Plantar Fascia
PLANTAR FASCIA
COMMON SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
- Pain and tenderness under the heel and may radiate along the arch of the foot
- Pain is usually most notable with the first few steps when getting out of bed in the morning or after sitting for period of time
- Continued stress if not treated could lead to heel spurs (Heel Spur Syndrome)
CAUSATIVE FACTORS
- Most common cause is due to hyperpronation of the foot or feet (flat feet)
- Normally the foot will roll inward (pronate) with each step* excessive movement or lack of support creates an over stretching of the fascia leading to inflammation
- Improper fitting of shoes that do not match foot structure** and/or lack sufficient structural support
- Training errors such as: running up and down too many hills, on crowned roads, increasing mileage too soon, coming off an injury too soon, or simply going too fast too soon
** See Shoes
TREATMENT CONSIDERATIONS
- Use of ice to control pain and reduce inflammation and swelling
- Stretching exercises of the fascia, lower leg musculature and Achilles Tendon
- A heel cup may help ease pressure on the heel
- Eliminate causative factors like hills, decrease mileage and speed
- If contributing factors are due to hyperpronation (rolling inward) of the feet causing the biomechanical alternations then custom made Stabilizing Orthotics should be considered to support the excessive movement of the foot
- Proper footwear to match foot structure to allow proper movement and support of the foot’s arch*
- Get an analysis of your gait cycle (running or walking form) by a biomechanical specialist.
