7 Signs You Have Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is a condition that leads to pain in the bottom of the heel. The plantar fascia is a thick ligament that connects your heel to the front of your foot. It works as a shock absorber and supports the arch of your foot, helping you walk.

Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common orthopedic issues. Your plantar fascia ligaments undergo a lot of wear and tear in your daily life. If you put too much pressure on your feet, the plantar fascia can get inflamed, and the inflammation provokes heel pain and stiffness.

The reason for plantar fasciitis discomfort is still unclear. According to a 2003 study, the disorder might involve degeneration rather than inflammation of the plantar fascia. In most cases, people with plantar fasciitis recover in several months with conservative treatment, but in severe cases, some may require plantar fasciitis surgery.

Here are some signs you might have plantar fasciitis:

The ligament that's located along the bottom of your foot (known as the plantar fascia), connects from your toes to your heel and supports the arch of your foot helping absorb the shock as you walk or run.

Plantar fasciitis occurs due to a strain to this ligament from overuse. It seems to be the most common condition that any foot specialist sees. Most of the time, symptoms happen where the ligament attaches to the heel.

If you have high arches, you might have an increased risk of plantar fasciitis since the ligament has to work harder to support your body. Also, if you pronate as you walk or run, your foot collapses which puts too much pressure on the bottom of your feet, upping your chances of developing heel pain. Your calf also affects your risk. If the calf muscle is tight, it can contribute to problems.

Running puts too much pressure on your feet, especially if you run on hard surfaces such as concrete. Zumba and walking for long distances increase your risk of getting plantar fasciitis as well.

Lower-impact exercises like swimming or bicycling can relieve heel and foot pain. Make sure you have proper shoes, stretch out your calves on a regular basis, and do not increase your mileage too quickly.

Pain that occurs right after you wake up is a silent sign of plantar fasciitis. This pain is typically the worst after you get out of bed and take your first few steps or after you've been sitting for hours and finally get up to move around.

Just like sitting too long can lead to heel pain flaring up, so can standing on your feet all day. Whether you're standing at a desk, walking around, or you rapidly increase the levels of physical activity, you raise your risk of developing plantar fasciitis.

People with extra pounds often experience muscle, joint, and bone problems because having excess weight puts too much stress on these body systems, and your feet are not an exception. Obesity raises your risk of plantar fasciitis and can worsen your symptoms.

Ballet flats you switch to when it's chillier out are no better than flip-flops. As cute as they might be, these shoes don't support your feet well. Choose a shoe with a drop, where the heel is slightly higher than the front of the shoe.