A pain in the heel: about Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar Fasciitis is often described as “heel pain”, but it affects more of the foot than just your heels. The main symptom is significant pain:
- on the bottom of your foot
- around your heel
- around the arch of your foot
Unlike muscle sprains and strains, Plantar Fasciitis will often result in:
- an increase in pain when you start to move after resting or sleeping
- a decrease in pain when you exercise
- difficulty in raising your toes off the floor when standing
What causes Plantar Fasciitis?
Plantar Fasciitis affect the area between the middle of your foot and your heel bone. The pain is a result of inflammation of the plantar fascia tendon. This tendon supports the arch of your foot and absorbs shock when your foot makes contact with the ground.
Often, there is no direct traceable cause, but your risk of getting an inflamed plantar fascia tendon is increased if you:
- work or exercise on a hard floor
- significantly increase your running, walking or standing activity each day
- wear shoes that offer little or no support
- are overweight
- wear ill-fitting shoes or safety boots
Help from Hunt Footcare
If you are experiencing the symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis, or if foot pain is stopping you doing everyday activities, first call us to book an appointment.
(3 x tel numbers here)
Our experienced team can help alleviate the pain, help heal and rehabilitate the tendon, and also help prevent future problems in three ways:
Physical therapies and treatments
Our professional foot care team can help with physical therapies including stretching and strengthening programs for you to follow.
We may use shockwave therapy and PhotoBioModulation (PBM) Therapy in your treatment for plantar fasciitis.
Our staff trained on the McMaster University Contemporary Medical Acupuncture Program so may also suggest acupuncture for your plantar fasciitis. If required, Hunt Footcare can also prescribe anti inflammatory medication and administer cortisone injections.
Splints and socks
Your foot care specialist here at Hunt Footcare may provide you with a Straussberg sock. You wear it at night to relieve the pressure on the tendon, speeding up recovery times. Known as a resting splint, this special sock maintains long-term low yield stress on the plantar fascia while you sleep.
Night braces (splints) are more substantial that a Straussberg sock, and also help with recovery and correct healing by gently stretching the tendon while you sleep. Night braces hold your foot in what is known as the “dorsiflexion” position.
Custom made orthotics
Custom foot orthotics can help resolve plantar fasciitis and heel pain by to improving foot function and balance. Our orthotics are custom-made to fit your feet, and to give you the specific support you need. Your made-to-measure custom orthotics can be inserted into your everyday shoes, sports footwear, work boots, or safety shoes.
Self-help for Plantar Fasciitis
If you have foot pain related to Plantar Fasciitis, there are several ways to ease the symptoms before your appointment with us.
- Apply an ice pack (or bag of frozen peas) wrapped in a towel to the painful part of your foot for up to 20 minutes every 3 hours.
- Raise and rest your foot when you can.
- Swap your flat summer sandals, deck shoes or flip-flops for trainers or shoes with a cushioned sole and support for your arches.
- Do not walk or stand for long periods of time.
Need to book an appointment for heel pain or foot pain?
Call us for an appointment at any of our three local podiatry clinics in London, Ingersoll and Stratford Ontario.
