Are you experiencing heel pain when you walk? If so, you could suffer from plantar fasciitis. Unfortunately, it is one of the most common types of foot complaints. What begins as a nuisance in the morning can progress to intense pain with every footstep. At Comprehensive Spine and Sports Center, we frequently treat people with foot pain. So, if you are looking for a physical therapist in Rosedale MD, come visit our office in Essex.
Causes and Signs of Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis often starts at the heel before spreading down to the arch of your foot. There are numerous causes, ranging from tight and overworked muscles leg muscles, to imbalances in the way you walk. Other signs of this condition include:
- Foot pain after sitting
- An ache near the arch
- Discomfort that eases during activity
Each one of the thousands of steps you take daily transfers three times our body weight into the ground. The plantar fascia does a lot of work for your foot during each step. It’s a thick band of tissue that runs from the heel bone to the toes and supports your foot arch. If muscle tightness or imbalance is present, the accumulated pressure from all those steps damages or tears the tissue of the plantar fascia, which then becomes inflamed.
Typically, people try home remedies to ease this inflammation. Some of these give relief, but seldom address the reason the fascia has become aggravated. As the condition lingers, this underlying cause is still present and can force sufferers to avoid walking to alleviate the pain.
Therapy for Plantar Fasciitis
There are two keys principles for the successful treatment of plantar fasciitis:
- Treating the soreness and inflammation
- Addressing the underlying cause
- Daily home exercise and icing
- Orthotic foot supports
We start by assessing and identifying any contributing muscle tightness or imbalances. We then prescribe treatments that address both the pain and underlying causes. Targeted exercises through a physical therapy plan and chiropractic adjustment ease pressure on the plantar fascia, allowing it to relax. Additionally, we use aquatic therapy, exercising tight muscles in a warm, therapeutic environment that promotes healing.
Looking for a Physical Therapist in Rosedale MD?
Painful plantar fasciitis is a treatable condition with the correct approach. Dr. Cohen and his staff have helped many people with foot pain and look forward to meeting you. We address both the cause and symptoms, enabling our patients to return to pain-free activity. To find out more, contact us today.
