Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar Fasciitis Injuries

An injury to the plantar fascia of the foot is commonly referred to as Plantar Fasciitis. The plantar fascia is a thick band of connective tissue that links your heel bone to each of your toes. In essence, it is a continuation of your calf muscles that transition into your achilles tendon and follow underneath your heel bone to the bottom of your foot. This condition can affect all people, athletes and non-athletes. The most common signs are pain in the heel or arch of your foot, especially with the first steps you take in the morning.

Causes of Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis may result from a combination of several different factors:
• Ankle stiffness
• Calf tightness / weakness
• Abnormal foot structure / mechanics
• Improper or unsupportive footwear
• Runners with core / hip weakness
• A sudden change in exercise routine

Signs & Symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis

Tenderness / Tightness in the heel or arch of the foot
Pain with the first steps you take in the morning
Sore, achy feeling at the end of the day

How Can I Prevent Plantar Fasciitis?

You can help prevent plantar fasciitis by maintaining adequate lower extremity mobility and muscular strength, and by paying attention to your exercise routine. Being aware of changes in an exercise surface, the volume of exercises performed, or your footwear are the best methods for preventing this type of injury.

If you're currently suffering from heel or arch pain, some things that may help are rolling your foot on a tennis ball, stretching your foot and calf on a step, and strengthening your hips and core.

 

Click HERE for a video on how to do a calf stretch.

For more on Plantar Fasciitis click HERE.

 

reference: moveforwardpt.com