One of the most common complaints that people see a foot doctor about is heel pain. And unfortunately, when your feet hurt, there are not many ways to rest them because we need to get around. Podiatrists teach us that the two major causes of heel pain are plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendinitis. The simplest way to figure out which one is causing your pain is by location. Generally, if the pain is under your heel bone, then it is likely to be plantar fasciitis. But if the pain is found at the back of your heel, inside the Achilles tendon (the long cord that extends from your calf to your heel bone) or toward its base, then you probably have Achilles tendinitis.
The pain from plantar fasciitis is caused by inflammation of a thick band of tissue that begins at your heel and extends to your toe, called the plantar fascia. Repetitive stresses and strains cause microscopic rips in the plantar fascia, which become larger with continued weight bearing. Due to the location of the tears, simple everyday activity such as standing or walking keeps you from resting the tissue, which is needed to completely heal.
The most common symptom of plantar fasciitis is a sharp, stabbing pain directly under your heel , especially when taking your first few steps in the morning or after sitting for a long time. Pain usually subsides with walking or activity (because you’ve stretched out the plantar fascia) but comes back worse after resting. Heel pain usually declines during sleep and will rarely cause you to wake up.
A common cause of plantar fasciitis is physical activity (or training) that is new, or activity that has advanced too quickly. Another cause is standing for long periods of time on hard surfaces. A final cause of plantar fasciitis can be faulty foot mechanics such as side-bending your ankle, flat feet, tight calf muscles, and increased body weight. Related to the mechanics is wearing improper footwear which produces mechanical strain on your foot.
Plantar fasciitis is usually seen in distance runners. It accounts for about 10% of all running injuries, although it is just as common in the general population. Certain running conditions (such as running hills and over awkward terrain) also have an effect.
Symptoms can persist for months to years, but most people can get rid of the painful “first step” in the morning -- before it even occurs -- by simply using a night brace. The Stretch-Away Plantar Fasciitis Night Brace gently pre-stretches the plantar fascia while you sleep. When you wake up and take your first step in the morning, your sole’s tissues are already stretched out, avoiding the foot and heel pain you would otherwise experience.
www.StretchAway-PlantarFasciitis.com
