Holistic Cures for Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar Fasciitis is a condition that causes inflammation of the thin layer of tissue that supports the arch of the foot, the plantar fascia. This inflammation stretches the tissue and causes microscopic tears, causing the heel to swell and hurt. According to the Mayo Clinic, plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain.

Pain Relief

• Severe cases of plantar fasciitis can be extremely painful. To avoid the side effects of medication, many people search for holistic approaches to alleviate pain. Massaging the bottom of the heel up through the arch towards the ball of the foot may offer pain relief by temporarily loosening the tension. To relieve acute pain, use ice during the massage, which will temporarily reduce swelling and numb the area.

  Some people prefer to use frozen bottles of water to soothe the pain. Place the bottle of frozen water on the floor in front of you while sitting upright in a chair. Place your bare feet on the bottle and move your foot back and forth so that the bottle rolls underneath your foot. The shape of the bottle help supports the arch during the massage. Do this for five to ten minutes at a time.

Natural Treatment

• Physical therapy will help you to strengthen the lower leg muscles by stretching the plantar fasciia and loosening the Achilles tendon. According to the Mayo Clinic, this stretching will help to stabilize your ankle and heel.

  Your health care practitioner may recommend that you purchase night splints to be worn while sleeping. Night splints are fitted to your calf and foot and are designed to lock the plantar fasciia and Achilles tendon into a stretched position overnight so that they will be looser in the morning.

  Orthotics offer arch support and can be purchased over the counter or custom designed with a prescription from your doctor. Orthotics will help to evenly distribute pressure on your feet and decrease imbalance. A study cited by the Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association found that arch support via mechanical taping of the foot or orthotics proved to be more effective in treating plantar fasciitis than anti-inflammatory medications.

  Being overweight, even slightly, will increase the amount of pressure on the surface of the feet. According to a recent article by the New York Times Health Guide, gaining weight can result in foot injuries because of the added stress on the feet. The article claims that the added pressure on the soft tissues and joints increases the likelihood of developing tendinitis and plantar fasciitis.