Plantar fasciitis affects millions worldwide and causes painful heel pain. Plantar fasciitis occurs when the band of tissue, the plantar facia, that connects toes to heel, is inflamed. The good news is that there are a variety of plantar fasciitis treatment.
Plantar Fasciitis and its Treatment
Understand the causes and symptoms before exploring treatment options. It is usually caused by excessive use, inappropriate footwear, and biomechanical issues. Plantar fasciitis can affect runners, those with flat or swollen feet, and individuals with tight muscles in the calf.
In most cases, the symptoms include a sharp pain on the heel. This is especially noticeable when the patient takes their first steps each morning or returns to normal activity after an extended period of time off. In the course of the disease, pain in the heel may increase, impacting daily activities and quality-of-life.
Treatment Options for Conservative Treatment
Take a Break and Enjoy Ice-Cream:
The first thing to do when treating plantar, fasciitis, is to let the affected foot rest. It is important to avoid any activities that can aggravate the condition, like prolonged periods of standing up or vigorous exercise. By applying ice on the affected area, for 15-20 minute intervals at a go, you can relieve pain and reduce swelling.
Stretching exercises
The plantar fascia can be relaxed by performing stretching exercises that focus on the Achilles and calf muscles. Regular stretching can reduce symptoms and improve flexibility, especially when done before getting out from bed.
Supportive Footwear
People with plantar faciitis must ensure they wear footwear with adequate arch support, cushioning and a good fit. Supportive footwear distributes pressure evenly on the feet and helps reduce strain to the plantar fascia. Additionally, orthotic inserts and custom-made soles provide support.
Night Splints
A night splint, worn during sleep to keep the foot dorsiflexed and stretch the plantar facia and Achilles tendons. You can use this to reduce the morning stiffness.
Medical Interventions
Anti-Inflammatory Medications:
NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications), like ibuprofen for example, may help reduce pain and inflammation in plantar fasciitis. These drugs must only be prescribed by a doctor.
Physical Therapy
They can also provide exercises designed to improve the flexibility and strengthen the muscles of the foot. Additionally, they might use techniques like ultrasound or massage in order to boost healing.
Corticosteroid Injections:
These injections can be prescribed in severe cases of pain and inflammation. These injections inject anti-inflammatory medicine directly into affected area to provide temporary relief.
Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy
ESWT (Electro-Shock Wave Therapy) is an noninvasive technique that utilizes shock waves to encourage healing within the affected tissues. This is a treatment that’s reserved for situations where conservative methods have failed.
With the correct combination of medical and conservative interventions, plantar fasciitis is a painful, persistent condition. However, there are ways to alleviate it. Individuals experiencing symptoms should consult a health professional to receive an accurate diagnosis and develop a personalized treatment plan. The road to recovery starts with an integrated and proactive approach.
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