One Foot in Front of the Other: A Podiatry Collection

One Foot in Front of the Other: A Podiatry Collection

3 At-Home Tips for Treating Plantar Fasciitis

by Elijah Turner

Plantar fasciitis is a painful foot condition where the plantar fascia, the band of tissue that connects your toes to the heel bone, becomes inflamed. For some people, plantar fasciitis will heal on its own without medical intervention. Other people may have a severe case of plantar fasciitis that needs to be treated by a podiatrist. Unfortunately, plantar fasciitis can become a chronic condition for some.

If you are experiencing pain in your heel and across the bottom of your foot, it is most likely due to plantar fasciitis, as it is a very common condition. Use the following tips to help treat plantar fasciitis at home to find relief from the pain and promote healing:

Do Stretches Daily

If you are suffering from plantar fasciitis, it is in your best interest to do a series of stretches when you wake up and before you go to sleep. There are several stretches designed for plantar fasciitis, and the stretches target the calf muscles, the plantar fascia, and the Achilles tendon. Doing these stretches can help with the tightness and pain that you may experience when walking. Spending several minutes stretching your foot a couple of times a day may cause a little bit of discomfort at first, but it will be very helpful in the long run.

Wear the Right Shoes

When you have plantar fasciitis, wearing the right shoes is incredibly important. Avoid wearing flip flops, sandals, and worn-out athletic shoes. If you want to promote healing and minimize the inflammation of the plantar fascia, it is imperative to wear shoes that have cushioning, thick soles, and extra arch support. Good shoes will give your foot the support that it needs, and you will most likely be more comfortable walking. While you are healing from plantar fasciitis, it is best to avoid walking barefoot. 

Use Ice

Using ice several times a day can go a long way towards numbing pain and discomfort and also helping with the inflammation of the plantar fascia. Apply an ice pack to the bottom of your foot and your heel upon waking and before going to bed. If you experience any pain throughout the day, you can utilize your ice pack as needed. After using ice on your foot, make sure that you put your shoes back on to ensure that your foot remains supported and does not begin to hurt again shortly after ice treatment. 

For more information about treating plantar fasciitis, contact a local podiatrist. 


Share  

About Me

One Foot in Front of the Other: A Podiatry Collection

Walking is simple, right? You just put one foot in front of the other. This can be harder than it sounds if your feet are sore or plagued by ailments like bunions, hammertoe, or plantar fasciitis. If you've ever struggled to simply put one foot in front of the other, you're familiar with this unique pain and frustration. Thankfully, podiatrists have solutions for most common foot ailments. In the articles we've collected here, you can learn all about those solutions, and also about podiatrists in general. We hope that by being more informed, you can take a more preventative approach to foot care also also know what to expect when you seek treatment.

Categories