Plantar Fasciitis Midland
Struggling with frequent heel pain? Podiatry care could help you.
What Is Plantar Fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain. You may have heard it often referred to as heel spurs. This condition develops when the soft tissue called the plantar fascia is suddenly damaged, and when pressure is continually applied to the injured foot it will cause swelling and further small tears. Discomfort from plantar fasciitis is usually experienced when moving after long periods of being still, such as early in the morning or when standing after rest.
Types of Plantar Fasciitis
There are a wide variety of different types of plantar fasciitis you may experience. The condition doesn’t have one singular cause that will set it off, and people of all sorts of lifestyles and backgrounds may find themselves suffering. Broadly, the most common trigger tends to be overuse of the feet and heels. You’ll find that there are two types of plantar fasciitis – acute (triggered by a specific injury or incident) and chronic (an ongoing case that grows worse over time)
Here are some of the most common factors that can increase your chances of developing plantar fasciitis:
- Sudden increase in physical activity
- Regularly being on your feet for long periods of time
- Poor, unsupportive footwear
- Sudden weight gain, or pressure on the feet due to weight
- Age (the older you get, the more your chances of experiencing plantar fasciitis increase!)
- Tightness in the calves
Symptoms Of Plantar Fasciitis
Simply put, plantar fasciitis manifests as pain in the heel and arch of your foot. But, the pain can feel different for everyone experiencing the condition – that’s why many can let it go undiagnosed for a long time, dismissing their discomfort as something minor or the result of an injury they just need to wait out. You may find yourself in such pain it’s difficult to walk, or you may simply find it to be a small annoyance as you go about your day. Either way, finding treatment for plantar fasciitis is imperative!
Here are some of the most common symptoms we find in plantar fasciitis patients:
- Early morning heel pain, most painful when you take your first steps in the morning
- Heel pain after standing for long periods of time
- Experiencing pain when moving the body from a seated to standing position
- Sharp pains on the bottom of your foot, as though you’ve suddenly stepped on something sharp
- Aches and pains following exercise
- Mild swelling in the heel
Plantar Fasciitis Treatment
Nobody deserves to live in pain – especially when that pain negatively affects your ability to walk, run, and enjoy the simple active pleasures of daily life. At Midland Podiatry, we have a range of treatment options that will help not only to alleviate symptoms but also to find and treat the root cause of the condition. Some of the plantar fasciitis treatment options we can provide include:
- Our effective strength and strengthening exercise programs
- Shockwave therapy
- Foot mobilisation exercises
- Western medical acupuncture
- Strapping
- Orthotics
- Low-level laser treatment
On top of building a treatment plan utilising the best techniques and healthcare for you, our expert podiatrists in Midland will also be able to provide lifestyle advice that may improve your comfort. They work closely with every individual patient to understand their habits and routine, and if there’s anything you can be doing to help minimise your pain, they will help you to identify and implement the appropriate changes.
Frequently Asked Questions About Plantar Fasciitis
Who experiences plantar fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis can develop in absolutely anyone. Even the most active and healthy people can easily overextend themselves and wind up doing damage to their heels and arches. That said, the chances of developing the condition increase depending on weight and age.
When should I see a podiatrist?
Short answer – the moment you feel as though something could be wrong. Catching plantar fasciitis early can help ensure that no further damage is done, and means you can get yourself treated as quickly as possible. If you’re noticing unfamiliar pains and think it might be heel spurs, it’s better to be safe than sorry!
How can I prevent plantar fasciitis?
Small changes in your daily life can work wonders in protecting your foot health. The most important thing is to ensure that you wear supportive, comfortable shoes, especially if you lead an active lifestyle or spend long periods up on your feet. Be sure to stretch and exercise, taking good care of your body.
How long does it take to heal from plantar fasciitis?
Depending on the cause and the unique factors of your case, healing time can massively vary from patient to patient. Typically, if somebody follows their treatment plan and makes conscious changes to their lifestyle, they will find themselves fully healed and alleviated of pain in 6-8 weeks.
Why Choose Midland Podiatry?
Local Healthcare
Simply put, we love our local communities. Midland Podiatry has been bringing compassionate, family-friendly healthcare to Perth’s eastern suburbs for many years now, and there’s nothing we love more than making expert healthcare a local, affordable option for all.
Experienced Team of Podiatrists
Healthcare isn’t something you entrust to just anybody. Choosing the best provider possible is vital to maintain your health. With over 30 years of combined podiatry experience, you can trust that the Midland Podiatry team have all the skills and knowledge necessary to deliver unbeatable foot and leg care.
Compassionate Care
Seeing a podiatrist shouldn’t be intimidating. At Midland Podiatry, we strive to help every single one of our patients feel a level of compassion and care they won’t find anywhere else. When you’re visiting us, you can trust that your comfort and health will be our top priority at all times.
Book Your Podiatry Appointment Today
If left untreated, even minor cases of plantar fasciitis can evolve into something more painful and debilitating for your daily life. You deserve to live actively, without any aches or pains preventing you from experiencing every day to the fullest! Reach out to Midland Podiatry today to get your heel and arch pain checked out, and we’ll start building a treatment plan to get you back on your feet as soon as possible.
