Plantar Fasciitis Treatment in Millersville, MD

What Causes Plantar Fasciitis?

The plantar fascia supports the arch of your foot and absorbs shock when you walk or run. But tension and stress can create small tears in the tissue. Over time, the constant stretching and tearing will cause inflammation. There is no singular cause of plantar fasciitis, but risk factors for the condition include:

• Age – The condition is most common among adults between the ages of 40 and 60.
• Exercise – Runners are at a higher risk for developing plantar fasciitis because of the stress they put on their heels and feet. Aerobic and ballet dancers are also at an increased risk.
• Excess Standing – Those who work occupations that require long periods of standing or walking may develop plantar fasciitis.
• Foot Mechanics – Individuals with flat feet, high arches, or abnormal gaits can put added stress on the plantar fascia because of unusual weight distribution.
• Obesity – Excess weight will cause stress to your plantar fascia.

Recognizing Plantar Fasciitis Symptoms

The most apparent symptom of plantar fasciitis is heel pain. The condition can manifest itself in the form of sharp, stabbing pain on the underside of your foot or tenderness along your arch. Not all heel pain can be attributed to plantar fasciitis, but seek treatment from Effective Integrative Healthcare if your pain is prevalent:

• With your first steps of the day
• After standing for a long time
• When standing after sitting for extended periods
• Following intense physical activity
• Climbing stairs
• When walking barefoot or in shoes without adequate support

We Offer Comprehensive Plantar Fasciitis Treatments

The medical experts at Effective Integrative Healthcare are adept at using the Graston Technique® to treat all types of soft tissue injuries, including plantar fasciitis. It is an innovative manual therapy that alleviates patients’ pain and improves their mobility. The Graston Technique® involves using specialized stainless-steel instruments to scrape or massage the skin gently. This allows our specialists to identify and treat the scar tissue that is limiting your movement and causing discomfort. In addition to using our tools to identify areas of scar tissue, we can use them to break it apart. This will increase blood flow and activate nerve receptors. Eventually, you will require little to no anti-inflammatory medication and will recover quicker following exercise. We can also treat plantar fasciitis through strengthening exercises, physical therapy, and orthotics.

How to Prevent Plantar Fasciitis

Once your foot feels better following plantar fasciitis treatment, you will want to take steps to avoid a recurrence. There are several lifestyle changes you can make to ensure foot pain is a thing of the past. If you are overweight, shedding excess pounds will alleviate added pressure that could cause plantar fasciitis flare-ups. To lose weight, we recommend focusing on low-impact exercises such as swimming and cycling. You may also consider wearing shoes with ample support during your normal activities. Additionally, it is important to regularly stretch your calves and the bottom of your feet to keep the tissue loose.