Plantar Fasciitis Pain and How it Can Be Helped With Orthotic Inserts and Foot Stretching Exercises
It is not uncommon for many people nowadays to be afflicted by heel pain that is so excruciating that it may prevent enjoying everyday things in life. Plantar fasciitis pain is one of the most common foot ailments among people today. The discomfort can begin as an irritating pain that you feel sometimes, and escalate into an intense pain that is felt every day. Sometimes, a hurting heel can go away on its own, but, if left untreated, the pain in the heel can worsen.
People can complain of heel pain in two main areas of the heel, under the heel and in the back of the heel. Commonly, when people feel pain in the back of the heel it is related to wear and tear or inflammation of the Achilles tendon. When people feel heel pain, it can be caused by a person stepping on a large stone or rock which bruises the heel, or the tissue in the bottom of the foot known as the plantar fascia can become inflamed. A heel that is hurt by a sharp object will heal on its own over time. However, if the foot pain is a result of inflammation of the plantar fascia, there are a few things that need to be done to help including heel pain exercises and orthotics.
The plantar fascia is the soft tissue on the bottom of the foot that connects the heel to the toes. Under regular conditions, the plantar fascia is a flexible and strong section of the foot that helps the foot to support our weight and allows us to stay balanced. If the foot is under abnormal stress, such as excessive body weight, repetitive movements from sports, age or compromised foot function, it can cause small tears in the plantar fascia. These tiny tears typically occur near the calcaneus bone (heel bone), where they become inflamed and cause pain. If this tissue is repeatedly stretched it can cause the formation of heel spurs. Heel spurs are boney growths on the heel that can be the source of much pain.
If you are feeling heel pain, a suggested approach to help alleviate the stress on the bottom of the foot is to use orthotic shoe inserts and do foot pain exercises, that will strengthen the plantar fascia as well. One of the prescribed heel pain exercises is to stretch the foot before getting out of bed. The Plantar Fascia can tighten while you sleep, which causes the strong pain that people feel when they get up. By stretching the bottom of the foot before putting pressure on it, you can alleviate the pain you feel with your first morning steps. Another helpful exercise for stretching out the plantar fascia is to use the arch of the foot to roll a tennis ball or rolling pin. As this becomes less and less difficult you can try the same exercise in the standing position.
The next helpful thing to do is immediately put on a sturdy pair of shoes and orthotic insoles. This will help to cushion and support the bottom of your foot and help to keep it from additional damage. If you use the proper heel pain exercises and orthotic shoe inserts, you will see a great improvement in your heel pain. Make sure to pay attention to your body and if you are experiencing foot pain, see a doctor as soon as possible. This will ensure that your pain does not develop into a more serious condition.
Tags: arch supports, foot pain, foot strecthing exercises, heel pain, orthotic insoles, orthotics, plantar fasciitis, plantar fasciitis exercises, plantar fascitis