• Written by William F. Neckman, LMT, NMT

Plantar fasciitis is a pain in the heel. In fact, it is the most common type of heel pain, and it occurs when the flat tissue band that supports your arch and connects the heel to the toes, known as the plantar fascia, is strained. This can cause quite a few painful issues, and most suffering from it tend to want help dealing with the pain, and as quickly as possible. A range of therapy types are available, as you will see, including neuromuscular therapy and the MyoKinesthetic System offered at Rio Vista Wellness Center.

What Are the Causes of Plantar Fasciitis?

This condition occurs when the ligament is strained. Repeated strain on this ligament can ultimately cause small tears in it, and this can lead to a range of symptoms. Those who roll their feet inward when they are walking, those who have flat feet, as well as those who have high arches, are at a higher risk of developing this type of problem. Those who spend a large amount of time standing or running on hard surfaces can suffer, too.

If you have calf muscles that are tight, or Achilles tendons that are tight, it could increase your chance of developing this problem. The same is true for those who wear shoes that do not fit properly or that have soles that are worn out. Wearing flip-flops, because they tend to have very little in the way of protection for the soles, can cause issues with plantar fasciitis, as well. People who are overweight will be putting more stress on the ligaments when they walk, and this could cause stress on the ligaments, too.

What Are the Symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis?

Most of the time, sufferers will have pain as soon as they get out of bed in the morning and take their first steps. The same is true for those who have sat for a long time and then get up to walk. In some cases, the stiffness and some of the pain will go away after taking several steps, but that is not always the case. Sometimes, the pain will persist. It may even get worse through the day, and it could become more painful after climbing stairs.

What Type of Treatment Help With Plantar Fasciitis?

Different types of treatment are available for plantar fasciitis, and different patients might respond better with different types of treatment. One of the simplest ways to start the treatment process is to give the feet more of a rest whenever you can. Do not walk or run on hard surfaces. Some will also put ice on the heel as a means to reduce swelling, or they might take an over the counter pain reliever. Stretching and getting new shoes could help, as well. In some cases, shots or even surgery might be suggested. However, it does not always need to get to that point.

You could consider two other treatment options as a potential way to treat your plantar fasciitis. Neuromuscular therapy and MyoKinesthetic treatments could help you with posture distortion and imbalance, biomechanical dysfunction, and movement and function issues. You can speak with a therapist that can provide these treatments and find the one that will work well for you.

As you can see, you can find some good treatment options that do not have to resort to surgery or pain medication. The sooner you have proper treatment the sooner you will have the relief you need.