If you dread getting out of bed in the morning because of the pain in your feet, or you find it difficult to bend your feet because your arches hurt, and you also cannot touch your toes because of the tightness in your Achilles tendon and calves, then it is likely that you are suffering from and looking to cure plantar fasciitis . If this is you, then you are most definitely not alone because well over 2 million Americans are now believed to suffer from this debilitating foot pain. So what exactly is plantar fasciitis? Strictly speaking it is foot pain caused by the swelling in the wide plantar fascia ligament which runs underneath the arch of the foot, joining the heel bone to the toes. This ligament stretches and relaxes back with every step. When young and supple, the plantar fascia copes well with excessive stress. But over time, the accumulation of excessive stress damages it, causing minute rips to form. The sites of these small tears become inflamed as they continue to be stressed, ultimately leading to severe foot pain at the site of the rips. Who gets plantar fasciitis? The short answer is, anyone can. However, because the damage to the plantar fascia happens over time, middle aged people and people who place a lot of stress on their feet, by continuous standing, running, jogging, walking or jumping, by wearing inappropriate shoes for long periods and people who carry excessive weight (including pregnancy), are most likely to suffer this condition. These people include athletes, joggers, teachers and anyone who delivers door to door. However, simply because they fall into a number of risk categories, the most susceptible people are middle aged women. What causes it? There are several contributory factors which can work individually or collectively to cause foot pain. As you move your feet roll inwards slightly. This is pronation and it is a natural part of the mechanics of the foot. However, some people over pronate, which means their plantar fascia is abnormally stretched during motion. This excessive stress causes the damage which ultimately leads to plantar fasciitis. Another factor which leads to this condition is the actual structure of the foot arch. Overly high arches, or fallen arches lead to abnormal strain on the plantar fascia as it runs underneath the foot arch, causing it to tear over time. Similarly wearing shoes which do not give enough support to the foot arch can lead to plantar fasciitis. This is especially true of old shoes where the insoles have lost their cushioning. In fact, if you have not replaced your everyday shoes in the last couple of years, you need to check them to see if they still provide enough arch support, or you could be increasing your risk of foot pain. In addition to poor arch support, the amount of weight carried by the foot arch can cause plantar fasciitis. The more weight a person carries, the more stress the foot arch is under and the more likely that problems will arise. The heel is also unduly stressed by excessive weight. This is why pregnant women can often experience significant foot pain which diminishes or disappears completely on giving birth. Treatments for plantar fasciitis are varied but a multi pronged approach is recommended for effective treatment.
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