For some the most painful part of waking up in the morning is getting out of bed. A number of people spend their days suffering in agony with morning heel pain that comes and goes throughout the day. A common cause of heel pain is plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of a thick, fibrous fascia in the arch of the foot called the plantar fascia. The plantar fascia attaches into the heel and fans out toward the ball of the foot, attaching into the base of the toes. If this fascia is stretched excessively it will become inflamed and begin to cause pain. In severe cases, the pain can be constant and awaken people from sleep. Plantar fasciitis can be described as stabbing pain that occurs in the morning. However, after the foot has been adequately stretched the pain normally subsides and returns after long periods of standing or getting up from a seated position.
Plantar fasciitis is common in:
- Athletes
- Overweight individuals
- Pregnant women
- Individuals who wear shoe gear with inadequate support
Plantar fasciitis can be treated through:
- Simple Calf muscle stretches
- Orthotics
- Cortisone injections
- Wearing shoes with better support
The main emphasis of treatment for plantar fasciitis is to reduce the forces that are causing the plantar fascia to stretch excessively. If you are struggling with similar foot pain, see a doctor. Something so painful can often be resolved with a short visit to your podiatrist.
