Many people who run and exercise on a regular basis complain of heel pain from time to time. When the pain occurs occasionally, it can be attributed to the daily strain of the muscles during exercise. However, consistent pain that will not abet even when you try massage therapy and a change of sports shoes could mean that there is an underlying medical condition. One of the most severe of these conditions is plantar fasciitis. This is a condition where the strips of tissue that runs across the sole of the foot and connect the heel to the toes, caleld plantar fascia, get inflamed.

Diagnosis of Plantar Fasciitis

The typical symptom of fasciitis is a stabbing pain which occurs mostly when you stand up from sleeping or sitting position. The pain decreases as you go about your daily activities, but at times it may return throughout the day. Athletes, people who are overweight and people that wear shoes without adequate support are most likely to suffer from fasciitis. The plantar fascia tissue acts as a shock-absorbing mechanism when your feet are hitting the ground. When the stain is too much on the tissue, it starts overstretching and tearing, which leads to the pain. A qualified podiatrist will assess your symptoms to diagnose the condition.

Physical therapy

If the podiatrist feels that the damage is minor and that the tissue can repair itself, they may merely recommend painkillers and staying off your feet until you completely heal. Physical therapy involves stretching exercises that stretch both the Achilles tendon and the plantar fascia to promote healing and boost muscle elasticity. Treatment could also include the use of athletic taping to support the bottom of the foot.

Orthotics and surgery

If the damage is extensive, the podiatrist could recommend orthotics. These are specially made arch supports which help distribute the weight of the body more evenly when you are on the move. If all these measures do not heal the foot, surgery could be used as a last resort. The operation involves detaching the plantar fascia from the heel, and its side effect is weakening of your feet's arch support.

Other therapies used by podiatrists to deal with plantar fasciitis include steroid injections, Tenex surgery to remove scar tissue and shock wave therapy whose focus is to heal the scars. Consulting a podiatrist will be the first step in getting a diagnosis and starting treatment.