One thing that can really set an individual back is foot pain. It makes everything a hassle, from daily activities to simply standing. A very common source of foot pain that we see quite often is Plantar Fasciitis and today I’m going to break down what to expect if you have the condition and what it means for you.
What Is Plantar Fasciitis?
The Plantar Fascia is a thick band of connective tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot. It is a very important component of our anatomy that enables us to walk and run efficiently. Fasciitis is inflammation within that tissue and can be quite painful and debilitating. It follows a common pattern of:
Building pain after activity –> Soreness the next morning –> Pain possibly fading away as the body “warms up”
What can be done about it?
Many people try to just rest it, however, while there be some pain relief, as soon as activity increases again the fasciitis will likely return more intensely. Therefore, a graded exercise program that deals more with optimal loading of the tissue and building up its capacity can result in the complete resolution of symptoms. Additional therapies such as SCENAR, dry needling, and manual therapy have been shown to shorten the overall recovery time.
How long can I expect treatment to take?
The exercise program is designed to be continually performed in order to maintain the newfound strength and function, but when you first are experiencing lots of pain treatment normally is around 4-8 weeks.
What happens within our treatments?
The treatments will work on:
- Reducing the inflammation and tightness in the plantar fascia
- Correcting lower limb biomechanics (how you walk, run, jump, etc.)
- Increasing the strength of supporting musculature in order to take the load off of the knee.
Can anything else help me?
Some adjunct therapies/products that may help in your treatment of plantar fasciitis include; orthotics, Theractive, therabands and fisiocrem.
Too long, didn’t read?
Plantar Fasciitis needs more than just rest to fully recover. A graded exercise program led by one of our physiotherapists will get you back into the activities you want to be doing.
