Plantar Fasciitis and Heel Pain

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You wake up one morning and place your foot and the floor and your heel hurts! It may be sore or tight and you do not understand what has happened. Maybe the pain is preventing you from doing your favorite activities, which can be endlessly disturbing. Or perhaps your heel/arch pain has progressively increased over time, or may have gone away and come back depending on your activity level.

The classic symptoms are pain and stiffness on the bottom of your heel, which feels worse in the morning and with the first steps out of bed and also in the beginning of an activity after a period of rest. For instance, after sitting for a period of time, people feel pain when they first stand on the floor, or runners may feel pain during their initial few minutes of their run.

Plantar Fasciitis and Heel Pain is very common conditions that can be helped with the correct diagnosis and treatment. Read on to learn why the use of the Micro-Z Mini™ and conductive garment is a valuable tool in reducing the pain and pathology associated with these painful conditions.

What is Plantar Fasciitis and Why is It So Painful?
Plantar fasciitis is a painful inflammatory process of the thick fibrous band of connective tissue about the bottom of the foot, which starts on the bottom of the heel bone (calcaneus) and runs along the bottom of the foot towards the toes. There are many causes of this painful foot condition. If a comprehensive treatment is not started early, the condition can become chronic and can lead to painful conditions in the legs, knees and even back. This is so, as when the heel and arch hurt you tend to shift your weight to the other side and compensatory pains can begin.

It is interesting to note that structures such as the plantar fascia, arch band, and other tendons and ligaments do not actually become inflamed, but the pain is from tiny microscopic tears at the cellular level. This is important to remember, because the Micro-Z Mini™ and conductive garment is so effective because the unit increases local blood supply to help heal the small microscopic tears to your painful arch.

Common Causes of Plantar Fasciitis
There are many causes of a painful arch and heel, with the following being some of the more common:

1. Long periods of standing. 
2. Improperly fitting shoes. For example, when wearing uncomfortable, ill-fitting shoes, 45 percent of Americans said they experienced heel pain.
3. Certain Foot Types such as high arches (pes cavus) and flat or pronated feet.
4. Weight Concerns or sudden weight gain
5. Running on too hard surfaces, poor training regimen

More “Medical” Causes of Heel and Arch Pain are:

1. Plantar Fasciitis
2. Heel Spur Syndrome
3. Calcaneal (heel) Fracture (break)
4. Calcaneal Apophysitis (pain about the heel growth center in children)
5. Achilles Tendonitis
6. Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome (nerve trapped about the inner ankle area)
7. Bursitis
8. Baxter’s Nerve Entrapment (a nerve that is trapped causing heel pain)

Key Facts
Fact: According to a recent survey from the American Podiatric Medical Association, heel pain is the number one foot ailment for Americans.
Fact: It has been reported that plantar fasciitis occurs in two million Americans a year and in 10% of the U.S. population over a lifetime. Nearly 40 percent of Americans revealed foot pain has inhibited them from performing life’s daily activities. 
Fact: More than 20 percent of patients visit foot specialists because of heel pain.
Fact: Over 50 percent of Americans will experience heel pain during their lifetime. 
Fact: Foot pain should never be considered normal. 

Good News for Arch and Heel Pain Sufferers
The encouraging news is that when heel pain is detected early, conservative treatment options will help you experience quick and reduced pain. However, typically the longer you have untreated heel pain, the more difficult it is to successfully treat conservatively.

Although plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain, the condition can often be misdiagnosed. A podiatric physician can determine if your heel pain may be due to other causes, including nerve, tendon problems or referred pain from other anatomic areas.

Plantar fasciitis is often confused with heel spurs. Heel spurs however, generally do not cause heel pain on their own unless there has been trauma to that area. The plantar fascia is susceptible to overuse as the structure bears up to 14% of the pressure exerted on the foot.

Treatments
Between the structural complexity of the heel, its biomechanics and the pressure we put on it when we engage in all standing and walking activity, it is clear why the heel is vulnerable to heel and arch inflammation and discomfort. Heel and arch pain is very common among much of the public, most athletes, runners and dancers. Because of the multiple causes of arch and heel pain, the unique structure of each foot, and the varying amounts of stress that each person puts on his or her feet, it is important that your arch and heel pain is individually diagnosed and that a treatment plan is prescribed for your specific needs. 

A comprehensive evaluation, possibly diagnostic x-rays and diagnostic ultrasound an individualized office and home treatment plan can be constructed make once a proper diagnosis.

Among the valuable ingredients of an office-based treatment plan are:

1. Podiatric Rehabilitation modalities such as electrotherapy, joint and soft-tissue mobilization, ultrasound, various sport taping methods to support your feet and of course, a progressive exercise and stretching program.
2. The home use of the Micro-Z Mini™ and conductive garment should be considered one valuable ingredient. When you use while you sleep or during the day, you will experience an increased blood circulation to your foot which will help promote healing at the cellular level, help improve range of motion and help reduce your pain.