If your heels hurt, the cause of the pain may be Plantar Fasciitis! This term is so commonly used… but what does it even mean? Let’s dive into what the Plantar Fascia is, and why it could be the cause of your heel pain!
To start, it is important to note that Plantar Fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain – which is why we are raising awareness! The Plantar Fascia is the ligament that connects your heel bone to your toes. It supports the arch of your foot which is essential for walking, running and even just standing. Think about it this way, if you strain your Plantar Fascia, you’ll feel it even when you’re just standing still! Crazy right? Many people suffer with this on a day-to-day basis but do not know what it is called and simply refer to it as “Heel Pain” or even more generically “Sore Feet”.
You may be asking yourself, “How can someone strain a Plantar Fascia…? Is there something I am doing to cause this?”Here are some common reasons that can lead to plantar fascia strain, consider looking into it more if these descriptions match your lifestyle…
- You are on your feet a lot
- You walk barefoot on hard surfaces such as wood floors and tile
- You are flat-footed
- You have high or inclined arches
- You are a runner
- You are overweight
- You haven’t gotten a new pair of shoes in a while
- You have pain after walking up the stairs
Luckily for you, BioPed Footcare been dealing with pesky Plantar Fasciitis for over 35 years, and there a few tricks and tips we can recommend! First, if you haven’t already, you should see your local Pedorthist or Foot Care Nurse to get a concrete diagnosis as to what is causing your heel pain. BioPed Footcare has over 85 locations nationwide, and we offer risk-free assessments at each and every one – so this is a great place to start!
After having a diagnosis, here are some additional tips you can use…Start by giving your feet a rest. Plantar Fasciitis is the straining of the ligament which is the same as any other moving part in your body, and you wouldn’t workout your arms in the gym 3 days in a row, would you? A simple rest can help to ease the pain, even if its 30 mins after a walk to unwind, this will help a LOT!You can also use an ice pack on your heel to help reduce some of the swelling and pain that is associated with Plantar Fasciitis. Simply soaking your feet in an ice bath of cold water for 10 minutes a few times a week can significantly reduce the overall lasting effects of Plantar Fasciitis.Try doing some foot stretches and exercises that help reduce the straining on the Plantar Fascia. If you need some good exercises that you can use, check out our video here showcasing some easy workouts you can do at home!
Lastly, you can invest in a pair of supportive walking shoes and custom orthotics! Shoes with good arch support are critical in reducing strain, as they help give your over-worked arch a break! Custom orthotics will do the best job at this, as they are specifically designed to your arch, and they provide optimal support to areas that need them the most! BioPed Footcare is Canada’s leading orthotic insole provider, so we have you covered in this department!
In terms of how long your Plantar Fasciitis pain should last, well this is a very subjective question. This depends on your activity level, how much time you’re allowing your feet to rest, whether you wear orthotics or not, and your overall commitment to eliminating the pain once and for all!Typically, pain will start to decline in a week if you follow a set treatment plan. The pain will come and go, like when you work out a muscle – as the Plantar Fascia gets used on a daily basis. The pain may go away entirely after a few months to a year, but not to worry because we will be with you every step of the way, no matter what!
