“I walk like an old lady/man when I get out of bed in the morning.” This is probably the most common story that we hear in our office every day. If this sounds familiar, you are not alone. You are also not beyond help. You are probably suffering from plantar fasciitis, a painful inflammatory condition of the ligament that supports the arch of the foot. The majority of patients with this condition will fortunately get better without the need for a disabling surgical procedure. If you are suffering from this type of pain it is important that this not be ignored. Without some form of treatment the condition will usually worsen. The pain from plantar fasciitis will progress from being present just in the morning, to a more regular and intense pain throughout the day. Most patients will eventually require professional treatment, but for those of you who desperately want to avoid a trip to the doctor there are some at home treatments that can be attempted. These include:
Stretching Exercises – calf and Achilles tendon stretching exercises will help to reduce tightness in the plantar fascia.
If these treatments are not helpful, a visit to the podiatrist should be your next move. The doctors at Atlantic Foot and Ankle Specialists are trained in the latest treatment techniques (such as ESWT) for plantar fasciitis and can speed your recovery and help get you back to pain free activity as soon as possible.