What Helps Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fascitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain, according to the Mayo Clinic. The sharp pain and stiffness due to plantar fascitis can interfere with your day to day activities, but fortunately, there are some things you can do to help the condition.

Causes

• Plantar fasciitis occurs when stress and tension is placed upon your plantar fascia, a band of tissue that spans the length of the bottom of your foot. This tension leads to the small tears in the tissue as well as inflammation that are identified as plantar fasciitis.

Types of Medication

• Over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications like naproxen and ibuprofen help alleviate the inflammation and pain caused by plantar fasciitis. Corticosteroids delivered by injection or iontophoresis, a process that uses electric current to deliver medication through the skin, are also effective at limiting the inflammation caused by plantar fasciitis.

Time Frame

• It is also possible to treat your plantar fasciitis at night while you sleep through wearing a brace that lengthens your leg and allows your plantar fascia to stretch.

Features

• Physical therapy and prescription arch supports also help to regain mobility and ease the pain of plantar fascitis. If the condition is very severe, surgery to detach the plantar fascia from the heel bone also help to alleviate pain.

Prevention

• Managing your weight and wearing supportive shoes throughout the day and when you exercise help prevent worsening of your condition or a recurrence of symptoms once your treatment plan makes progress, according to the Mayo Clinic.