Understanding And Dealing With Plantar Fasciitis

Since you walk around on your feet for much of your life, you'll need to make sure that your feet are as healthy as possible. There are certain ailments, such as plantar fasciitis, that can create pain and discomfort in your feet that can be debilitating. In order to retain your proper levels of comfort and well-being, you'll need to learn about this condition, its symptoms and how to treat it. To that end, consider the information in this guide, so that you are able to keep your feet fit and healthy while doing away with this problematic condition. 

What exactly is plantar fasciitis?

Your foot is a complex series of 26 bones, accounting for 25 percent of the bones in your entire body. Your feet also have 100 tendons, muscles and ligaments and 33 joints. One of the most important parts of the foot is the plantar fascia, a ligament that is the connecting portion between your toes and heel. Wear and tear on this part of your foot, due to it becoming swollen or strained, is known as plantar fasciitis. This can be common to both middle-aged people and athletes and should be dealt with as quickly as possible. 

How does plantar fasciitis develop?

The biggest way that plantar fasciitis develops is repetitive motion. Due to the way that the lengthy ligament is set up, this wear and tear will happen when you are doing movements that cause your plantar fasciitis ligament to create a pulling motion. This can also happen if you happen to strike your heel abruptly when walking or running. Some of the biggest ways in which plantar fasciitis develops are shoes that don't fit, feet that have a low or high arch, carrying around too much body weight and standing on your feet for hours at a time. 

What are some ways to tend to plantar fasciitis?

Prevention and pampering your feet will go a long way toward helping you treat or avoid plantar fasciitis. Consider some of these tips, so that you are able to avoid this issue:

• Use a foam roller prior to workouts, so that you are able to loosen up all of the muscles
• Stretch your plantar fascia through wall balanced toe lifts--three sets of 10
• Freeze a golf ball and use it to thoroughly massage the ligament
• Purchase and use an insole in your shoes regularly

Follow these tips so that you can do way with the issue of plantar fasciitis and retain comfort in your feet. For more advice, speak with experts like the Camden County Foot & Ankle Center.