Do Your Feet Hurt? You Might Have Plantar Fasciitis

If you suffer from pain between the ball of the foot and the heel, or just focused on the heel, you might have plantar fasciitis (PF), which is caused when the tendonlike tissue at the bottom of your foot (the fascia) becomes shorter. This can become very painful when stretched, such as when you first walk barefoot in the morning.
CAUSES.

The reason PF is so common is because simple everyday activities can cause it, including:

• Wearing high heels (including cowboy boots) for long periods of time.
• Gaining weight (which can break down the pad of fatty tissue under your heel bone).
• Increased walking, standing, or stair climbing.
• Increasing your workouts or wearing worn-out shoes if you are a runner.

TREATMENT varies with each patient. One of our patients, who also developed bone spurs on her heels, had been in pain for several years. She saw a drastic improvement and an end to her foot pain when she switched to wearing Burkenstock shoes, at the recommendation of one of our doctors. “Just this simple suggestion, and I can finally walk pain-free again,” she said. Other tips:

• Rest your heels for a few days when the pain is severe.
• Stretch your feet, particularly in the morning before you get up. We can show you the best exercises to follow.
• Anti-inflammatory medications, such as aspirin or ibuprofen, may help.
• Put your heels on ice packs for a few minutes several times daily.
  

There are other possible treatments, such as athletic taping, splints, cortisone injections into the heel, wearing athletic shoes or sole supports, and avoiding going barefoot. Physical therapy might also be useful. If you are suffering from pain, come see us at the Dimond or Wasilla Medical Clinic for assessment and treatment options.

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