Plantar Fasciitis Remedies

Plantar fasciitis is a disease of the foot that affects people who use their feet excessively over a period of time. People like sportsmen who have to run, flat-footed people, people who have walk or lift weights at work, and women who wear excessively high heels are more prone to this condition. Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of a fascia at the soles of the feet. Fascia can be described as the second skin of the body. As one goes deep below the skin layer from the epidermis to the dermis, the next layer that one comes across is the fascia and it covers the entire body. If this layer of protective and shock absorbent tissue is damaged from some kind of injury, just like any other part of the body, it will also get inflamed. Plantar fasciitis is easily treatable if detected early but if the injury is allowed to progress, then the condition becomes a chronic one. In this situation, the only treatment that is possible is to get into surgery or the use of shock therapy.

The inflammation of the plantar fascia is usually caused due to excessive use and stretching of the foot. A simple way to understand the problem is to think of the foot as a bow facing upwards. When there is a pressure placed on the bow, it expands outwards and stretches. This is the exact same process in the foot as well. Over time, the stretching of the fascia is unsustainable and it ruptures. The pain from this form of inflammation is usually greatest during the mornings after the foot has been in a continuous resting position.

Treating plantar fasciitis requires complete rest and staying off one’s feet. In addition to this, the standard slew of medications for pain relief is used – non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen. However, if this is not effective then corticosteroids are administered by injection or a process called iontophoresis. In addition, limiting or completely stopping all exercise that requires the use of the foot and not wearing high heels for women is also suggested. The bandaging of the foot to provide support and cold compresses to the leg are also treatment methods. In the case of chronic fasciitis, one may have to go in for surgery where the fascia will have to be detached from the heel bone. An alternative is electrocorporeal shock wave therapy, which sends high intensity sound waves into the skin to promote healing.