Some people dread getting up in the morning as they are afraid to put their feet onto the floor. Every time they do this, they may experience a sharp pain that hangs around for quite a while before it starts to disappear. This condition could be plantar fasciitis, and if you suffer from it, then you will want to take action as soon as possible. What is this, and what can you do?
What Is Plantar Fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis affects the tissues between the toes and the heel of the foot. It can affect people who are overweight, who may have a job that requires them to stand in one place for long periods of time or who have flat feet. However, it can also affect those who over-exercise and especially those who are training to run a marathon.
Risk Factors
Due to overuse, strain or additional pressure, the tissues become inflamed to generate pain. However, the pain can be worse after periods of inaction, which explains why it can be so bad in the morning. In this case, the ligaments tighten and typically take some time to stretch out once again.
What Could Be Wrong?
If you think that you have this condition, it is important to confirm your fears. After all, the heel and base of the foot are very vulnerable parts of the body and can be susceptible to a number of different injuries as well. For example, you may have a form of arthritis or tendinitis, and it's crucial to find out exactly what is wrong before applying the right course of action. Once you have determined what problem you have to deal with, you may need to perform a series of exercises to rehabilitate the ligaments. You may even have to wear a pair of custom-made orthotics for a while to give support to your feet as they recover. In some advanced cases, you may be asked to undergo a special type of therapy, as sound waves are passed through to the affected area to increase blood flow and trigger the healing process.
Getting It Right
Eliminate guesswork by talking to the experts as soon as possible. Schedule a visit to your local podiatrist so that they can ask you some questions, have a look at your feet and diagnose the problem correctly. Once they have done so, they'll be able to guide you towards relief so that you can get out of the bed each morning without fear and trepidation.