Plantar Fasciitis Malvern
Supporting your journey to improved mobility.
Plantar Fasciitis Treatment Malvern
A frequent cause of heel pain, plantar fasciitis is linked to running and excess weight, though it can impact people with various activity levels.
At SA Running Injury Clinic, we frequently see individuals from Malvern with plantar fasciitis and offer treatment at our Eastwood and North Adelaide clinics.
What is Plantar Fasciitis?
The plantar fascia, a thick tissue band running along the bottom of the foot, connects the heel bone to the toes. When it becomes inflamed and painful, it is referred to as plantar fasciitis.
What are the Symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis?
The most common symptoms of plantar fasciitis include:
- Intense pain in the feet, commonly experienced with your first steps in the morning.
- Discomfort in the bottom area of your foot.
- Ongoing heel pain throughout your daily routine.
- Pain that tends to intensify following physical activity.
- Pain that intensifies when flexing your foot and eases when pointing your toes downward.
Causes of Plantar Fasciitis and Heel Pain
Plantar fasciitis occurs when the plantar fascia becomes inflamed. This inflammation can be caused by:
- Overusing your feet
- Stress on the heel bone from physical activities like running, dancing, and aerobics may result in plantar fasciitis.
- Overstretching
- A high arch in your foot
- Low arches
- Pregnancy
- Being middle aged or older
- Being overweight
- Standing for long periods or spending much time on your feet
- Tight calf muscles
- Wearing shoes that lack proper arch support or have stiff soles
Improve your quality of life with effective plantar fasciitis treatment at SA Running Injury Clinic.
Plantar Fasciitis Treatment Options
Home Treatments
For those with plantar fasciitis, rest, icing, and anti-inflammatory medications are commonly the first steps in treatment.
Physical Therapy
Stretching exercises for the plantar fascia and Achilles tendon through physical therapy can enhance lower leg strength and improve plantar fasciitis.
Night splints
A splint worn overnight helps to lengthen the plantar fascia, promoting stretching of the ligament.
Orthotics
Orthotics, or custom-fitted arch supports, assist in distributing foot pressure evenly, which helps minimise stress on the plantar fascia.
Shock wave therapy
Shock wave therapy uses sound waves directed at the painful area to promote healing, typically when other treatments have not been effective.
Walking boot, cane, or crutches
Using a walking boot, cane, or crutches for a brief period can lessen the pressure placed on your foot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Plantar fasciitis is the inflammation of the plantar fascia, the ligament beneath your feet, which causes pain when standing after rest or following physical activity.
Plantar fasciitis pain can be triggered by standing up or walking first thing in the morning, after long periods of standing, or when rising from sitting. Contributing factors include footwear, foot structure, and the surfaces you walk or run on.
Plantar fasciitis may worsen with excess body weight, as it increases pressure on the plantar fascia. Other factors include ill-fitting shoes, high-impact activities, and standing for long periods.
Plantar fasciitis can be managed by seeing a podiatrist, a healthcare professional specialising in foot care.
If left untreated, plantar fasciitis may cause you to change your walking pattern to reduce pain, potentially leading to discomfort in other areas such as your legs, knees, hips, and back. It can also result in a plantar rupture, requiring prolonged rest.
To manage pain at home, resting, stretching, massage, and using ice packs can be effective. Applying an ice pack wrapped in cloth to the painful area for 15 minutes multiple times daily can provide quick relief.
Plantar fasciitis can occur gradually or suddenly.
Pain from sitting or lying down can be temporarily relieved by walking, but it often returns and becomes more intense later in the day.
The pain from plantar fasciitis is often most intense in the morning, and if untreated, it can persist longer, leading to discomfort throughout the day.
Plantar fasciitis typically improves within three to 12 months, depending on your activity levels and any at-home treatments you may be using.
Although plantar fasciitis can improve without treatment, it usually takes longer to heal compared to when treatment is involved.
Book Your Podiatry Appointment
Pain in the feet can affect everyday life, whether you’re an athlete or not. If you have pain in the bottom of your feet, it may be plantar fasciitis, which can worsen over time without proper treatment. Contact our team at SA Running Injury Clinic today to schedule your appointment.
_________________________________________________________________________
You can book your appointment with SA Running Injury Clinic either online or by phone. We have two clinics available for your convenience.
Call SA Running Injury Clinic, North Adelaide : 8239 1022
Call SA Running Injury Clinic, Eastwood : 8357 0700
Our clinics in North Adelaide and Eastwood welcomes patents from Malvern and nearby areas.