Few things are as frustrating as waking up in the morning, putting your feet on the ground, and feeling intense foot pain. Who wants to hobble over to the coffee maker to brew your morning cup of coffee if you can barely move? And what about work? If there’s one type of pain that throws a wrench in your plans, it’s foot pain.
That’s especially true if you have plantar fasciitis – one of America’s most common orthopedic complaints. According to statistics, plantar fasciitis is responsible for 10% of runner-related injuries and around 15% of all foot symptoms needing professional care. If you wake up in the morning and can barely walk, it might be time to see a professional because you might have plantar fasciitis. But don’t lose hope – this common foot problem doesn’t have to define your life.
If you’re reading this page, chances are you’ve got questions like:
- What is plantar fasciitis?
- What causes plantar fasciitis?
- What are the symptoms of plantar fasciitis?
- Who is at risk of developing plantar fasciitis?
- What are the treatments for plantar fasciitis?
Let’s dive in and answer some of those questions. To understand plantar fasciitis, let’s begin with what exactly plantar fascia is.
What is the Plantar Fascia?
The plantar fascia is a thin, long ligament located beneath the skin on the underside of your foot. It connects your heel to the front portion of your foot and helps support your foot’s arch, as well. In many cases, it acts as a shock absorber, too.
What Are the Symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis?
If you feel intense pain around the bottom of your foot, especially when pushing off the floor when walking, after waking up or after sitting for long periods, there’s a good chance you have plantar fasciitis. Some additional symptoms of plantar fasciitis include:
- Intense pain near your heel
- Shooting pain that happens after you try to walk when getting out of bed
- Bad heel pain after working out (not during the workout but post-workout)
- Shooting pain that occurs when you try to walk after a long car ride
- Heel pain that goes away after a few minutes of regular walking
What Causes Plantar Fasciitis?
Technically, the true cause of plantar fasciitis is unclear. In 2003, one study suggested that it involves the degeneration of the plantar fascia.
However, what we do know is that the plantar fascia is meant to absorb the intense strains and stresses we put on our feet when running, walking, or playing sports. However, sometimes, too much pressure from these activities can damage or even tear the tissue in your feet. When tissue damage happens, your body’s natural response is to inflame the area. That inflammation usually causes the intense stiffness and pain associated with plantar fasciitis.
Another cause of plantar fasciitis is the overuse and overstretching of the plantar fascia ligament. If you’re between the ages of 40 and 70 and you pride yourself on being an active person, you’ve got a higher chance of developing this painful foot malady.
Who Is at Risk of Developing Plantar Fasciitis?
Though living a healthy, active lifestyle is a great way to look and feel great as you age, some of the most common cases of plantar fasciitis stem from long-distance running. Other risk factors that can cause this foot problem include:
- Being obese or overweight (especially sudden weight gain)
- Having flat feet, high arches, or other structural foot restrictions
- Having unusually tight Achilles tendons, which connect your calf muscles to your heels
- Working an active job that requires you to be on your feet for hours, such a server or bartender position
- Wearing shoes, sandals, and other types of footwear that lack arch support
What Are the Treatments for Plantar Fasciitis?
Though plantar fasciitis is a painful foot condition to live with, there are effective treatment options to consider. Experts in physical medicine can help.
One of the major recovery treatments include EPAT Therapy. Click here to learn more about EPAT Therapy. EPAT Therapy helps to avoid surgery.
Trust Denville Medical for Plantar Fasciitis Relief
Contact Denville Medical & Sports Rehab today if you’re living with plantar fasciitis but haven’t found relief from your condition. Our team of doctors and physical therapists use traditional treatments like stretching and physical therapy and also unique treatments like shockwave therapy to heal you.
Don’t let plantar fasciitis run your life – contact Denville Medical to begin plantar fasciitis treatment in New Jersey today.
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