5 Solutions for Plantar Fasciitis Pain

Plantar fasciitis is a common cause of heel pain that affects about one in 10 people at some point in their lives.  If your mobility is limited by persistent heel pain or pain that’s becoming harder to control, you can find the help you need at New Tampa Interventional Pain & Sports Medicine.

Our pain specialist, Jose De La Torre, MD, specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of plantar fasciitis. Dr. De La Torre uses the latest technologies to evaluate the inner structures of your foot to identify the root source of pain.

We provide a variety of nonsurgical therapies to ease plantar fasciitis pain and restore your quality of life. Here, we outline five solutions to help you stay in control of plantar fasciitis pain and other symptoms.

How plantar fasciitis develops

The strong band of tissue that connects your toes to your heel bone is known as the plantar fascia. When these tissues are inflamed, irritated by bone spurs, or stretched too far from overuse, it can result in plantar fasciitis.

Often, plantar fasciitis symptoms start gradually. You may notice an ache in the underside of your foot after standing for a long time or following physical activity. The aching sensation might shift into ongoing pain when you walk barefoot or wear shoes that don’t provide adequate arch support.

Risk factors for plantar fasciitis include enduring repetitive stress on the heel from activities like running or dancing, or suddenly increasing the intensity of physical activities. Other factors that can influence your risk for chronic heel pain include:

• Aging
• Flat feet
• Obesity
• Abnormal gait
• Overly tight calf muscles
• Wearing high heels

In some cases, plantar fasciitis symptoms can interfere with your ability to stay active or keep up with daily responsibilities. If you have chronic heel pain but aren’t sure why, schedule a diagnostic evaluation with Dr. De La Torre to confirm or rule out plantar fasciitis.

5 strategies for managing plantar fasciitis pain

New Tampa Interventional Pain & Sports Medicine focuses on pain relief strategies that can delay or prevent the need for surgery.

Here are five solutions that we recommend to address plantar fasciitis symptoms without invasive treatments:

1. Orthotics

Shoe inserts and other orthotics provide additional arch support to relieve constant pressure on the fascia and heel. Orthotics can also add stability to your foot and ankle during sports and other physical activities.

2. Gentle stretching exercises

Engaging in gentle exercises that target your calf muscles and the arches of your feet can make the plantar fascia more resilient and less likely to tear.

In some cases, Dr. De La Torre may refer you to a physical therapist to rehabilitate damaged tissue to prevent additional complications.

3. Ice therapy

Applying an ice pack to the heel for 15-20 minutes several times a day helps fight inflammation that contributes to persistent heel pain.

It’s also important that you take time to rest the painful heel throughout the day to prevent overextending the tissue.

4. Anti-inflammatory medicines

Anti-inflammatory medications reduce inflammation and provide daily pain relief.

If over-the-counter medicines are no longer controlling your pain, we can prescribe stronger medications or cortisone injections to support the healing of overstretched or torn fascia.

5. Immobilization

Night splints, a walking boot, or another immobilization device may be needed for a period of time to allow your tissues to heal. 

The length of immobilization depends on the severity of the tissue inflammation and whether or not the plantar fascia has torn.

Call New Tampa Interventional Pain & Sports Medicine in Wesley Chapel, Florida, today to learn more about nonsurgical treatment options for plantar fasciitis symptoms. You can also book an appointment online.