Most of us are on the go during the day time with the exception of those who are on the move till late. Whether it is our jobs or daily exercise routines, walking is simply unavoidable.
Keeping the extent of our everyday activities in mind, wearing comfortable shoes is a sure thing. In order to treat plantar fasciitis, it is important to know what it actually is, how is it caused and what can be some of its treatments.
What is Plantar Fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis arises when the ligaments or thick band of tissues that are located at the bottom of your feet covering your bones (plantar fascia) becomes swollen or inflammatory.
Plantar fascia connects your heel bones to your toes and once it becomes overstretched or strained, it causes pain while walking or even standing.
Causes of Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis can be triggered at an older age between 40 to 60 and can be due to longer running durations, exercises that put stress on your heels like ballet dancing, wearing shoes that are not right for you and obesity.
Some people are born with flat feet or have high arches; both of these can contribute to plantar fasciitis.
You should seek appropriate diagnosis and treatment for plantar fasciitis as neglecting it can exaggerate the pain and can even spread it to other parts of the body.
Do I have Plantar Fasciitis – Diagnosis of Plantar Fasciitis
If you feel pain in your foot, then it might not necessarily happen because of plantar fasciitis. There can be any other reasons for such a pain.
In order to know whether you are suffer from plantar fasciitis or not you need to go for a proper diagnosis of your foot. You should pay a visit to your doctor and explain your symptoms, past health record and any other relevant details.
Your doctor will perform several physical tests and exams including X-rays and ultrasound. You might also be checked for any tenderness or stiffness in the arch of your foot.
What can be done – Treatment of Plantar Fasciitis
Initially, your health provider will advise you to take as much rest as you can, put ice on the swollen area and do straightforward exercises to increases the flexibility of the muscles.
Some doctors also suggest shifting to those shoes that are specifically made to provide comfort and support to your feet. It is not advisable to wear shoes that do not provide any arch support like flip-flops or heels.
You should keep a close look at the wear and tear of your shoes. Saving some money at the expense of your comfort will do you no good. Proper shoes that can be bought as a treatment for plantar fasciitis include running shoes and sneakers.
Once you start looking for the best shoes for plantar fasciitis you will come across a wide variety of these available in the market. For those of us who have to cope with plantar fasciitis extra care is required while choosing the right shoes. With a little extra care, you can enjoy your life in a much better way.
Buying the Best Shoes for Plantar Fasciitis
Either for walking or running, shoes are an integral part of your attire. They remain in contact with your feet most of the time.
Consider the case where you have high arches and you wear shoes for them. In this case you are not actually treating your high arches; rather you are just relieving your feet from any further pain.
In order to get rid of plantar fasciitis you should understand and find out the basis of your problem so that you can come up with proper treatment.