If you are one of the millions of people who suffer from plantar fasciitis, you know how painful and debilitating this condition can be. The good news is that there are many ways to treat plantar fasciitis, and most of them are relatively easy to do. In this article, we will discuss the best ways to treat plantar fasciitis so that you can get back to living a pain-free life.
Treating Plantar Fasciitis The Right Way
If you are one of the many people who suffer from plantar fasciitis, you know how crippling the pain can be. It is a condition that affects the heel and underside of your foot. The plantar fascia is a band of tissue that runs along the bottom of your feet. When this tissue becomes inflamed, it causes heel pain and makes it difficult to walk. There are many ways to treat plantar fasciitis, but not all of them are effective.
Here are some ways how to treat the condition the right way:
1. Medications
The treatment of plantar fasciitis begins with over-the-counter pain relievers. Anti-inflammatory pills like ibuprofen can help reduce inflammation and provide relief from pain. Topical ointments that contain NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) can also be used to treat the condition, but they are only effective when used in combination with oral medications.
2. Therapies
Therapies for plantar fasciitis are numerous and range from the simple to the more complex. A few of the most common therapies include:
- Physical therapy.
A physical therapist may use a variety of techniques to help strengthen the muscles in your foot, stretch tight tendons and ligaments, and reduce pain. Physical therapy also can include taping or bracing to provide short-term relief until your heel cord and fascia have a chance to heal.
- Night splints.
Your doctor might recommend wearing night splints while you sleep if she suspects that your plantar fasciitis is related to tight calf muscles, especially if you tend to experience morning heel pain or stiffness after sleeping for long periods without moving around much. In this case, stretching the calf muscle keeps tension off the plantar fascia during sleep, helping it recover from the strain caused by activities such as running.
- Orthotics.
Your doctor might recommend orthotics (custom-made shoe inserts) if you have flat feet, overpronate, or have a high arch. Orthotics can help realign the bones in your foot and provide more support for your plantar fascia. They also can be used to distribute pressure on the bottom of your foot more evenly and reduce stress on certain areas affected by plantar fasciitis.
3. Surgical Or Other Procedures
There are a few surgical or other procedures that can be done to treat plantar fasciitis. Here are some:
4. Injections.
Some shots can be injected into the painful heel. These treatments include steroids, local anesthetics, and amniotic fluid extractions. They are usually used when other options have failed to treat plantar fasciitis after at least 12 months or more.
5. Extracorporeal shock wave therapy.
This treatment is used to treat chronic plantar fasciitis. It includes sound waves that are focused on the painful area of your heel. This helps reduce inflammation and promote healing. Although this procedure is effective, it does come with some risks such as bleeding, infection, swelling, and bruising at the site where shock waves were administered. Anesthesia may also be needed during this procedure depending on how much pain you’re in when doing it without anesthesia
6. Ultrasonic tissue repair.
This is a newer treatment that’s being used to treat plantar fasciitis. It uses high-frequency sound waves to help break down scar tissue and promote healing. This procedure usually only requires a local anesthetic.
7. Surgery
There are times when surgery may be needed to treat plantar fasciitis. If you have tried other treatments without success or if your symptoms are severe, then surgery may be recommended. Several different types of surgery can be performed, but they all have the same goal, to release the tension on the plantar fascia ligament so it can heal properly. The most common type of surgery is called a plantar fascia release. During this surgery, the surgeon will make an incision in the bottom of your foot and cut away any scar tissue or excess plantar fascia ligament that’s causing you pain. Although surgery is a last resort, it can be very effective in treating plantar fasciitis. Make sure to talk with your doctor about all of your treatment options and see what would be best for you.
If you’re one of the millions of people who suffer from Plantar Fasciitis, we understand how frustrating and debilitating it can be. We hope that this article has given you a few different treatment options to try so that you can find relief. If you haven’t found relief after trying some of these methods, or if your condition is more severe, don’t hesitate to call us today. Our team of experts will work with you to develop a treatment plan that helps you get back on your feet without pain.
Do You Need Help Treating Plantar Fasciitis?
The Shoe Doctor in Dublin, California has specialized in providing custom orthotics for over 20 years. The right custom orthotic insoles can greatly reduce foot, knee, and hip pain while increasing performance and comfort. Russell at The Shoe Doctor will help educate and assist you in finding the perfect solution for your particular situation. We will create a 3D map of your feet and make custom orthotics for your hiking boots, everyday shoes, and everything else in between. These orthotics, along with our expert advice, will get you using orthotics like a pro, and have you performing at the peak of your abilities in no time! If you are in the San Francisco Bay Area, give The Shoe Doctor a call to get the best custom orthotics in the area! We are here to assist you, schedule your free consultation here!
