One of the most common problems encountered in practice as an Alexandria VA podiatrist is patients complaining of persistent heel and arch pain.
So, in this post, we’re going to focus on a few things you need to know about heel and arch pain caused by plantar fasciitis.
Point #1 What is plantar fasciitis?
Do you feel a stabbing pain in the back of your foot when you wake up in the morning? For a runner, this could be indicative of a condition known as plantar fasciitis.
The plantar fascia itself is a band of tissue in your foot that runs from the base of your toes up to your heel. When the plantar muscle lying beneath this tissue weakens, each step you take will trigger soreness.
The pain can be exacerbated by wearing worn-out running shoes, working out on surfaces not conducive for high-impact activities, and overall bad training habits.
Point #2 The need to invest in your feet
When it comes to fixing arch pain caused by fasciitis, there are several remedial things you can do such as:
- Switching to softer running and workout surfaces
- Gradually working up your training instead of ramping it up suddenly
- Wearing supportive shoes during training and outside your training
- And speaking of investing…
Point #3 Don’t ignore extreme pain
Most people are able to tolerate mild to moderate arch pain and address it at home. How? By stretching and massaging your heel and under your foot routinely throughout the day and by taking anti-inflammatory medication to relieve pain.
However, there comes a time when you can’t and shouldn’t ignore the pain. When is that?
- When the arch pain refuses to go away
- When your natural gait has been altered and,
- When you perceive redness, bruising, or swelling around your heel
At this point, it’s time to schedule an appointment with an Alexandria VA podiatrist to rule out other running injuries like stress fractures and ankle sprains.
Suffering from arch pain?
Dr. Lonny Nodelman and the team over at District Foot and Ankle are here to help. Request your appointment today.
Looking for more insight? Check out our previous posts:
- The Overlooked Risks of Cortisone Injections in the Foot and Ankle
- Cortisone Shot in Foot, Does it Help?
- Inner Ankle Pain
Disclaimer: Any information provided in this blog is not intended to replace medical advice given by qualified professionals.