Plantar Fasciitis is also know as a “jogger’s heel” and it is a disorder that results in pain in the heel and bottom of the foot. This issue actually means that you have inflamed the tough, fibrous of tissue (fascia) connecting your heel bone to the base of your toes. Most often, it comes as a consequence of some load-bearing physical activities, or long periods of standing or running.
Causes
The people that are suffering from Jogger’s heel are claiming that the pain is intolerable and that you have a feeling like someone is hammering nails in your heel.
Most often, people with professions that require long periods of standing are at higher risk of developing Plantar Fasciitis. The causes which can lead to this condition are numerous, including bone spurs, flat feet, high-arched feet, and hard running.
Furthermore, people who are overweight are at higher risk of developing Plantar Fasciitis because the excess weight puts additional pressure on the feet. In addition, this condition can also be a result of the type of shoes people wear, such as older or poorly made ones. Plantar Fasciitis can also result from the use of shoes with inadequate heel cushioning.
Symptoms
Plantar Fasciitis is in general accompanied by burning, stinging, stabbing or throbbing pain. Usually, the pain is located in the middle of the foot, or it can radiate towards the toes or heel.
Most often, the pain is extremely severe early in the morning morning, when people get out of bed. There are cases in which the pain remains persistent during the whole day, while in others, it gradually reduces. This disorder is persistent, and these pains usually last for a longer period, for months or even years.
Treatments
Plantar Fasciitis should be treated on time because otherwise it can be very painful and can lead to more serious consequences. Fortunately, there are various effective treatments which can help you cure it. Some of the most effective methods to treat the conditions are the R.I.C.E. treatment, wearing special orthotic and orthopedic shoes and splints, diet changes, stretching and strengthening of the fascia.
The most effective method is the R.I.C.E. treatment, or Rest Icepack application Compression and Elevation. Research has found that it has shown the best results in almost 25% of patients with Plantar Fasciitis. Moreover, diet alterations have also shown important effects. You need to incorporate more zinc and magnesium in your diet, as they have the ability to regenerate damaged tissue.
Traditional remedies
Natural and traditional remedies have also given effective results I the treatment of this issue. Some of the most prominent are the following:
- Salt and honey compresses. Mix equal amounts of salt and honey and apply this mixture on the affected place. Then, put gauze on the place and stick it with a plaster. Next, place a nylon bag and bandage the feet, put your socks on and leave thus overnight.
- Potato envelops. These will ease the intolerable pain. Wash the potatoes, shred them unpeeled and when ready, place them on the gauze and apply it on the affected area. Bandage your feet with a nylon bag and put socks over it. You need to change the wrapping daily, and repeat the procedure for 7-8 days.
- Simply hit the heel from the floor gently few times a day, in order to bolster the circulation of the calcium, to improve metabolism and prevent the storage of salt.