Relief from the symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis can be achieved with our self-care tips and our professional help. Read on to find out how to identify Plantar Fasciitis and how we can help you here in Lymington to relieve your symptoms.
What is Plantar Fasciitis?
Plantar Fasciitis is pain on the bottom of your foot. It is more common than you think.
You will find it is painful first thing in the morning when you put weight on your foot. It should ease a bit after that if it is not too serious, but it can become a chronic condition which needs careful management. Important structural tissues become inflamed and start to cause issues.
There can be many reasons for Plantar Fascia, and it’s not always clear as to why it happens. In that respect it is very similar to frozen shoulder.
Who is Likely to Suffer from Plantar Fasciitis?
You are most likely to suffer from Plantar Fasciitis if you:
- are 40 to 60 years of age
- exercise with a tight calf or heel, or overstretch the sole of your foot during exercise
- recently started exercising on hard surfaces
- recently started doing a lot more walking, running or standing.
Main Symptom of Plantar Fasciitis
The main symptom of Plantar Fasciitis is pain on the bottom of your foot, around your heel and arch.
It’s more likely to be Plantar Fasciitis if:
- the pain is much worse when you start walking after sleeping or resting
- the pain feels better during exercise, but returns after resting
- it’s difficult to raise your toes off the floor.
How to Relieve Symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis
There are a few things that you can do to help yourself:
- put an ice pack (or bag of frozen peas) in a towel on the painful area for up to 20 minutes every 2 to 3 hours
- wear shoes with cushioned heels and good arch support
- try regular gentle stretching exercises
- try to lose weight, if you’re overweight
- avoid walking or standing for long periods
- avoid wearing high heels or tight pointy shoes
- avoid wearing flip-flops or backless slippers
- try out Colin’s Champagne Cork Exercise – follow the link to see his demonstration video.
If the pain does not resolve itself within a few weeks, and you find that it is beginning to affect your everyday activities, then it would be appropriate to seek some professional help.
How Professional Help Here in Lymington Can Help with Plantar Fasciitis Symptoms
Here at the Lymington Chiropractic Clinic, we have Paul Gray our podiatrist, who has over 40-years experience, to care for you. And our Chiropractors, can look at how the foot and lower limb function so that we can help to reduce the pain that you are experiencing.
Often we will provide advice and exercises to help speed up recovery, and Paul can provide helpful information on insoles and good foot hygiene for this condition.
Highlighted here are a couple of areas we will also look at in the foot – the intrinsic muscles under the sole of the foot or the connective tissue holding the top of the foot – all of which can influence the treatment outcome. The plantar aponeurosis and surrounding muscles and ligaments are then managed through care. This is where stretching and professional help can make a difference.
So, for relief from the symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis or other muscular-skeletal problems you can Book Online or call 01590 679560 for appointments with Chiropractors Ian, Abbi or Fiona, Sports Therapist Gareth or Massage Therapist Hannah.
For Podiatry appointments, call Paul directly on 07857137732.
For Acupuncture appointments, call Amanda directly on 07876 343 821.
For Counselling and Psychotherapy appointments, email Anna at [email protected].
(Credit: NHSD/Rich Kelly/Turbosquid)