Is plantar fasciitis causing your heel pain?
Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain, often resulting from a micro-tear or inflammation of the plantar fascia—a thick band of tissue that connects your heel to the front of your foot. If you’ve been experiencing persistent heel pain, understanding the root causes and exploring effective treatment options, such as custom orthotics, can help you find relief.
The most common symptom of plantar fasciitis is a micro-tear or inflammation of the plantar fascia at the base of the heel bone. We commonly see plantar fasciitis from extreme tightness in the Achilles/calf muscles, a biomechanical issue (extreme flat feet or high arches), or as the result of an overuse injury. We’ve successfully treated plantar fasciitis with three main treatment elements: arch support, stretching, and rest.
Treatment is possible with arch support, stretching, and rest
Arch Support
One of the most crucial elements in treating plantar fasciitis is providing adequate arch support. Custom orthotics are designed to:
- Relieve stress on the plantar fascia.
- Correct biomechanical issues, such as overpronation or insufficient arch support.
With custom orthotics, you can distribute pressure more evenly across your foot, minimizing strain on the plantar fascia and promoting healing. This tailored support makes a significant difference compared to over-the-counter insoles, especially for individuals with unique foot structures.
Stretching for Achilles Pain
Tightness in the Achilles tendon often contributes to plantar fasciitis. When the Achilles is overly tight, it creates tension in the plantar fascia, weakening it over time.
Stretching can be just as important, especially if the reason you have plantar fasciitis comes from the tightness of the Achilles. This happens when the Achilles and the plantar fasciitis play tug of war at the calcaneus (heel bone). When the Achilles is too tight, the plantar fasciitis gets pulled on and is weaker.
Our favorite element of stretch comes from the shoes you choose. We prefer “zero drop” footwear (no heel in the shoe), which allows the heel and ball of the foot to be on the same plane, permitting a nice natural stretch of the Achilles. Our favorite zero-drop shoes for plantar fasciitis are Altra and Birkenstock.
Rest for Foot Issues
Rest is essential for recovery from any injury, including plantar fasciitis. While it may not always be practical to completely halt your daily activities, reducing repetitive strain on your feet can prevent further inflammation or tearing and speed up recovery time.
Take the First Step Toward Pain Relief
If you’re struggling with plantar fasciitis, custom orthotics can help you regain comfort and mobility. Schedule a free foot assessment at our clinic. Consult with our specialist to have your orthotics professionally designed and start your journey toward pain-free steps today. If you live out of state, we highly recommend scheduling our tele-consulting for free. Foot Dynamics has over 20 years of experience in treating many foot issues.
We’re always available by phone, chat, or email if you have any questions.
