A 2004 study by the School of Allied Health Professionals reports that almost 20 percent of the population will be troubled with plantar fascitis at some point in their lives. As one of the most prevalent foot problems in America, it is amazing to see the variation in treatment for this disorder.
Treatment ranges anywhere from over-the-counter drugs, all the way up to surgery. Most people will consult their primary medical doctor, and some will go as far as to see an orthopedic surgeon or podiatrist for this chronic problem.
Research also says that this disorder is becoming more prevalent. This is attributed to modern foot wear, hard level floors, and sleeping positions. Unfortunately for your feet, fashion dictates footwear, not function. High heels, sandals, and flip-flops are all a source of excessive stress on the tissues of the feet. Our foot is supposed to have an arch to it, allowing for shock absorption as it gives while walking. If we continuously walk on concrete and tile floors our foot is forced to absorb too much stress, and irritation to the fascia can arise. It has also been shown that sleeping with our sheets tucked in too tightly, can force us to lay with our toes pointed, and this can shorten the plantar fascia at night becoming a source of irritation when we go to stretch the tissues in the morning.
The plantar fascia is a strong triangular-shaped ligament in the bottom of the foot, and it is one of the main structures that give our feet an arch. Many runners talk about pronation and over-pronation as a source of plantar fascitis. Put simply, pronation is the act of our foot flattening out when we put weight on it. Although this may be a source for irritation to the tissues, supination, or the foot not flattening out enough, may cause fascitis as well.
Today we do know that ice, orthotics, ultrasound, cortisone shots, and stretching/rehabilitation to the plantar fascia can all help aid in its healing. With no treatment, heel spurs can start to develop, and they can make the plantar fascitis even worse. Some good home therapies include icing the foot, stretching out the tissues by rolling our foot over a golf ball, and stretching the calf muscle regularly. As with any medical condition it is always best to consult with a health care provider to make sure that there are no other underlying problems, and also to prevent any further injury.
We can also be smart about our feet. Anyone with foot problems will tell you, that pain with walking can be incredibly burdensome to daily life. Simply stretching on a daily basis and wearing roomy flat shoes with a good arch support may help us avoid this disorder. These educated choices can help us keep the only two feet we have happy and healthy.