First thought of the morning: the bottom of my foot hurts! My heel hurts! Do you limp when you get out of bed? You are not alone. You may be experiencing symptoms of a foot condition called plantar fasciitis. Every year, millions of people seek care for this painful condition, especially when it interferes with work or daily activities. Key symptoms include: pain under the foot, particularly at the heel, pain and stiffness with the first few steps in the morning or after resting (laying or sitting) for long periods of time. “Plantar fascia” is a band of tissue that extends from the heel to the toes. It almost covers the entire bottom (plantar) surface of the feet. It provides arch support and shock absorption. The direct impact from heel strike and the repetitive nature of activities or sports cause microtears resulting in pain and inflammation. “Itis” means inflammation. Therefore, “plantar fasciitis” means inflammation of the plantar fascia, the sheath of tissue under the feet. Causes Some of the most common causes of plantar fasciitis include repetitive use, standing for long periods on hard surfaces, and injury from running and sports. Approximately 10% of active adults experience plantar fasciitis. However, Read more…
Two Natural Ways to Relieve Foot Pain
Approximately 75% of Canadians will experience some form of foot problem during their lifetime. Are you one of the 75% of people suffering? This week’s blog addresses two natural ways to relieve foot pain. Common Causes of Foot Pain Your feet are a complex system of 52 bones, 66 joints, 214 ligaments and 38 tendons and muscles. Even the smallest imbalance in your feet can cause pain. Fortunately, there are solutions but before we get into those let’s chat about some of the most common causes of foot pain. 1) Plantar Fasciitis Plantar Fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain. It occurs when the plantar fascia attaches to the heel bone. The plantar fascia is a thick band of connective tissue that spans the sole of the foot and provides shock absorption while walking. Those with plantar fasciitis will usually exp erience pain in the morning, when they first step out of bed. The pain will usually improve over the day, with only a dull pain persisting. 2) Metatarsalgia Metatarsalgia results in a sharp pain in ball the foot, which is given its shape by the rounded ends of the metatarsal bones. The pain can feel like Read more…