Hi. My name is Sandra Newell. I’m a thirty-five-year-old professional. I’m telling you that I’m a professional because that will explain why I spent a good portion of my waking hours in shoes with high heels. I never wore extremely high heels, but did frequently wear those that were three inches high. That was until I developed horrible heel pain. My doctor heard me out and then sent me to a podiatrist. As it happened, I had a number of things going against me. I was wearing shoes that were too tight, too high, and didn't have any arch support. Moreover, I shouldn't leave out the fact that I wore pointy toed shoes that left me with a few ingrown toenails every year. I’m going to share what my podiatrist has done for me, and how he helped educate me in the art of wearing comfy, yet stylish shoes.
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If your doctor has recently diagnosed you with plantar fasciitis, one of the most common causes of heel pain, you are likely considering all the treatment options. Plantar fasciitis occurs when the plantar fascia, which is a band of tissue that is thick and fibrous and runs from your heel to your toes, becomes irritated and inflamed. This pain and inflammation are caused by several things, from natural aging to having high arches or simply being on your feet too long. Here are a few common plantar fasciitis treatment options to explore.
At-Home Treatments
Minor cases of plantar fasciitis will sometimes resolve themselves and all you will need to do is treat the symptoms to find relief. Avoid staying on your feet for long periods of time and when you begin to feel pain, take it easy and put your feet up. Ice the bottom of your feet after spending long periods of time standing or walking. Ask your doctor to recommend an over-the-counter pain medication and take it according to the package directions to find some relief, as well.
Physical Therapy
Your doctor might recommend physical therapy, which will help stretch out the plantar fascia and Achilles' heel. The stretches and exercises are intended to strengthen your muscles and tendons. During your sessions, your physical therapist will help you learn some stretches that you can do both during your appointment and while you are home.
For example, your physical therapist might teach you a simple technique that involves picking up a hand towel with your toes or stretching out your toes with your hands.
Splints and Orthotics
Another option your doctor might explore is night splints. These splints are designed to help keep your feet and ankles secure while stretching the muscles and tendons throughout the night. Doctor-prescribed orthotics can provide feet support while absorbing the shocks and bumps that naturally occur while you are walking.
Surgical and Nonsurgical Treatments
If physical therapy and home treatments aren't providing relief, your doctor might consider some other surgical and nonsurgical therapies. For example, steroid injections are sometimes used if the patient is suffering from extreme pain. If the plantar fascia becomes detached from the heel bone, which is rare, or the pain is not being treated by any other techniques, surgery might be the only option.
From rest and relaxation to physical therapy, orthotics, splints, and other nonsurgical options, there are several treatments available to treat plantar fasciitis.
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