Oh, your aching feet! Specifically, your heels! If you’re experiencing foot pain, you very well may be suffering from plantar fasciitis (say “PLAN-ter fash-ee-EYE-tus) or a really grouchy, strained, inflamed plantar fascia.
This protocol is for home use and is intended to help aide in the treatment of Plantar Fasciitis.
Plantar fasciitis is a condition where the strong fibrous connective tissue that is located under the arch of the foot becomes inflamed and irritated. This is most often due to overuse whether from standing, walking, running or wearing shoes that due not support the longitudinal arch of the foot. It extends from the front of the heel bone to the base of the toes.
When the plantar fasciitis gets irritated it causes pain while weight bearing particularly in the morning or when initiating exercise. Plantar fasciitis left untreated can lead to heel spurs that may require surgery. Plantar fasciitis may subside over time with rest but if it persists, these suggestions that can be done at home will help alleviate the pain.
First, heat the area for 15-20 minutes using a warm bath or heating pad. This helps soften the tissues as well as bring extra blood flow to the plantar fascia.
Then, while seated roll a golf ball under the arch of the foot from the front of the heel to the base of the toes using moderate pressure. If you find a particularly tender area, you can concentrate pressure in this area. Do this for 5 minutes, then repeat on the other side.
Next, stretch the calf muscles is essential to relieving the strain on the plantar fascia. Do this by sitting with your leg extended forward, then pull the toes back towards your body using a belt or a towel with your leg straight for thirty seconds and repeat three times. Then bend your knee approximately 30 degrees and repeat the stretch three times for thirty seconds.
Lastly, ice the plantar fascia buy rolling a frozen water bottle under the foot while seated. By freezing a plastic water bottle it is easy and convenient to ice the area from the base of the heel to the balls of the feet. Since the ice is being applied directly to the plantar fascia, 5-7 minutes is all that is necessary, but may be repeated several times per day to reduce inflammation.
