Plantar Fasciitis – Your Path to Recovery
If you haven’t experienced it, you’ve probably heard about it. Plantar heel pain (formerly known as plantar fasciitis) is a common condition which mainly affects keen runners and hikers, but it can occur in anyone who is on their feet a lot. It is a musculoskeletal condition, and it can impact your shock absorption and arch formation making it incredibly difficult to walk or run without pain. In this blog post, Brunswick Heads Physio will be sharing some insight into plantar heel pain and how you can overcome it with the help of our sports physiotherapists.
What is Plantar Heel Pain?
If you are experiencing ongoing heel pain, there’s a strong likelihood that it may be plantar heel pain. Along the soles of your feet lies the plantar fascia, which plays a critical role in shock absorption and arch formation. The plantar fascia has a similar structure to that of a tendon, and it has a thick and fibrous composition.
The plantar fascia is what makes walking and running so efficient, but if you overstress this area, by placing excessive load on it, it may become irritated resulting in you experiencing ongoing heel pain.
The Most Common Causes of Plantar Heel Pain
The plantar fascia is non elastic, which makes rest and recovery following physical activity an essential part of the healing process. In addition to guiding your foot movement during running/walking, the nerves in your plantar fascia are also responsible for sending signals to your brain which enable you to better coordinate movement.
Some of the most common causes of plantar heel pain include:
- Overdoing your walking/running routine
- Wearing poorly fitted shoes
- Being overweight, which places heavy strain on your plantar fascia
- Having flat feet or a high arch
- Complications from diabetes
Diagnosing Plantar Heel Pain
Diagnosis of plantar heel pain is relatively straightforward. As soon as you notice heel or foot paint, schedule an appointment with Brunswick Heads Physio. For a short period of time, try to adjust the activities that may have caused your heel to become sore. Sometimes pain may begin to subside naturally, particularly after a good night’s sleep. However, it is still important to have your condition examined so that an appropriate treatment plan can be put in place.
Physio Treatment of Plantar Heel Pain
Every condition is unique, and results will vary for each individual. Treatment usually involves a combination of strength training, a short period of offloading the heel using tape or orthotics, and activity modifications.
Here at Brunswick Heads Physio, we customise treatment plans for clients with plantar heel pain. Some of the common treatment options we use include:
- Taping
- Deep tissue massage
- Load training
- Stabilisation exercises
- Orthotics/new footwear recommendations
Following commencement of your treatment program, you should start to see measurable results within around 2-3 weeks. Your progress will be closely monitored by your physiotherapist, and he/she may recommend new exercises at various intervals throughout your treatment to support your arch, relieve pain and inflammation, and get you back to normal in the shortest time possible.
Start Your Recovery Journey with Brunswick Heads Physio – Call Today
Heel pain is not pleasant. Get back to doing whatever it is you love sooner and put the pain and discomfort behind you. Brunswick Heads Physio is your local physio in Brunswick Heads and we look forward to seeing you soon.
Call Brunswick Heads Physio now on 02 7955 6686 to schedule an appointment with our experienced sports physiotherapists who will put you on the path to recovery.