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| Is Stepping out of Bed in the Morning Becoming a Real Pain? |
 drchristie writes, "Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common explanations of foot and heel pain. It is caused by irritation and inflammation to the thick band that connects the toes to the heel bone, called the plantar fascia, which runs across the bottom of your foot. The condition can be caused from spending too much time standing on feet, unpadded shoes on hard ground, repetitive stress, diets low in vitamin C, being overweight, change in activity level, improper shoe support, and pregnancy. Plantar fasciitis typically affects adults."
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Symptoms
Plantar fasciitis commonly causes a stabbing and or throbbing pain in the heel, and often arch of the foot, which is worse during the first few steps of the day after awakening. As you continue to walk on the affected foot, the pain gradually lessens. Usually, only one foot is affected, but it can occur in both feet simultaneously.
Diagnosis
To diagnose plantar fasciitis, your doctor will physically examine your foot by testing your reflexes, balance, coordination, muscle strength, and muscle tone. Your doctor may also advise a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or X-ray to rule out other others sources of your pain, such as a pinched nerve, stress fracture, or bone spur.
Treatment
Treatment for plantar fasciitis includes medication, physical therapy, chiropractic care, acupuncture, shock wave therapy, or surgery.
Medications
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen and naproxen are used to treat the inflammation and pain of plantar fasciitis, but they will not cure the condition. Corticosteroids can also be used to ease pain and reduce inflammation. Corticosteroids are applied either as a topical solution in conjunction with a non-painful electric current or through injections to the affected area.
Physical Therapy
Stretching exercises for the Achilles tendon and plantar fascia are recommended to relieve pain and aid in the healing process. Sometimes application of athletic tape is recommended. In moderate or severe cases of plantar fasciitis, your doctor may recommend you wearing a night splint, which will stretch the arch of your foot and calf while you sleep. This helps to lengthen the Achilles tendon and plantar fascia for symptom relief. Depending on the severity of your plantar fasciitis, your physician may prescribe a store-bought orthotic (arch support) or custom-fitted orthotic to help distribute your foot pressure more evenly.
Chiropractic Care
Treatment by a chiropractor consists of finding and treating the root problem. Chiropractors are trained to find the restrictions to the joint, muscles, and soft tissue of the foot. Working with and treating the participating gait musculature can increase range of motion, as well as treat any functional risk factors such as tightness and weakness of the intrinsic muscles of the foot. Correction of gait, foot structures, joint function, as well as muscle balance, ensures proper healing, and decreases chance of complications.
Acupuncture
Most acupuncture treatments are effective for reducing physical pain by stimulating the body's ability to produce endorphins, the body's natural pain killers. Acupuncturists are also able to treat trigger points to reduce tension in calf and intrinsic foot musculature.
Surgery and Other Procedures
When more conservative methods have failed to reduce plantar fasciitis pain, your doctor may suggest extracorporeal shock wave therapy, which is used to treat chronic plantar fasciitis. Extracorporeal shock wave therapy uses sound waves to stimulate healing, but may cause bruises, numbness, tingling, swelling, and pain. When all else fails, surgery may be recommended to detach the plantar fascia from the heel bone. Few people need surgery to treat the condition.
Home Remedies
Stretching your plantar fasciitis is something you can do at home to relieve pain and speed healing. Rolling a tennis or golf ball across the affected foot arch can also stretch the fascia as well as break up adhesion that may have formed. Ice massage performed three to four times per day in 5 to 10 minute intervals is also something you can do to reduce inflammation and pain. Placing arch supports in your shoes absorbs shock and takes pressure off the plantar fascia.
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Posted on Jan 11, 2012 13:28pm.
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