Plantar fasciitis is an overuse injury and a common cause of heel pain. If you experience heel discomfort after long periods of rest or when you wake up in the morning, then your podiatrist may diagnose you with plantar fasciitis. Continue reading for tips on managing this condition.
Rest Your Foot
Plantar fasciitis develops when the plantar fascia ligament becomes inflamed due to overuse. For this reason, podiatrists advise patients to rest their foot to avoid aggravating their symptoms and allow the inflammation to subside. Keep weight off your foot and switch to low-impact activities to allow your foot to heal.
Ice Your Foot
Applying cold to the area is an excellent way to address inflammation in the plantar fascia. You can help reduce your pain symptoms and the inflammation by special exercises and applying ice in the form of an ice pack, ice bath, or ice massage 3 to 4 times each day or after activity.
Take Pain Relievers
Your foot doctor may advise you to take over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) to help you manage your pain and reduce inflammation in the plantar fascia ligament.
Stretch Your Foot
Many patients find that performing stretches for their plantar fascia, Achilles tendon, and calf muscles can help manage their plantar fasciitis symptoms. Speak with your podiatrist about what stretches he suggests for plantar fasciitis.
Strengthen Your Muscles
Increasing the stability of your foot can help reduce the movement that is the cause of your plantar fasciitis. For this reason, you might benefit from performing exercises that strengthen your foot and lower leg muscles.
Wear Custom Orthotics
When the arch of your foot gets plenty of support, this can distribute weight across your foot more evenly and take some of the pressure off your heel. For this reason, wearing orthotic inserts that are custom-made for the shape of your foot and designed to offer the arch support may provide you with relief from plantar fasciitis symptoms.
Are you looking for treatment for plantar fasciitis near Whitestone? If so, then please contact Family Foot Center today by calling (718) 767-5555.