Experiencing Heel or Arch Pain? It May Be Plantar Fasciitis.

Do you walk, run, hike, jump – or simply stand a lot through your day, especially on concrete, pavement, and other hard surfaces? Do you have pain in your heel, and possibly reaching forward into your arch? Is it most noticeable when you start your day, or when you rise after you’ve been sitting for a while? The most common cause is plantar fasciitis, a common repetitive stress injury.

Symptoms start slowly, with mild aches or twinges. But they can develop over time and become more severe, stabbing pains making exercise or even walking painful. If you over-pronate – that is, if your ankle turns inward and downward as you walk – that can affect it, too. It is also known to become more common with age, usually affecting those between 40 and 60.

In fact, about 80% of all heel pain is caused by plantar fasciitis. Sometimes more severe causes are involved, but odds are good that your painful foot and arch will respond to some simple treatments.

Seeking Immediate Relief

You can take steps to relive your pain, while gauging your improvement as you decide when to schedule a doctor visit.

1. Reduce as many of the factors listed as risks above. Start activity slowly after long periods of sitting. Try to give your heel and foot more rest. Walk or run on softer surfaces as much as you can.
2. Make sure your shoes fit correctly! When we pick out our own shoes, we usually put more care into the look and the general fit than we do into specifics like heel and arch fit. Walk a little in the shoes you are trying on and look for cushioned soles (or add well-fitting insoles).
3. Many people report that ice and over-the-counter pain relief products help them.
4. Explore simple stretching exercises that help many people reduce the pain.

Trust Our Experienced Podiatrists

If you’re not seeing significant improvement, call on the Podiatry division at Minor & James Surgical Specialists. Doctors Anthony Lo, DPM, Eric Powell, DPM, and Rodney Yen, DPM can help to reduce your pain and improve your overall quality of life, making walking and running a pleasure again.

Our doctors have the experience you need to treat your plantar fasciitis. Each treatment is tailor-fit to your personal needs so that you can get your life back on track. No referral is needed and you might want to get in before the end of the year if you have met your deductible.

With the proper treatment provided by Minor & James, you can get back into the race, back up the mountain, or just back to pain-free work and home life.