Plantar Fasciitis Glenside
Guiding you toward better mobility, one step at a time.
Plantar fasciitis is a leading cause of heel pain. While it’s frequently seen in runners and individuals who are overweight, this condition can affect anyone.
Your feet contain thick bands of tissue known as the plantar fascia, which run along the bottom of each foot, connecting the heel bone to the toes. When this tissue becomes inflamed and painful, the condition is called plantar fasciitis.
Symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis occurs when the plantar fascia becomes inflamed. This inflammation can be triggered by:
- Sharp, stabbing foot pain, especially during your first steps in the morning
- Discomfort or aching in the bottom of your foot
- Persistent heel pain that worsens with activity
- Increased pain after physical exertion or extended standing
- Pain that intensifies when flexing your foot and eases when pointing your toes downward
The Causes of Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis occurs when the plantar fascia becomes inflamed. This inflammation can be triggered by:
- Excessive use of your feet
- High-impact activities like running, dancing, or aerobics that stress the heel bone
- Overstretching the plantar fascia
- Having a naturally high foot arch
- Flat feet or low arches
- Pregnancy-related changes in foot structure
- Age-related wear and tear, particularly in middle-aged or older adults
- Excess weight placing strain on the feet
- Extended periods of standing or being on your feet
- Tight calf muscles limiting foot flexibility
- Wearing unsupportive footwear with poor arch support or stiff soles
Find a better quality of life with plantar fasciitis treatment at SA Running Injury Clinic.
Plantar Fasciitis Treatment Options
Home Treatments
Most people with plantar fasciitis start by managing their symptoms with rest, icing, and anti-inflammatory medications.
Physical Therapy
Strengthening lower leg muscles through physical therapy focused on stretching the plantar fascia and Achilles tendon can be beneficial for plantar fasciitis.
Night splints
A night splint holds the plantar fascia in an extended position, encouraging gradual stretching and relief from tightness.
Orthotics
Custom-fitted arch supports, or orthotics, help distribute pressure evenly across your feet, reducing strain on the plantar fascia.
Shock wave therapy
When conservative treatments fail, shock wave therapy directs sound waves at the painful area to stimulate healing and recovery.
Walking boot, cane, or crutches
Using one of these for a short time can help reduce the pressure on your foot.
Your Plantar Fasciitis Questions Answered
When the plantar fascia, the ligament beneath your foot, becomes inflamed, it results in plantar fasciitis, often leading to pain when getting up after resting or following exercise.
Plantar fasciitis pain is often triggered when standing up and walking first thing in the morning. It can also flare up after prolonged standing or when rising from a seated position. Factors such as footwear, foot structure, and walking or running surfaces can contribute to its development.
Being overweight can add stress to the plantar fascia, making plantar fasciitis symptoms more severe. Ill-fitting shoes, intense sports, and long periods of standing can further exacerbate the condition.
A foot specialist, or podiatrist, is trained to assess and treat plantar fasciitis for long-term relief.
If plantar fasciitis is left untreated, you may unknowingly adjust your walking pattern to reduce discomfort. Over time, this compensation can lead to pain in other areas, including your legs, knees, hips, and back. In severe cases, untreated plantar fasciitis can result in a plantar rupture, requiring extended rest and recovery.
Rest, gentle stretching, massage, and ice therapy are effective home treatments for plantar fasciitis. Using an ice pack wrapped in a cloth for 15 minutes at a time, several times daily, may provide fast and lasting relief.
Taking a few steps after rest may reduce pain initially, but symptoms typically return and worsen with prolonged activity throughout the day.
Initially, plantar fasciitis pain peaks in the morning, but without intervention, it can intensify and persist throughout the entire day.
Schedule Your Podiatry Appointment Today
Booking an appointment at SA Running Injury Clinic is simple—do it online or call us directly. We have two clinics available for your convenience.
At our clinics in North Adelaide and Eastwood we provide care for patients from Walkerville, Unley, Prospect, St Peters, Brompton, Norwood, Thebarton, Mile End, Parkside, Glenside, Fullarton, Frewville, Highgate, Myrtle Bank, Glenunga, and surrounding areas.