with the hope it will pass on its own without knowing what to do. So lets clear some things up.

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What is it?

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This phenomena is actually an inflammation (= iitis) in the connective tissue (the fascia) of the foot. The planetary fascia is a strong and thick connective tissue, beginning in the calcaneus (the heel bone) and spreads to connect with the base of each of the toes. It is absorbing the movement during walking and allows the bounciness of the foot. From this we understand this tissue deals with a big  load. The main symptoms of the inflammation includes aches in the foot, difficulty walking especially in the first steps after a break. Damage to the tissue and pain occurs in the heel near the connection point to the heel bone, but it can also be felt in the arch of the foot.      

Sometimes in X-ray it is possible to see a spike from the heel bone where the ligament connects (heel spur). This spike is caused by the ligament pulling at the bone in the connective point. It is important to note it has nothing to do with the pain! Some patients have no pain even when the X-ray shows a spike, and vise verse- they suffer from pain but the X-ray shows nothing. 

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​Why does it hurt?

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The pain in the heal caused by irritation and inflammation of the band itself. Due to loads the planetary fascia has microscopic tears and abnormal scaring, this process disrupts the arrangement of the fascia fibers and makes a messy mixture out of them (kind of like sticky spaghetti) confines in itself nerve endings and blood vessels. People sometimes say they feel as if the leg has shortened, they miss length, and it happens due to the fascia clamping.    

 

Who can surf from this?

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People with over weight, people standing a lot on their feet, runners, people who walk on heels, and people with pronation and flat foot.

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What can you do?

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Releasing of trigger points in the stabilizing muscles of the foot and working with the fascia. Using manual techniques  can help to decrease the load and the amount of stretching of the ligament. Also tapping with kinezio tape gives extra support to the arch of the foot and encourage muscle to work to reduce pronation. To support the healing process, I recommend several stretches and exercises for the tissue of the foot and the gastrocnemius muscle.

If you've been diagnosed with plantar fasciitis there is no need to panic. There is a proven effective treatment. I invite you to come and try for yourself.