Like many people, you may be suffering from plantar fascia pain that is so severe that it may stop doing everyday things in life. Today, plantar fascia pain is a very common type of foot condition. The soreness can start off as an irritating pain that you feel once in a while, and develop into an acute pain that is felt every day. Sometimes, heel pain can go away on its own, but, if left untreated, the pain in the heel can worsen.

There are usually two places on the heel that people complain of pain, under the heel and in the back of the heel. Commonly, when people suffer from pain in the back of the heel it is related to excessive use or inflammation of the Achilles tendon. When people experience heel pain, it can be caused by a person stepping on a large stone or rock which bruises the heel, or it can be caused by inflammation of the plantar fascia. A heel that is bruised from a sharp object will heal on its own over time. However, if the pain in the heel is a result of inflammation of the plantar fascia, there are a few things that need to be done to help including plantar fasciitis stretching exercises and orthotics.

The heel is connected to the toes by soft tissue called the plantar fascia. Under usual conditions, the plantar fascia is a flexible and strong section of the foot that enables the foot to carry our weight and allows us to stay balanced. If the foot is facing abnormal stress, such as excessive body weight, repetitive movements from sports, age or compromised foot function, it can create small tears in the plantar fascia. These minuscule tears typically appear near the calcaneus bone (heel bone), where they become swollen and cause pain. If this tissue is repeatedly stretched it can create the creation of heel spurs. Heel spurs are boney growths on the heel that can be the source of much pain.

If you are experiencing plantar fascia pain, a popular strategy to help alleviate the stress on the plantar is to use arch support inserts and do plantar fasciitis stretching exercises, to help strengthen the foot arch as well. One of the recommended plantar fasciitis stretching exercises is stretching the foot before you get out of bed. The Plantar Fascia will tighten while you sleep, which tends to cause the intense pain that people feel as soon as they get out of bed. By stretching the bottom of the foot before you put pressure on it, you can lessen the pain associated with your first morning steps. Another useful exercise for stretching out the plantar fascia is to use the arch of the foot to roll a tennis ball or rolling pin. As this becomes less and less difficult you can try doing the exercise standing.

The next important thing to do is immediately put on a comfortable pair of shoes and orthotic arch supports. This will help to cushion and support the foot arch and help to keep it from additional injury. If you use the proper plantar fasciitis stretching exercises and arch support inserts, you will see a great improvement in your heel pain. It is important that you pay attention to your body and if you are aware of foot pain, call a doctor as soon as possible. This will ensure that your pain does not turn into a more serious condition.