Plantar Fasciitis Norwood
Helping you move with ease, one step at a time.
Heel pain from plantar fasciitis is widespread, particularly among runners and overweight individuals, but no one is immune to this condition.
The plantar fascia is a thick band of tissue that supports the arch of your foot, extending from the heel bone to the toes. Inflammation of this tissue leads to plantar fasciitis, a common cause of heel pain.
Symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis
The primary symptoms of plantar fasciitis may include:
- Severe stabbing pain in your feet, usually strongest in the morning when stepping out of bed
- Soreness or aching in the underside of your foot
- Heel pain that persists throughout daily activities
- A spike in pain levels after engaging in physical exercise
- Pain that flares up when flexing your foot but eases when pointing your toes downward
The Causes of Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis develops due to inflammation of the plantar fascia, often resulting from:
Find a better quality of life with plantar fasciitis treatment at SA Running Injury Clinic.
Plantar Fasciitis Treatment Options
Home Treatments
Rest, ice, and anti-inflammatory medications are often the first line of treatment for plantar fasciitis.
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
Wearing a splint overnight helps maintain a lengthened position for the plantar fascia, supporting effective stretching of the ligament.
Orthotics
Custom-fitted arch supports, or orthotics, help distribute pressure evenly across your feet, reducing strain on the plantar fascia.
Shock wave therapy
In shock wave therapy, sound waves are applied to the affected area to encourage healing, often used for cases that don’t respond to standard treatments.
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
Plantar fasciitis occurs when the plantar fascia, the ligament running along the bottom of your foot, becomes inflamed, leading to pain when standing after long periods of rest or following physical activity.
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.
Additional body weight increases the load on the plantar fascia, worsening plantar fasciitis. Wearing unsupportive shoes, participating in impact-heavy sports, or spending excessive time on your feet can also aggravate symptoms.
A podiatrist, a specialist in foot health, can provide targeted treatment for plantar fasciitis.
Leaving plantar fasciitis untreated can force you to adjust your walking style, putting stress on other parts of your body like your legs, knees, hips, and back. In more serious cases, the condition may progress to a plantar rupture, requiring an extended period off your feet.
Managing plantar fasciitis at home with rest, stretching, massage, and ice packs can ease discomfort. Applying an ice pack wrapped in a cloth for 15 minutes several times a day is a simple yet effective way to relieve pain and inflammation.
Although walking can temporarily ease pain after sitting or lying down for extended periods, discomfort often returns and worsens as the day progresses.
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.