Plantar Fasciitis

Imagine you wake up in the morning, and the moment you step down from your bed, your ankle area up to the heel aches or when you suddenly stand up after sitting for too long , and  as you take steps, you feel an excruciating pain in your heel area.

This excruciating pain occurs due to Plantar fasciitis.

Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common soft-tissue disorders of the foot.

It is a web-like ligament that connects your toes to your heel. It supports the arch of your foot in the same way a bowstring holds a bow, and helps you walk, jog, or run.

In simple words, it is a rubber band like structure which constantly stretches in and  out as you walk, jog, or run.

And that actually brings us to know about -

What causes it?

Primarily, Plantar fasciitis can be found among the young and middle-aged people. From athletes to non-athletes, it is a very common cause of pain at the bottom of the heel.

Imagine you have a rubber band and you hold it with both hands with the help of your index fingers and the thumbs, and you start stretching it constantly .As you continue to stretch it, you will notice that the rubber band  starts to lose its elasticity that it had previously. When you still continue to stretch it at a faster pace, it will eventually divide into two parts.

That is exactly what happens with Plantar fasciitis.

Normally, this ligament act as a shock absorber. It absorbs the normal erosion due to our daily life. However, when we walk for too long or run more than needed, more pressure is applied on the shock-absorber or Plantar fascia. This excess pressure causes the web-like structure to lose its grip and it starts to tear apart. This damage causes the plantar fascia to become inflamed, resulting in excruciating pain and stiffness.

Below are some possible reasons as to what causes Plantar fasciitis:

• Too much walking or running for long distances.

• Walking on any uneven surface for too long.

• Overweight is the major cause. This puts more pressure on the heel.

• Women who are in their last month of pregnancy normally experience a sharp pain in their heels as they walk around. 

When we wake up in the morning and step down from the bed and start to walk, the first step we take is painful. However, how does one know whether it is a tissue disorder or a mere pain?

That precisely takes us through to know:

What are the symptoms of Plantar fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis starts the same way as any other pain. A major indication is a dull pain which is mostly experienced in the first few steps one takes while waking up for the day and gradually reduces with more steps. Due to stiffness in the heel, one might feel the pain while climbing up the stairs or standing up after being seated for a long time.

This is the primary indication that your foot might be suffering from Plantar fasciitis. Ignoring this dull pain at the start can cause the ligament to swell and flare up the pain.It can affect both the feet or even one foot. Largely, the pain actually starts suddenly after any activity is stopped and not during the activity.

Below are some common symptoms:

• Pain in the heel or the mid area under the foot.

• Pain after running too long on the treadmill or after any exercise that includes putting pressure on the feet.

•  Pain in the heel area after getting out of bed in the morning or after a long period of rest, such as after a long car ride. However, the pain eases out after a few minutes of walking.

• Thus, in a nutshell, Plantar fasciitis is caused due to working for too long with your feet. The good news is that it can be prevented. If the pain worsens or prolongs, one should immediately seek medical advice.

Below are some ways you can prevent Plantar fasciitis:

• Avoid walking too much or causing strain to your foot muscles.

• Prevent yourself from walking on any uneven surface. Use shoes/slippers with soft sole/foam.

• Do not wear tight shoes that can cause your foot to shrink inside the shoe. This will cause pain when you remove them and try to walk.

• Soak your feet in warm water. This will relax the muscles.