FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the best treatment for plantar fasciitis?
The best treatment for plantar fasciitis includes a rehab regimen of pain-relieving drugs, physical therapy, wearing night splints, and other foot support devices. As a start, non-steroidal pain relievers (NSAIDs) can relieve the searing pain enough for a physical therapist to lead you through exercises that extend your fascia and Achilles tendon. After the initial sessions, the physical therapist will give you a list of exercises to do at home between sessions. To extend the healing effect of stretching your foot, a Plantar Fasciitis Night Splint keeps your plantar fascia and Achilles tendon lengthened throughout the night. If your condition is more severe, your doctor might recommend a walking boot, a resting foot sling, or other lower extremity supports like a Game Ready® Half-Leg Boot Compression Wrap with ATX™.
How long does plantar fasciitis last with treatment? Without treatment?
With proper treatment, over 90 percent of plantar fasciitis suffers experience recovery within six months. However, people who forego treatment can struggle with the ailment for a year or more. Plantar fasciitis may feel like inflammation. But it is closer to a degenerative problem affecting the fascia tissue connecting your toes to your heel bone. This is why this painful condition can persist for a long time without treatment. In addition to treatment, you can shorten your recovery time by wearing orthotic insoles, heel inserts, or heel cushions.
Can I cure my plantar fasciitis at home?
Most plantar fasciitis sufferers can cure their plantar fasciitis within a half year with at-home treatments. With non-steroidal pain killers being available over the counter, you can conduct your at-home treatments with your recommended lower extremity exercises and regular use of night splints, supportive footwear, walking boots, or other outpatient orthopedic supplies.
How do I relieve my heel pain from plantar fasciitis?
You can reduce heel pain by icing the inflamed area for 15 minutes about three times a day, wearing plantar fasciitis heel cups, keeping your weight healthy, resting, and avoiding standing for extended periods. Also, increasing evidence shows that Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) significantly curbs heel pain, redness, and inflammation from plantar fasciitis. The TENS unit works by sending small doses of electrical current through your feet to stimulate the nerves and improve blood flow.
What causes plantar fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis occurs when the plantar fascia ligament receives excessive strain, causing the ligament to weaken, swell and become inflamed. As a result, you can experience a sharp pain in your heel or arch when you take your first steps out of bed in the morning. In addition, constant duress can cause further damage to the plantar fascia in the form of micro-tears. The significant sources of strain on the plantar fascia are repetitive motion and persistent pressure on your foot or arch. These causes are why most plantar fasciitis sufferers are runners, jumpers, overweight people, and workers who must stand for long periods.
Do foot massages help plantar fasciitis?
Foot massages are invaluable therapy for plantar fasciitis. For example, rolling a TriggerPoint™ MBX® Massage Ball or a Foot Rubz Foot Massage Ball under your feet creates steady pressure that interrupts pain receptors in your brain and promotes blood flow to your arch and heel. Plus, you can use the massage balls or a TheraBand® Foot Roller to massage your feet while sitting at your work desk or watching a movie at home. To add cold therapy, you can put the foot massager ball in your freezer until you use it.
What type of stretching routine is best to relieve plantar fasciitis pain?
There are several assisted and unassisted stretches you can do as part of a terrific stretching routine to relieve the pain from your plantar fasciitis. For an extensive and controlled foot stretch, you can use the ProStretch Wooden Big Foot - Bilateral Calf Stretcher & Foot Rocker. You can also use a small stack of books to pivot your foot as you lean toward a wall. In addition, a towel stretch is very effective.
MEDICAL ADVICE DISCLAIMER
The information, including but not limited to text, graphics, images, charts, and any other material on this site, is intended for informational purposes only and does not take the place of medical guidance provided by your physician. No information on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult a qualified medical professional about your condition or circumstances before undertaking a new healthcare regimen.