I recently found myself in a familiar predicament - waking up with a sharp pain in my heel after a half-marathon that I hadn't run in years. The morning after, putting weight on my heels felt like a betrayal, and all I could think was, "Why did I do this to myself?" This was a classic case of plantar fasciitis, a condition that affects millions of people each year.
According to Dr. Lance Silverman, a board-certified orthopedic foot and ankle surgeon, plantar fasciitis occurs when the plantar fascia - a thick band of fibrous tissue that runs from the heel to the toes - becomes inflamed or develops microtears. The pain is usually felt in the bottom of the heel, particularly after periods of rest, and tends to lessen with movement.
I spoke to Dr. Amiethab Aiyer, division chief of foot and ankle surgery at Johns Hopkins, who explained that plantar fasciitis often results from overuse or sudden increases in activity, such as going for a jog without warming up or changing your running routine drastically after years of inactivity. He warned that ignoring the pain could lead to chronic heel pain.
But how can you avoid this common problem? Dr. Silverman suggests several ways: strengthening the muscles in your feet, stretching, gradually increasing your activity levels, and wearing supportive shoes. For instance, doing toe curls or marble pickups can help strengthen your foot muscles, while regularly stretching your calf muscles and Achilles tendon can alleviate inflammation.
Wearing supportive shoes is also crucial. Dr. Silverman advises choosing footwear that matches the environment and activity you'll be engaging in, rather than trying to find a shoe that's just right for everyone.
So, how do you treat plantar fasciitis? Most cases will resolve on their own after a week or so of rest. However, if the pain persists, consulting with a healthcare provider is essential. Treatment options may include physical therapy, corticosteroid injections, shockwave therapy, or plasma injections. In extreme cases, surgery might be necessary.
If you find yourself in my shoes (pun intended), don't panic. After a few weeks of gentle, non-overloading activity, your heel should feel better. It's essential to listen to your body and avoid sudden changes in exercise routine.
In conclusion, plantar fasciitis is a common condition that can be managed with the right approach. By understanding its causes, taking preventive measures, and seeking professional help when necessary, you can alleviate this painful problem and get back to living life without heel pain holding you back.
According to Dr. Lance Silverman, a board-certified orthopedic foot and ankle surgeon, plantar fasciitis occurs when the plantar fascia - a thick band of fibrous tissue that runs from the heel to the toes - becomes inflamed or develops microtears. The pain is usually felt in the bottom of the heel, particularly after periods of rest, and tends to lessen with movement.
I spoke to Dr. Amiethab Aiyer, division chief of foot and ankle surgery at Johns Hopkins, who explained that plantar fasciitis often results from overuse or sudden increases in activity, such as going for a jog without warming up or changing your running routine drastically after years of inactivity. He warned that ignoring the pain could lead to chronic heel pain.
But how can you avoid this common problem? Dr. Silverman suggests several ways: strengthening the muscles in your feet, stretching, gradually increasing your activity levels, and wearing supportive shoes. For instance, doing toe curls or marble pickups can help strengthen your foot muscles, while regularly stretching your calf muscles and Achilles tendon can alleviate inflammation.
Wearing supportive shoes is also crucial. Dr. Silverman advises choosing footwear that matches the environment and activity you'll be engaging in, rather than trying to find a shoe that's just right for everyone.
So, how do you treat plantar fasciitis? Most cases will resolve on their own after a week or so of rest. However, if the pain persists, consulting with a healthcare provider is essential. Treatment options may include physical therapy, corticosteroid injections, shockwave therapy, or plasma injections. In extreme cases, surgery might be necessary.
If you find yourself in my shoes (pun intended), don't panic. After a few weeks of gentle, non-overloading activity, your heel should feel better. It's essential to listen to your body and avoid sudden changes in exercise routine.
In conclusion, plantar fasciitis is a common condition that can be managed with the right approach. By understanding its causes, taking preventive measures, and seeking professional help when necessary, you can alleviate this painful problem and get back to living life without heel pain holding you back.
it's like your poor foot is all "what did I do to deserve this?" 
and yeah the doctor makes some good points about overuse and sudden changes in activity, I remember when I was training for a marathon last year and my feet were killing me after every run... anyway I think wearing supportive shoes is key 
especially if you're gonna be doing high-impact activities like running or hiking. I've also heard that using orthotics can help with plantar fasciitis, but I'm not sure how much it would actually make a difference 
I feel u!!! Plantar fasciitis is like, so common 
! I've had it before after a crazy long hike 
and it's no fun at all 
. And supportive shoes are everything 
. Resting for a week sounds like a dream after all that pain 
. Just listen to ur body and take it easy, girl 
!
, especially after engaging in some crazy activity like running 
. But what really caught my attention was how easily this condition can be prevented by just taking a few simple steps 
, like strengthening our foot muscles and stretching regularly. It's all about being proactive and listening to your body 
.
, just take it easy for a bit and let your body recover 
. Who knew that something as simple as wearing supportive shoes 
!
. i think its bc i didn't warm up enough and my shoes weren't supportive enough 
so yeah... rest is key when u got plantar fasciitis 
. dont overdo it or u might end up like me... oops 
.
. it's like your body is all 'ha! gotcha!' 
.
! get those shoes right, stretch it out, and for goodness sake, don't be afraid to take a break 
.
. Of course, it's not just about the shoes, but having good arch support and cushioning can make all the difference.
. But seriously, it's crazy how much pressure our feet can take before we start feeling the pain. I think it's wild that you can just strengthen your foot muscles through simple exercises like toe curls 
. And yeah, supportive shoes are a must-have 
️. Don't be like me and try to power through the pain... trust me on that 
just in case.
... Like, what's the point of even trying? You're just gonna end up with a bunch of inflamed tissue and a world of hurt. I mean, I get it, they might be trying to relive their glory days or whatever, but newsflash: your body can only take so much 
the doctor told me it was due to overdoing it and not wearing proper shoes for the exercises. Since then, I've made sure to stretch before and after workouts, wear supportive shoes, and listen to my body 
