Plantar Fasciitis

Causes of Plantar Fasciitis

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Plantar fasciitis is usually associated with an overuse injury.  Over time, combined with the repetitive nature of running or walking, the irritation can worsen and the intensity of the pain increases.

The pain is typically worse in the morning, with the first steps being very tender until the area warms up.  Pain is worse with high impact weight bearing activities.  The site of tenderness is localised to the inside aspect of the heel and is usually described as a dull ache.

Activities such as running and dancing are commonly associated with the development of plantar fasciitis but symptoms can occur for any number of reasons.

A reduced foot arch is frequently associated with plantar fasciitis. Walking with toes pointing outwards or the presence of calf tightness, can also increase the strain on the plantar fascia.

Treatment

Treatment includes avoidance of the aggravating activity, ice after activity, anti-inflammatory medication and stretching of the plantar fascia and calf muscles. At home, patients often report benefits from freezing a water bottle and rolling their foot over it.

Physiotherapy treatment, includes deep tissue massage and stretching. Ultrasound, commonly proves beneficial. Recent research has shown benefits of foot strengthening exercises such as toe curling and heel raises within the limits of pain.

Addressing the positional fault in the foot is also important and your Physiotherapist may use tape to hold the foot in a more correct position, or prescribe orthotics.  In some scenarios injection of a corticosteroid may be used.  If an injection is used it must occur in conjunction with correction of biomechanics to prevent further injury.

The video below runs through some stretching exercises which can be very beneficial. If you have further questions about plantar fasciitis or other conditions we may be able to help you with at Beechboro Physiotherapy, please give us a call on 9377 2522.

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