Plantar Fasciitis Relief: 12 Lifestyle Changes and Treatment Strategies that Can Help

When inflammation strikes the tough band of tissue that supports the arch of your feet, pain can make walking difficult if not downright excruciating. Called plantar fasciitis, this condition usually stems from overstressing or overusing your feet. 

About 10% of the nation’s population will suffer from plantar fasciitis at some point in their lives, making it a common foot problem resulting in two million treatments every year. When plantar fasciitis pain lasts longer than a week, it’s time to visit Mastracco Foot & Ankle in North Canton, Ohio.

Since walking is central to living, you want fast relief from plantar fasciitis when it strikes. This month’s blog focuses on lifestyle changes and treatment strategies to help ease your foot and heel pain. 

Lifestyle changes for plantar fasciitis

One problem that sometimes arises with plantar fasciitis injuries is the inability to rest your feet sufficiently to aid natural healing. There are lifestyle adjustments you can make that help to reduce the load on your feet or to cushion the impact of daily life. 

Consider these four tips to help with plantar fasciitis pain in both the long- and short-term: 

1. Attain and maintain a healthy body mass: your optimal body weight reduces extra strain on your feet
2. Choose appropriate footwear: supportive shoes with arch support and cushioning; check and replace footwear with worn soles
3. Reduce the impact: low-impact activities like cycling and swimming can give your feet a break
4. Try cold therapy: use an ice pack or frozen water bottle to reduce inflammation and ease pain in your feet

Simple stretches for the Achilles tendon, calf muscles, and plantar fascia can also aid your recovery. 

Treatment strategies

Podiatrist Dominick Mastracco, DPM, FACFAS, and his team specialize in heel pain. Dr. Mastracco typically advises conservative treatments to allow your body to heal itself. Four treatment approaches we may start with include: 

1. Night splints: wearable supports that hold your feet in a stretched position as you sleep
2. Orthotics: custom-made inserts to cushion and support your feet
3. Physical therapy: increases strength and flexibility of the feet and lower legs
4. Walking boots: when increased immobilization is necessary

We may also recommend over-the-counter or prescription analgesic and anti-inflammatory medications for pain management. 

Aggressive approaches

When conservative therapies aren’t enough, Dr. Mastracco recommends advanced treatments, including: 

1. Steroid injections: powerful anti-inflammatory injections can promote healing
2. Ultrasonic tissue repair: a minimally invasive technique that breaks up and removes damaged plantar fascia tissue
3. Shock wave therapy: sound wave treatments that stimulate healing of plantar fascia tissue
4. Surgical solutions: surgery isn’t usually necessary to treat plantar fasciitis, but it’s an option if other treatments don’t produce results

Chances are that your plantar fasciitis will resolve with conservative care. Contact Mastracco Foot & Ankle when home care isn’t enough. Book an appointment online with our North Canton office, or call our appointment hotline at 330-244-8989 today.