Many people suffer from foot pain. One of the most common causes of that foot pain is plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis is a condition that causes a stabbing pain in the heel and foot, especially in the morning. The good news is that plantar fasciitis can be alleviated in just a few weeks with proper treatment. Treatment for this condition is not invasive, relying mostly upon stretches and over-the-counter pain relief medications. For most patients stretching in plantar fasciitis with basic treatment, 80 to 90% of them experience recovery with little to no lingering problems.
Plantar fasciitis affects the band of tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot. For most people, the majority of the pain involved with plantar fasciitis occurs early in the morning and decreases as the tissue stretches and warms up with movement. Plantar fasciitis often flares up after sitting down for a long period of time, or after long periods of standing without rest. Most of the pain caused by this condition can be managed with over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen, found in brands such as Advil, or naproxen, sodium found in brands such as Aleve.
The most common treatment for plantar fasciitis is a combination of stretching therapy and over-the-counter pain medication. Tennis ball therapy is one of the more popular exercises, partially for its ease and availability. The patient sits in a chair and places a tennis ball under the center of the foot, applying just enough pressure to feel slight discomfort, but no pain. The patient will then roll the ball back and forth for five to ten minutes with applied pressure remaining firm. This is a stretch that will help limber up that tight tissue along the bottom of the foot that is causing the problem. With proper treatment and care, plantar fasciitis is an easily treatable and curable condition.
