pain.

If conservative treatments don't yield results after several months, your orthopedic specialist may recommend extracorporeal shock wave therapy or, rarely, surgery.