What is plantar fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is a common foot condition that millions of Americans face every year. This condition is characterized by persistent heel pain.

The plantar fascia is a band of tissue that connects the heel bone to the bones in the toes and is designed to provide natural arch support in the foot. When excessive strain is applied, small tears in the plantar fascia can occur. These tears can result in noticeable heel pain, commonly called ‘plantar fasciitis.’

For more medical information, we recommend additional reading resources available on the Mayo Clinic website. Click here.

What makes symptoms worsen?

Plantar fasciitis symptoms can be aggravated by one or more of the following:

1. High Activity Levels: Extensive amounts of standing or walking can result in the development of plantar fasciitis. High-impact activities, such as running and jumping, may also result in this condition.
2. Ill-Fitting Shoes: Wearing shoes with poor arch support, inadequate cushioning, or improper fit can contribute to the development of plantar fasciitis. This is especially the case when shoes are worn while engaging in high-impact or prolonged activities.
3. Foot Structure and Gait: The risk of developing plantar fasciitis can increase due to your natural foot structure, such as having high or flat arches. Abnormal walking patterns, such as overpronation, may also contribute to the development of plantar fasciitis.
4. Weight: Excess weight can add additional stress on the feet resulting in the development of plantar fasciitis.

How can I relieve my heel pain at home?

In order to alleviate pain associated with plantar fasciitis, there are several over-the-counter and home remedies that are known to provide relief:

• Rest: Avoid high-impact exercises and prolonged standing to reduce the stress placed on the foot.
• Ice: Applying ice to the affected area for 15-20 minutes several times daily helps reduce inflammation and relieve pain.
• Orthotic insoles and proper shoes: Wearing well-fitted footwear with proper arch support and cushioning can reduce stress on the plantar fascia and provide relief. Using shoe inserts or orthotic insoles can help support the arch and align the foot in order to alleviate strain on the plantar fascia.

Try DARCO’s Promotion Plus Insoles ($25) to provide arch support for the plantar fascia and heel cushion to alleviate pain and mitigate further stress on the foot while on foot. Learn more.

• Plantar Fasciitis Sleeves: Compression sleeves are a popular choice for plantar fasciitis relief, as they can be worn around the clock with or without shoes to provide continuous relief.

DARCO’s DCS Plantar Fasciitis Sleeve ($20) provides foot pain relief for those suffering with plantar fasciitis pain. This compression sock can be worn while active or at rest to help remedy plantar fasciitis pain around the clock. Learn more.

• Stretching Exercises and Splints: Regular stretching of the calf muscles, Achilles tendon, and the plantar fascia itself can help alleviate tension and promote healing. Exercises like toe stretches, calf stretches, and plantar fascia stretches are beneficial. Plantar Fasciitis Night Splints are another useful product to continuously stretch the plantar fascia while at rest or sleeping.

Stretch at rest with DARCO’s Body Armor Dorsal Night Splint ($75). This patented plantar fasciitis splint is designed to specifically stretch the plantar fascia to provide sustained stretching while at rest or sleeping. Unlike other braces, this splint is engineering to maximize stretching the of plantar fascia from heel to toe by engaging your foot’s “Windlass Mechanism.” Learn more.

What do I do if my plantar fasciitis pain persists?

Consult a podiatrist. He or she may be able to provide a more accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment plan for your foot pain.