| The plantar fascia is a tough, fibrous band of | | | | This results in inflammation, pain in the heel, and |
| connective tissue that runs from the heel bone to | | | | possible visible bruising at the heel bone attachment. |
| the ball of the foot. It plays an key part in the | | | | The pain is typically felt at the bottom of the heel, |
| normal foot mechanics whilst running, jumping and | | | | normally on the interior (inside) of the heel, however |
| walking. | | | | may also occur in the arch of the foot itself or |
| Plantar fasciitis or inflammation of the plantar fascia | | | | further forward closer to the toes. |
| comes about when the plantar fascia suffers | | | | Often plantar fasciitis results in the development of a |
| microscopic tears at the point where it joins to the | | | | bone spur (calcaneus) at the point of insertion of the |
| heel bone, or along its length. With poor foot | | | | plantar fascia to the heel bone. Although very |
| mechanics, too much use or other risk factors, the | | | | painful, the heel spur is not itself the source of the |
| pressure applied to the plantar fascia during running | | | | pain, instead the pain is a result of the inflammation |
| and walking and the shift of body weight from one | | | | of the plantar fascia. |
| foot to the other can tear the fascia from its | | | | Plantar fasciitis pain is oftentimes triggered by |
| attachment to the heel and result in microscopic | | | | increased barefoot walking or walking without proper |
| tears. | | | | protection for the arch. Old or battered sneakers |
| Plantar fasciitis is a serious condition. At its most | | | | are the worst offenders. Also, during summer, |
| extreme, the most serious of plantar fasciitis can | | | | excessive wearing of flip-flops can result in or worsen |
| result in ruptures in the ligament. | | | | plantar fasciitis. |
| Plantar fasciitis happens when the plantar fascia is | | | | Early diagnosis and a structured treatment plan are |
| strained because of elevated or excessive activity, | | | | important for healing plantar fasciitis. If treatment is |
| poor foot biomechanics or in combined with the | | | | held up or inadequate in the early stages of the |
| natural aging process. The purpose of the plantar | | | | condition, plantar fasciitis can take 6-18 months or |
| fascia is to help absorb shock and support the arch | | | | more to be fully healed. Nonetheless by sticking to |
| of the foot. The plantar fascia is generally | | | | a suitably mapped out treatment plan and blending |
| overextended repeatedly before any pain is | | | | many of the individual treatments available, thankfully |
| obvious. The pain comes from continual microscopic | | | | in the majority of cases, non-surgical treatment cures |
| tears occurring in the plantar fascia, usually at the | | | | the condition. Only in the worst cases is surgery |
| point where it attaches to the heel bone. | | | | required. |