Roughly 2 million people are treated for plantar fasciitis every year, and it is the most common cause of pain in the heel of the foot.  Prevalent among runners and people who spend more than four hours per day on their feet, plantar fasciitis is caused by inflammation of the ligament — the plantar fascia — that connects the toes to the heel bone. 

Symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis pain is most often felt in the arch or heel of the foot. Symptoms can range from minor aches with your first steps in the morning to severe pain that prevents you from performing everyday activities. Many times, signs of plantar fasciitis are mistaken for typical heel pain, and symptoms can worsen when left untreated.

The following are the most frequently experienced symptoms of plantar fasciitis: 

• A sharp, burning or aching pain in the heel or sole of the foot
• More pain in the morning or after long periods of sitting or rest
• Pain after long periods of standing, exercising or rising to the feet from a seated position
• Heel pain that is worse after exercising than it is while performing the exercise
• Redness, warmth or swelling in the sole or heel
• Heel or arch pain in one foot (however, it is possible for a patient to have plantar fasciitis in both feet)
• Difficulty standing or walking on the foot in pain
• Heel pain after rapid weight gain

 

Causes and Risks of Plantar Fasciitis Pain

The foot's plantar fascia supports the arch in the foot, and a stabbing pain is felt when repeated tension and stretching causes the ligament to become irritated and inflamed. The following are a few major causes of plantar fasciitis:

• Plantar fasciitis is common among athletes performing physical activities that put a lot of stress on the plantar fascia, heel and other foot tissues
• Plantar fasciitis is more prevalent among people between the ages of 40 and 60
• Obesity or sudden weight gain, including weight gain due to pregnancy, puts additional stress on the plantar fascia
• Occupations that require more than four continuous hours on the feet per day
• Having a high arch, being flat-footed or walking in an irregular pattern can put more stress on the plantar fascia

Ignoring plantar fasciitis or improperly treating it as everyday heel pain can lead to chronic pain that affects the way you perform daily routines. Adjusting how you perform certain activities to accommodate your plantar fasciitis can result in more severe knee, hip, back or foot problems.

 

Plantar Fasciitis Treatment

Many plantar fasciitis sufferers are able to successfully ease their pain with at-home plantar fasciitis remedies. The following are the best ways to find help for plantar fasciitis pain in the comfort and convenience of your home, hotel room, workplace or just about anywhere: 

• Rest is crucial to heal any injury. Lie or sit down numerous times throughout the day to take pressure off your plantar fascia.
• Ice your arch, heel or other inflamed areas of the foot for 5-10 minutes at the end of the day. Place one Spara ball in the freezer and massage it along the bottom of the foot for 5 to 10 minutes before bed at night.
• Perform simple stretches of the arch for at least 10 to 15 minutes twice a day.
• Use Spara massage therapy balls to massage the entire bottom of the foot for 20 to 30 seconds when getting out of bed in the morning. Continue these exercises consistently for two to six weeks.

Are you one of the many people dealing with plantar fasciitis pain? Order your Spara massage therapy ball today and experience the difference!