What is Plantar Fasciitis?
What is plantar fasciitis? This condition is one of the most common causes of pain in your heel. It involves inflammation of the tissue that is located across the bottom of your foot. Since this tissue connects your toes and heel, this problem may lead to a great deal of discomfort when you walk. If not addressed, plantar fasciitis may cause chronic knee, hip, and back problems.
When you have this condition, you will likely experience a stabbing pain as you take your first steps of the day. As you begin to move around, the ache may subside. However, it may come back after standing for long periods of time. Commonly, runners develop this problem. It is also seen in overweight individuals and people who wear shoes that do not have proper support. If you fall into these categories, you may wish to learn some interesting facts about plantar fasciitis.
Interesting Facts about Plantar Fasciitis
Learning about plantar fasciitis may help you to avoid or to treat the pain that it brings. Since it is very common, it is useful to understand a few plantar fasciitis facts.
1) How Common is Plantar Fasciitis?
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics, approximately 10 percent of the population suffers with this affliction. In fact, over 1 million patients visit doctors for help with this condition every year.
2) More Women Experience this Condition Than Men
One of the least recognized plantar fasciitis facts is that women are more likely to develop this condition than men. Indeed, women walk approximately three miles more than men each day. Also, females are known to wear footwear that does not offer support and that misaligns feet, including high heels. As a result, this group is more susceptible to aching heels.
3) Age and Weight Affect Plantar Fasciitis
When learning about plantar fasciitis, you may be surprised that age and weight play a factor. If you are between 40 and 60 years old, you are in the segment that is most likely to suffer with this condition. This is due to the fact that a foot's tissue loses elasticity with age. Also, your weight may be linked to the affliction as well. In fact, obesity plays a role in nearly 70 percent of cases. Gaining weight quickly places a great deal of pressure on the feet. As a result, pregnancy may lead to the condition.
4) Feet Contain One-Quarter of Your Body's Bones
Indeed, there are 52 bones in your feet. Can you believe this is one-quarter of your body's bones? When they are not properly aligned, your feed may suffer from a number of negative conditions, including plantar fasciitis.
5) Heel Spurs are Related to Plantar Fasciitis
Through learning about plantar fasciitis, you may uncover the root of your heel spurs. In fact, these common occurrences are often caused by plantar fasciitis. When trauma happens to the plantar fascia, you may develop a heel spur. This can cause great discomfort when you walk. When you treat plantar fasciitis symptoms, you lower the likelihood of developing spurs.
6) Celebrities and Professional Athletes Suffer with this Condition
Some interesting facts about plantar fasciitis link you to well-known celebrities and athletes. It is not unusual for professional sports players to experience foot problems like plantar fasciitis. For example, Peyton Manning and Shaquille O’Neal have suffered with the affliction. In Hollywood, Angelina Jolie and Paris Hilton are two stars who have dealt with this condition. In this manner, your feet may connect you to the feet of the rich and famous.
7) Plantar Fasciitis Can Heal Without Medical Treatment
An overwhelming amount of cases go away without professional medical attention. If you follow a few practices like stretching and icing, you may be able to eliminate your pain within a few months. Therefore, it is essential to incorporate stretching techniques into your regular exercise program. Also, improvement may be experienced when you wear supportive footwear. Shoes should provide absorption from impact and should restrict your heel's movement.
8) Flat Feet are Not Your Friend
When you have flat feet, your arches are extra low. This means that your feet have difficulty absorbing the impact of walking and other activities. In the end, this can lead to extra strain on your plantar fascia. In the same way, high arches may lead to the same problems.
9) Recurrence is Common
Unfortunately, this condition is likely to reoccur. After you have been affected by plantar fasciitis, your heel weakens and becomes more vulnerable to issues. However, changing how you walk and caring for your feet may help you avoid future problems.
Pain Solutions for Plantar Fasciitis
There are a number of products that can help a person prevent and deal with plantar fasciitis. For example, insoles promote correct alignment and help to distribute your weight evenly so that you have better balance and stability. They conveniently fit into your normal shoes, which means that special footwear is not necessary.
A heel cup is useful as well. A heel cup is recommended during high stress activities like soccer, tennis, and basketball. A heel cup fits along the back of your foot and provides ultimate shock absorption.
A stretching device may hold your feet in the optimal position for stretching. When you are able to increase the stretch of your feet and leg muscles, you are less likely to develop pain from this type of condition. In the end, your feet and legs become stronger and more flexible.
What is plantar fasciitis? As mentioned, this can be an extremely uncomfortable condition for your feet. The above plantar fasciitis facts should help you to understand the causes of this problem. Also, they should give you an idea of effective solutions. At Medi-Dyne, we have a number of items that provide immediate pain solutions and that promote long-term healing. For more information, contact us today.
OTHER RELATED PRODUCTS FOR PLANTAR FASCIITIS RELIEF
OTHER RELATED TOPICS:
HOW ARE PLANTAR FASCIITIS INSOLES DIFFERENT FROM REGULAR INSOLES?
5 THINGS A PLANTAR FASCIITIS INSOLE MUST HAVE TO BE EFFECTIVE
5 BEST HEEL CUPS FOR PLANTAR FASCIITIS
PLANTAR FASCIITIS, A REASON TO WORRY?
5 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD STRETCH IN THE MORNING
PLEASE NOTE: The information on this website and article is for information only and should not be used as a substitute for consulting your doctor. Consult your doctor for proper diagnosis and rehabilitation
