Plantar Heel Pain Plantar Fasciitis

What is it and who gets it?

Plantar Heel Pain | Plantar Fasciitis

1 in 10 people suffer from plantar fasciitis in the world, it is most common in people between the ages of 40-60 years.

Introduction

The heel and front of your foot are joined through a thick, web-like ligament known as the plantar fascia.

It helps you walk by supporting the arch of your foot and acts as a shock absorber. One of the most common orthopedic complaints is plantar fasciitis. In plantar fasciitis, you experience severe pain in the bottom of your heel or the bottom of your foot.

The ligaments of the plantar fascia are used a lot in your daily life causing them to wear and tear. The amount of pressure you put on your feet should be in moderate amounts as too much pressure can tear the ligaments.

The inflammation of the plantar fascia causes an immense amount of pain and stiffness in your heel. While it may feel like inflammation, it is associated with degenerative problems involving the tissue that connects your toes to your heel bone

Who is at risk of plantar fasciitis?

People at high risk of getting plantar fasciitis are:

1. Runners
2. People who have flat feet
3. High arches
4. Overweight
5. People who are on their feet a lot

Even with treatment it can take about 6-12 months for your feet to heal completely.

What is Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is described as pain at the bottom of your heel it can affect both feet but usually it just affects one foot.

It takes time for plantar fasciitis to develop. Plantar fasciitis causes varying types of pain for some people it is dull and for some it is sharp. Many feel it as a burning or ache that extends towards the heel of their foot.

You will experience intense pain while performing some routine activities for example:

1. Climbing the stairs
2. Taking the first few steps after waking up
3. Taking the first few steps after lying down

After being on your feet for too long the plantar fasciitis can become inflamed or irritated causing pain. The pain goes undetected in the middle of activities but emerges after you have stopped.

Causes of Plantar Fasciitis

A study was done in 2003 that reported degeneration is more likely to be the cause of plantar fasciitis discomfort rather than inflammation. They suggested a new name plantar fasciosis.

1.    Age

1 in 10 people suffer from plantar fasciitis. Men and women are both at a very high risk of developing plantar fasciitis if they are active and between the ages of 40-70. It is more common in women than in men.

2.    Pregnancy

Pregnant women experience plantar fasciitis in the last months of their pregnancy. Plantar fasciitis is the most anxiety-inducing pregnancy and postpartum ladies. It is incredibly painful but can be treated.

3.    Overweight

Plantar fasciitis is also caused by increased pressure on the ligaments of your foot so if you are overweight or you have recently gained a lot of weight you are putting unnecessary pressure on your ligaments and are at a high risk of developing plantar fasciitis.

4.    Non-supportive Footwear and Foot Mechanics

High arches or flat feet are structural problems that leave you at high risk of developing plantar fasciitis. The tightness of the Achilles’ tendons also spreads the pain up to your calf muscles and puts you at risk of developing plantar fasciitis.

Wearing footwear that is soft and has a poor arch is a major cause of plantar fasciitis too. 

5.    Certain Exercises

Exercises that involve putting pressure on your foot like running or jumping can aggravate your chances of getting plantar fasciitis, often when training load has increased such as training for a marathon.

6.    Certain Occupations

Any occupation that requires you to be upon your feet all the time leaves you vulnerable to developing plantar fasciitis as it causes the ligaments to wear and tear.

Some examples of occupations like this are

1. Long-distance runner
2. Restaurant server
3. Factory worker

Complications of Untreated Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis if ignored can become a major health problem down the road. It can cause chronic heel pain which will make it difficult for you to complete your daily activities. A change in your walking pattern may cause hip, foot, knee, and back problems. It will be beneficial to seek effective treatment methods as soon as you notice the first symptoms.

Conclusion

Plantar fasciitis has many treatment options available like medication,  exercises, home remedies, custom orthotics and even essential oils, etc. What you need to understand is that it will take 6 to 12 months for the pain to be completely gone. Thus, it requires immense patience but your health will benefit from all these treatments.

Here at Deansgate Osteopathic Clinic we  have a proven strategy to help eliminate Plantar Fasciitis.

Research: https://www.eswtusa.com/faqs#:~:text=Extracorporeal%20Shock%20Wave%20Therapy%20or,tendonitis%2C%20and%20other%20chronic%20tendinopathies

https://www.healthline.com/health/plantar-fasciitis#treatment

https://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/treatment-for-plantar-fasciitis#1