Plantar fasciitis is a commonly treated complaint that foot doctors address. This chronic pain can feel debilitating and affect your quality of life. If you think you have this issue, it’s good to know what to wear and do to treat it properly. Here is a brief guide to this condition and why it occurs. 

What Is Plantar Fasciitis? 

The plantar fascia is a ligament that connects the heel to the arch of the foot, providing support and mobility to the feet and legs. Plantar fasciitis involves intense pain in the heels caused by stretching and inflammation in this area. People who run, dance, or stand a lot are more likely to have this condition, as are individuals who are overweight or work on their feet. People ages 40 to 60 are the most likely to experience this chronic pain, and they’ll feel it the most after waking up or moving immediately following periods of inactivity.

How Do You Treat It?

Foot doctors will usually prescribe over-the-counter medications to manage the pain and reduce swelling. Patients can benefit from seeing physical therapists to learn how to stretch and better support their feet. Your foot doctor may also suggest wearing orthotics to protect the arch of the feet and using athletic tape to strategically support the plantar fascia during physical activity. Individuals with severe plantar fasciitis may need steroid injections, shockwave therapy, or minimally invasive scar tissue removal procedures to improve their mobility and reduce pain.

If you think you may have plantar fasciitis, contact the talented foot doctor at Deer Creek Foot Care in O’Fallon, MO. For more than 13 years this practice has provided podiatry care for people with diabetes foot troubles, calluses, sprains, and fractures. To learn about their custom orthotics, outpatient surgery, and sports injury therapies, call (636) 240-1127. Visit the website for more information about their services.