Are you in need of plantar fasciitis treatment? Do you have a stubborn and nagging pain at the bottom of your heel, which is at its worst in the mornings? Is the thick tissue at the bottom of your feet slightly swollen and irritable?

If you answer yes to any of the questions above then the likelihood is that you have damaged your plantar fascia and are in need of plantar fasciitis treatment. Believe me; you have my sympathy if you do because as a former sufferer myself, I know only too well how painful and annoying it can be without the right plantar fasciitis treatment.

I take it that you’re reading this in order to research what type of plantar fasciitis treatment is available to you. Don’t worry; I’m getting to that part. But first we should discover exactly what plantar fasciitis is.

What is Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is probably the most common orthopedic condition known to man and mostly affects (although is not limited to) active middle aged men and women. Statistics suggest that around 10% to 15% of all people could benefit from some sort of plantar fasciitis treatment at least one time in their lives. It can be described in layman’s terms as an aggravating and irritating inflammation of the thick tissue around the heel and sole of the foot.

It is caused when the plantar fascia is abused and overused. The plantar fascia basically forms the arch of the foot and is a band of tissue connecting the heel to the toes. Not only is the plantar fascia a support for the heel, it is also the main shock-absorber for your feet and of your body. This explains why it is advisable to seek plantar fasciitis treatment.

Common recipients requiring plantar fasciitis treatment are as follows:

• Runners and joggers (especially long distance and cross country runners),
• Overweight and obese people often need plantar fasciitis treatment (especially those who have experienced a sudden weight gain),
• Those with fallen or high foot arches,
• Those whose footwear offers poor support of the arch,
• People whose day-to-day work or activity requires them to spend abnormally long periods on their feet.

However, there is not always an obvious cause for people who need plantar fasciitis treatment (especially for older sufferers) so don’t take the above list as comprehensive.

It is generally most painful in the mornings or after extended periods of inactivity and the pain can be described as a throbbing, sharp type of pain which can cause swelling and tenderness of the heel.

Famous American sports stars who have recently required plantar fasciitis treatment are NY Giants Footballers Aaron Ross & Eli Manning, Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah and New York Mets pitcher R.A. Dickey.

What Types of Plantar Fasciitis Treatment Are Available?

There are numerous different forms of plantar fasciitis treatment which are used and recommended by podiatrists and chiropodists. Some work better than others and recovery times range from a month or so for the lucky ones through to nine to twelve months and longer for others (unfortunately, some people never seem to be able to shake the condition off).

Initial Plantar Fasciitis Treatment and Recommendations

In most cases the pain associated with the condition will ease over the course of several months. The plantar fascia is very similar to ligament tissue and does not normally recover from damage quickly. There are however some initial plantar fasciitis treatment’s and recommendations for the condition which may increase the recovery process. They are as follows:

• Rest is often the best form of plantar fasciitis treatment and should be employed as often as possible. Try to stay off of your feet for as long as possible and avoid jogging and running.
• Wear sensible footwear that offers good support to your arch and has cushioned soles. Remember, your plantar fascia is your body’s main shock-absorber and should be treated with care.
• Avoid walking barefoot on hard and uneven surfaces
• Replace your old worn and tatty shoes
• There are different types of pads and insoles available on the market which can ease the pain of the plantar fascia. If you decide to try these out then you must wear them in both shoes at all times – even if the pain is only in one foot.
• There are also custom orthotic shoes available which can help but it’s hard to find any good looking ones.
• There are also other types of shoes such as Fitflops and New Balance which have received favourable feedback from sufferers and they might be worth a try (they look good too!)
• Anti-inflammatory painkillers like Ibuprofen are often recommended as a form of initial plantar fasciitis treatment as they help to reduce the slight swelling often associated with the condition as well as helping with the pain. There are also some anti-inflammatory lotions and creams on the market which can be rubbed on the affected area to help ease the pain.
• Another useful plantar fasciitis treatment is to hold an ice pack on the affected area for about a quarter of an hour

Other Plantar Fasciitis Treatment’s and Exercises

There are other specialist plantar fasciitis treatment’s and exercises available which we will explore in the next article called Plantar Fasciitis Exercises.

Recommended Plantar Fasciitis Treatment Resource

In my time as a sufferer, I tried most of the initial plantar fasciitis treatment’s and recommendations listed above, and although they helped to ease the nagging, aggravating pain, the problem was that it kept on coming back when I stopped.

After about 12 months of suffering, I found this Plantar Fasciitis Treatment website and my life changed for the better. The information available there helped me to fully recover from the condition within three weeks. Take a look today to discover what I think is the most effective plantar fasciitis treatment available today.

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