Plantar fasciitis occurs when a thick band of tissue called the plantar fascia, which maintains the longitudinal arch of the foot, develops tears, resulting in pain and inflammation. People who are athletic, pregnant or overweight, or who wear low-quality shoes, are at higher risk for suffering from plantar fasciitis. Ignoring the condition can cause plantar fasciitis to become a chronic problem, but it can be treated successfully by tailoring a treatment plan that best suits your preferences.
Medications
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen will not treat the underlying problem, but they do help relieve pain. Corticosteroids may be applied to the skin or injected to help accelerate treatment. However, injections of corticosteroids can be dangerous because they have the potential to weaken the plantar fascia and possibly cause it to rupture.
Massage Therapy
A massage therapist may be able to stretch the muscle, release fascial tension, and break up adhesions and scar tissue. Some techniques can be quite painful, but a qualified massage therapist will be able to work within your pain threshold in order to achieve the greatest benefit.
Ice
Apply ice to painful areas a few times per day for 15 to 20 minutes at a time. Massaging an ice pack over your foot can also be helpful. Freeze water in a small paper cup, then peel away the rim to expose the ice and roll the top portion over your foot for about five minutes in a circular motion. As the ice melts, keep peeling away the cup. Another option is to freeze a can of soda, and roll the foot arch over the can. You can substitute a tennis ball for the frozen can.
Lifestyle Changes
Certain lifestyle changes to treat plantar fasciitis might help prevent it from reoccurring. If you walk or run often, decrease the amount of miles you cover until the pain is not as severe. Alternatively, take up swimming, bicycling or another low-impact form of exercise until the pain subsides or goes away.
Shock Wave Therapy
Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) is a procedure that directs sound waves at the area of heel pain in order to stimulate the healing process. Most of the time, this type of therapy is used only for chronic plantar fasciitis that has not responded well to less extreme treatment options. ESWT can be very painful, and it may result in bruising, swelling and numbness.
Surgery
If your symptoms do not respond to conservative treatment, surgical release of the plantar fascia may be considered. But surgery should be used as a last resort. The surgical procedure involves detaching the plantar fascia from the heel bone, which could weaken the arch in your foot.
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