Do you have Plantar Fasciitis?

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Do you have Plantar Fasciitis?
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What is Plantar Fasciitis?

• Simply put, Plantar Fasciitis is a sore foot.
  The Plantar Fascia is a connective band of tissue
  which covers the bottom of your foot along the
  sole and goes right down to the ball of the foot
  and heel. Its primary job is to act as a shock
  absorber and plays an important role in normal
  foot biomechanics as well as providing the arch
  of your foot with adequate support.

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What are the common symptoms and what should you
look out for?

• Patients with plantar fasciitis normally present
  with pain and tightness through the sole of the
  foot which can radiate up to the heel. Heel pain
  is normally reported as worst in the morning.
  Other common symptoms include tightness through
  the calf muscles, achilles tendon pain or sharp
  pain through the middle of the foot.

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People who are at risk of developing Plantar
Fasciitis?

• Those who regularly participate in sports and
  exercise. These activities can place stress on
  the heel of your foot and aggravate the fascia.
• People with flat feet or an excessively high arch
  of the foot. People with flat feet have reduced
  shock absorption through the fascia compared to
  with high foot arches.

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• Middle aged or older individuals. As we get
  older, the muscles around the arch of the foot
  get weaker which can put stress on the fascia.
• People who are overweight. Excess weight leads to
  higher mechanical forces through the foot which
  can increase the load through the fascia causing
  excessive discomfort and pain.

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Preventing Plantar Fasciitis

• Wear good quality, supportive shoes. Shoes should
  have good arch support and shock absorption.
  Avoid going barefoot on hard surfaces and wearing
  high heels!
• Ease into any physical activity you are about to
  commence. The fascia on your feet takes time to
  warm up.
• Do plenty of stretching that targets your calves
  and hamstrings.

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• The best way to manage Plantar Fasciitis is to
  get it properly assessed by a Physiotherapist. We
  will provide manual therapy to the painful area
  for quick relief for the foot as well as
  prescribe exercises and personalised information
  on how you can help prevent and treat the core
  problem.