What is plantar fasciitis?

If you’re dealing with pain and discomfort in the bottom of your foot, you might have plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis is a medical condition in which the ligaments supporting the arches of your feet become strained. This can sometimes result in small tears. Plantar fasciitis causes swelling and inflammation, making it painful to walk, stand, and perform certain movements.

The plantar fascia refers to the thick tissue band that spans across the bottom of your foot and connects your toes to your heel bone. With plantar fasciitis, the tissue becomes inflamed. Plantar fasciitis causes swelling and inflammation, making it painful to walk, stand, and perform certain movements. The pain associated with plantar fasciitis is typically worse in the morning and improves when you start moving around. Plantar fasciitis is more common among athletes and runners. You have a heightened risk of developing plantar fasciitis if you’re overweight or obese or if you wear shoes without the proper support.
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What causes plantar fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis might be the result of repetitive stretching or tearing of the tissue band. It isn’t always clear what causes plantar fasciitis, and certain factors might increase your risk of getting the condition, such as:

  • Certain foot conditions like flat feet
  • Aging
  • Some forms of exercise like long-distance running
  • Occupations where you’re standing on your feet for long periods of time
  • Obesity
  • Plantar fasciitis has also been associated with bone spurs —bony protrusions that form along the edges of bone, usually where bones meet and form your joints.
  • Plantar fasciitis involves chronic heel pain that can impair your physical functioning and get in the way of your daily life. You might be changing the way you walk to compensate for the pain.
  • This can lead to even more problems with your back, hips, knees, and feet.

How is plantar fasciitis treated?

After your personal consultation and evaluation at Center Point Physical Therapy, NYC New York, your provider devises a personalized treatment plan. Physical therapy is especially beneficial for plantar fasciitis and involves personalized exercises, stretches, and movements. Your provider can also give you specific exercises you can do at home to continue making progress. To treat your plantar fasciitis, your provider might suggest:

  • Dry needling
  • Taping
  • Cold or heat therapy
  • TENS units (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation)
  • Posture evaluation
  • Iontophoresis(delivering steroids through the skin)
  • Certain topical medications
  • Lifestyle changes, such as stress management and nutrition
  • Orthotic supportive devices and products
  • The objective of your physical therapy is to boost your strength, physical function, and relieve your pain.