Nothing is more inconvenient than the pain that prevents you from going about your daily activities. If the pain in the bottom of your leg does not go away, you should seek medical attention. Let’s take a closer look at the symptoms, causes, and diagnosis of plantar fasciitis, as well as whether you should walk or rest.
Are your feet bothering you? Are you concerned that you may have plantar fasciitis? The web-like ligaments that run across your foot can be damaged by excessive pressure, resulting in pain and stiffness. Here are some symptoms that you may have plantar fasciitis:
Certain habits increase your risk of developing plantar fasciitis. If you already have the condition, you might be engaging in practices that worsen it. Here are some of the things that could aggravate plantar fasciitis:
Pain indicates a problem in your body. Dismissing pain and failing to take action might worsen your condition. If your feet hurt, take a rest or see a podiatrist.
Intense physical activity without stretching can be harmful to the plantar fascia. Stretching the plantar fascia gets it ready for hard workouts and exercise, which keeps it from getting small tears or swelling.
A healthy weight is beneficial to our overall health. Not everyone is aware that gaining weight can aggravate plantar fasciitis by putting too much strain on the plantar fascia.
Patients with plantar fasciitis must wear supportive shoes at all times. Supportive shoes will give your toes enough room to move freely. High heels should be avoided because they do not provide adequate arch support.
If your job requires you to stand for long periods of time, try to alternate between different positions and take breaks. Change positions frequently if you are indoors.
Dehydration results from not drinking enough water, putting your plantar fascia at risk of scarring. Drink plenty of water to keep your feet healthy.
Walking barefoot can cause plantar fasciitis inflammation. Instead of walking barefoot, put on some cozier sneakers.
Plantar fasciitis causes stabbing heel pain, which may prevent you from going for a walk. Walking does not aggravate plantar fasciitis. However, wearing the wrong shoes and having poor walking habits do.
When you begin walking after being still for a period of time, you will experience sharp pain. This is due to your ligaments’ prolonged rest. After you warm up the ligaments, the pain will go away.
While walking short distances may help reduce pain, attempting to walk faster or longer distances may result in a persistent sensation. Always take a break when the pain in your feet becomes unbearable.
Because of poor blood supply to your feet while reclining, pain in your heels or feet may worsen early in the morning. Patients with this condition have difficulty getting out of bed after a restful night’s sleep. This is because plantar fasciitis disengages during sleep, causing pain when they begin walking.
Wear night splints before going to bed to alleviate pain. Physical therapy can also help prevent pain.
When you feel pain in the bottom of your foot or calf muscles while walking, learn to stop. Wearing the proper shoes can also help to alleviate pain. To avoid plantar fasciitis pain, podiatrists recommend wearing shoes with good arch support when standing, walking, or running on hard surfaces.
Plantar fasciitis exercises may aggravate your symptoms in the first few weeks of trying them. Nonetheless, they may be beneficial in the long run. Here are a few exercises to try:
Plantar fascia towel stretch is most effective when done first thing in the morning. It stretches the arch of your foot and the calf muscle, which takes the pain away from your heel.
The plantar fascia is loosened by massaging the bottom of your foot with a tennis ball. Only 3 minutes of this exercise can alleviate all of your pain and soreness.
In a few minutes, rolling a frozen water bottle beneath your foot can relieve pain. The gentle pressure and cold feeling of the ice pack reduce swelling and help the foot move more freely.
Consult your doctor before beginning any exercise program, especially if you have plantar fasciitis.
See a doctor if you experience severe pain in your heels that continues for a long time and limits your ability to walk. Your symptoms could escalate fast if you have:
It’s advisable to see a podiatrist as soon as you spot the first symptom of plantar fasciitis. Your podiatrist will examine you for heel pain and unwarranted tenderness. This confirms whether you suffer from plantar fasciitis and not a related foot problem.
They will also perform a physical exam to detect swelling and assess your balance, muscle tone, reflexes, and sense of touch via various ankle and foot reflexes. They may perform an x-ray or an MRI scan to reveal any hidden problems in your foot tissue. They will either put you on a treatment plan or refer you to a physical therapist once they have diagnosed plantar fasciitis.
Plantar fasciitis recovery is dependent on how aggressive and consistent you are with home treatments. In 3–12 months, wearing supportive shoes and doing cold and hot therapy, in addition to stretches and home treatment, can help you recover. Seeing a podiatrist, on the other hand, will hasten the healing process. Plantar fasciitis can be treated quickly at Rogers Foot and Ankle Institute by experienced podiatrists. To schedule a free consultation, call 801-756-4200.