Plantar Fasciitis: Why Your Heel Hurts and What Treatment Actually Helps | Altamonte Springs
- Dr. Hang Campbell
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
What Is Plantar Fasciitis?
Along the bottom of your foot is a strong band of tissue called the plantar fascia, which stretches from your heel to your toes and helps support your arch. When this tissue is stressed, overloaded, or develops tiny tears, it can become inflamed and painful—a condition known as plantar fasciitis.
Plantar fasciitis is one of the leading causes of heel pain in adults and is especially common in people who are on their feet a lot, runners, and those between 40 and 60 years old.
Common Symptoms You Shouldn’t Ignore
Most people with plantar fasciitis describe a sharp, stabbing pain in the bottom of the heel, often near where the fascia attaches to the heel bone. The pain is usually:
Worst with the first few steps in the morning or after sitting for a while.
Triggered when you stand up and start walking after rest.
Better once you “warm up” but can return after long periods of standing, walking, or running.
Some people also notice tightness in the calf or Achilles tendon and aching along the arch of the foot.
Why Did I Get Plantar Fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis usually isn’t from one single incident—it develops gradually when the plantar fascia is asked to do more than it can comfortably handle. Common contributors include:
Spending long hours on hard surfaces for work (teachers, nurses, warehouse workers).
High‑impact activities like running, dancing, or court sports.
Wearing unsupportive shoes or old, worn‑out sneakers with little arch support.
Flat feet, very high arches, or abnormal gait that changes how weight loads your heel.
Extra body weight, which increases stress on the fascia with every step.
Over time, this repeated strain leads to microtears and degeneration at the fascia’s attachment, which is why symptoms often linger if they’re not treated early.
Home Treatments That Really Help
The good news is that many cases of plantar fasciitis improve with consistent, conservative care. Helpful at‑home steps include:
Rest and activity modification: Scale back high‑impact activities like running and replace them with low‑impact options such as cycling or swimming while your heel calms down.
Ice: Apply an ice pack or roll your heel over a frozen water bottle for 10–15 minutes a few times a day to reduce pain and swelling.
Stretching: Regular calf and plantar fascia stretches—especially before getting out of bed and after activity—can ease tension and speed recovery.
Supportive shoes: Wear shoes with good arch support and cushioning, even indoors; avoid flat flip‑flops and unsupportive slippers.
Many patients see meaningful improvement over several weeks to a few months when they stay consistent with these habits.
How a Premier Podiatry Associates FL, In Altamonte Springs Can provide Treatment Plantar Fasciitis
If home care isn’t enough—or your pain is affecting work, exercise, or daily life—it’s time to see a podiatrist. Early professional care can prevent heel pain from becoming a chronic, long‑term problem. A customized treatment plan may include:
Custom or prescription orthotics to redistribute pressure, support your arch, and reduce strain on the plantar fascia.
Targeted physical therapy and supervised stretching and strengthening programs for the plantar fascia, Achilles tendon, and surrounding muscles.
Taping, padding, or night splints to support the foot and keep the fascia gently stretched while you sleep.
Anti‑inflammatory medications or injections when appropriate, to calm inflammation and allow you to participate in therapy.
Most people improve without surgery, and more advanced options such as shockwave therapy or surgery are reserved for stubborn cases that don’t respond to conservative care.
When to Call a Podiatrist
You should make an appointment if:
Heel pain has lasted more than a few weeks despite rest and home care.
Pain is severe enough to change how you walk or makes you avoid activity.
You have diabetes or circulation problems and develop any new foot pain.
A podiatrist can confirm the diagnosis, rule out other causes of heel pain, and build a plan that fits your lifestyle and activity level.
Take the First Step Toward Heel Pain Relief
If you’re waking up every morning dreading those first painful steps, you don’t have to keep pushing through it. With a combination of the right stretches, supportive footwear, custom orthotics, and targeted treatments, most people can relieve plantar fasciitis and get back to walking comfortably again.
Learn the causes, symptoms, and treatments for plantar fasciitis and find relief by scheduling a professional evaluation with Premier Podiatry Associates FL in Altamonte Springs.
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