WHAT IS PLANTAR FASCIITIS?
Plantar fasciitis is a very common condition involving inflammation and pain of the plantar fascia, a large, wide connective tissue structure that helps support the arch of your foot. Affecting both feet in 1/3 of all cases, plantar fasciitis accounts for 10-15% of all foot conditions that require professional treatment.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE SYMPTOMS?
A classic sign of plantar fasciitis is severe heel pain, which becomes worse when you initiate walking, especially when you take your first step out of bed in the morning. Other symptoms include swelling, an inability to bear weight or a numbness of the foot and ankle.

WHO GETS PLANTAR FASCIITIS?
Plantar fasciitis can affect just about anyone, but the most common at-risk age group is individuals from 40 to 60 years old. Some of the contributing factors are involvement in running or any type of repetitive and prolonged weight-bearing activity, your body weight and choice of footwear. Runners and military personnel have a high rate of plantar fasciitis, as well as those individuals who are overweight or those who choose poor or incorrect footwear.

WHAT CAUSES THIS CONDITION?
Repetitive use of a tendon or ligament will cause some breakdown of the tissues. This is normal, and the body typically can heal those tissues; however, when overused, the body cannot heal itself fast enough. In other cases, some people simply have poor lower extremity movement patterns and body alignment that may predispose them to overstressing this tissue.

HOW IS IT TREATED?
Plantar fasciitis is often treated with custom-made orthotics, splints that keep the tissue stretched overnight and sometimes a podiatrist will offer a cortisone injection to the inflamed tissue. Occasionally, surgery may be considered for more extreme cases, though physical therapy is frequently employed and a physical therapist will often work in tandem with your podiatrist or physician in order to provide maximum benefit.

HOW CAN A PHYSICAL THERAPIST HELP?
A physical therapist will use several techniques to reduce inflammation and promote tissue healing, including manual techniques to restore normal ankle and foot mobility. Sometimes other techniques, such as ultrasound, will help to make the plantar fascia more pliable, and ice/electrical stimulation may help to reduce inflammation and pain in the short term. Taping may help offload the injured tissues while they heal, and your PT can show you specific stretching exercises to perform at home. There is a growing body of evidence supporting physical therapy intervention in the treatment of plantar fasciitis, particularly indicating that manual therapy tends to result in the best outcomes.

DIRECT ACCESS
Direct Access means that you can see your physical therapist for 30 days without a physician referral. See your doctor immediately if you experience severe pain, swelling, an inability to bear weight or numbness of the foot and ankle. Contact your local physical therapist today to discover more ways that they can improve your quality of life!