What Can Cause Heel Pain at Certain Times of Day?
Do you wince when you first get out of bed in the morning? When you place your heel on the floor and put some weight on it, you may feel a stabbing pain that is certainly not a pleasant way to start your day. In this case, you could be suffering from a condition known as plantar fasciitis. What is this, and how can you take steps to deal with it?
What Is Plantar Fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is caused by stress and tension that affects a small band of tissue connecting the base of your toes to the heel bone. This tissue is critical as it helps absorb any shock when you place weight on the foot and supports the arch simultaneously. Small tears can develop when this tissue starts to fail, and as you stretch your foot, you may further inflame or irritate the problem.
What Causes the Condition?
A cause is not always obvious, although many long-distance runners suffer from this condition, as they stress the heel and tissue. Those people who carry excess weight may also encounter the problem, as may people who spend a lot of their time standing during the day.
While you may certainly notice plantar fasciitis when you get out of bed, the symptoms may also reappear during the course of the day. For example, it can be triggered when you exercise or get up from a seated position.
Many people report that the pain will gradually decrease as they walk around, but if you believe you are suffering from the condition, you should seek diagnosis and help.
Diagnosis
When you talk with a podiatrist, they may order some x-rays just to ensure you're not dealing with something else, like a stress fracture. Occasionally, people develop a bone spur, a tiny piece of bone that sticks out from the heel bone.
Therapies and Remedies
If the podiatrist believes you have plantar fasciitis, they may suggest some physical therapy, where you stretch the muscles carefully. They may also prescribe orthotics, custom-fitted arch supports that help distribute the pressure on your feet a lot more evenly and alleviate a lot of that unwelcome pain.
In some cases, shockwave therapy is used. This involves sound waves directed at the heel and believed to stimulate the healing process.
Taking Action
So, don't suffer in silence any longer if you believe you may have plantar fasciitis. Get in touch with a podiatrist for further information.
For more info, contact a local company like Sydney City Podiatry.