SR Therapies

Treatment for Plantar Fasciitis

There is good news for sufferes of plantar fasciitis. Most people respond well to simple treatment options.

These options can be divided into two catogeries: symptomatic treatment and functional treatment.

Symptomatic treatment is directed at decreasing the symptoms of plantar fasciitis-specifically, the pain and inflammation.

It involves modifying activities, icing the bottom of the foot, and if, necessary, taking anti-inflammatiory medication, such as ibuprofen or a cortisone injection.

In minor cases that have been caught early, symptomatic treatment may completely eliminate the pain.

Usually, however, these measures offer only temporary relief because they do not address the underlying cause of plantar fasciitis.

• Functional treatment addresses the function of the foot and the cause of the inflammation and pain of the plantar fasciitis.  

A patient who has plantar fasciitis liked to weak arches, for example,typically benefits from the use of more supportive shoes or insoles that decreases tension of the plantar fascia.

Similarly, gel heel cups commonly help those who have plantar fasciitis linked to atrophied heel fat pads.

Symptomatic treatment combined with functional treatment often yields the quickest and longest-lasting relief. The reason is simple. 

• Combined treatment offers both prevention and management of acute flare-ups.

For example, patients who ice affected feet two or three times a day and wear supportive insoles in comfortable shoes tend to remain pain-free longer and resolve the pain of flare-ups sooner than those who merely treat flare-ups with anti-inflammatory medications.

• Strengthening the muscles of the arch and gently stretching the foot and calf can provide better long-term results as well.  

Reference: Great Feet For Life:Paul Langer, DPM