Conditions & Treatments - Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of the plantar fascia, a fibrous sheath that runs across the arch of the bottom of the foot. When the plantar fascia becomes inflamed an individual can experience pain and tenderness at the heel and arch of the foot. The image provided displays the plantar fascia at the arch of the foot. The plantar fascia assists in propulsion with running and walking and can be irritated because of walking on uneven surfaces, poor flexibility, poor joint mobility, performing weight bearing activities which one is not use to, or poor foot mechanics (over pronation) with weight bearing activities. Pain is usually worse in the mornings with initial weight bearing and can improve as the day goes on. However, the pain can also increase again if an individual has been on his/her feet for an extended period of time as the prolonged weight bearing can further irritate the plantar fascia.