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Plantar Fascia
COMMON SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
- Pain and tenderness under the heel and can 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)
DEFINITIONS & ANATOMY
- Plantar Fascia is an inflammation (it is) of the plantar (bottom side of foot) fascia (connective tissue supplying support).
- Originates from the heel (calcaneous) and spreads forward to the toes
- Is the main support to maintain the arch of your foot
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 (see gait cycle) excessive movement or lack of support creates an over stretching of the fascia leading to inflammation
- Improper fitting shoes that do not match foot structure (see shoes) and/or lack sufficient structural support
- Training errors 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
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 alterations then custom made Spinal Pelvic Stabilizers (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 foots arches (see shoes)
- Get an analysis of your gait cycle (running or walking form) by a biomechanical specialist. See How We Can Help
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