What is Plantar Fasciitis? – Diagnosis & Treatment
When Foot Pain Strikes—Understanding Plantar Fasciitis
On a beautiful sunny day, you decide to go on your favourite hike, one you’ve been enjoying for years. But just half an hour into the hike, you begin to feel pain and discomfort in the arch of your foot and heel. You stop, take a break on a bench, and push through. The next morning, your first step out of bed is met with sharp pain. “Ouch!” you think, “How did this happen? I was just walking!”
What Is the Plantar Fascia?
The human foot is a complex structure made up of bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles, and soft tissue that allows us to walk, run, and jump. One key part of this structure is the plantar fascia—a thick, fibrous band of tissue that runs along the sole of the foot, connecting the heel bone (calcaneus) to the base of the toes.
The plantar fascia supports the arch of the foot and plays a vital role in proper foot mechanics. It absorbs shock and maintains stability during activities like walking and running. However, overuse, stress, or biomechanical issues can lead to irritation and inflammation of this tissue, a condition known as plantar fasciitis.
What Is Plantar Fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain. It occurs when the fascia becomes inflamed due to stress, overuse, or improper foot mechanics. Pain is usually worst with the first steps in the morning or after long periods of rest.
Common risk factors for this condition include:
- Flat feet (Pes Planus) or high arches (Pes Cavus)
- Loss of ankle flexibility (dorsiflexion)
- Improper shoe fit or footwear
- High body weight (BMI)
- Diabetes
- Leg length discrepancy
- Tight calf or hamstring muscles
Diagnosis is clinical and based on your history and physical exam. Imaging such as X-rays, ultrasound, or MRI may be recommended to rule out other conditions.
Common Symptoms
Patients with plantar fasciitis may report:
- Sharp heel pain with the first steps in the morning or after rest
- Tenderness at the sole of the foot
- A tendency to walk on the toes or limp
- Increased pain when climbing stairs
Conservative Care Is Key
Initial treatment is conservative and highly effective. This may include:
- Rest and ice application
- Gentle stretching and strengthening exercises
- Supportive orthotics or shoe inserts
- Splints, taping techniques, or night supports
- Shockwave therapy
In more persistent cases, treatment may involve steroid injections, prolotherapy, platelet-rich plasma (PRP), or botulinum toxin injections. Patient education is essential to understanding the condition and facilitating healing.
What You Can Do at Home
Consistency and self-care play a major role in recovery. Daily stretches and ice therapy are often recommended. Here are a few home techniques:
- Wall calf stretches
- Toe scrunches and toe splaying
- Heel and toe raises
- Rolling your foot on a tennis ball or frozen water bottle
To try the frozen water bottle technique, simply freeze a water bottle, place it on the ground, and gently roll the arch of your foot over it to help reduce inflammation and discomfort.
At The Family Grande Chiropractic Clinic, our team of skilled doctors has helped many patients successfully recover from plantar fasciitis. With personalized, evidence-based care, we are here to support you on your journey to pain-free movement and optimal health.
Chiro-Trust.org