Plantar fasciitis is a condition that causes pain around the heel and sole of the foot. It is generally worse when you start walking after you have been resting your feet. The condition may get better on its own, but there are some things you can do to help.
Raise your feet
The best thing you can do to help alleviate the symptoms is to rest your feet as much as you can. If possible, raise them on a stool, particularly if you can raise them higher than the level of your heart. This helps the blood to flow away from your feet, which will relieve some of the pressure.
Use an ice pack
Another way to help with the pain is to use an ice pack — or a bag of frozen peas if you do not have one. Hold the pack against the part of the foot that is hurting. This will numb the area and will reduce the pain. It will also reduce the flow of blood in the area and so will lower the build-up of fluid in the foot.
Use supports
One of the causes of plantar fasciitis is wearing shoes that do not support the arch of the foot. You can therefore help to treat the condition by changing your footwear. Shoes that support the arch will remove the cause and should help with healing. You can also buy insoles or heel pads to put in your existing shoes which will also help. Your feet need good support when they are walking, so make sure your footwear isn't making things worse.
Gentle exercise
People suffering from plantar fasciitis can benefit from gentle stretching exercises. Try not to overdo it and stop at once if you experience pain. You may also want to change your exercise regime to activities that do not put pressure on the feet — swimming or cycling instead of running, for example.
See a podiatrist
Finally, don't be afraid to talk to a specialist, particularly if the condition persists after a couple of weeks. A podiatrist will be able to recommend insoles or footwear, and can also prescribe an exercise programme that will accelerate the healing process.
With professional help, your foot pain from plantar fasciitis will soon be a thing of the past. Make an appointment with a company—such as Sydney City Podiatry— and you will be on the way to a full recovery from this painful and annoying condition.
