Some pain might occur only in specific period of time, and heel pain occurring during morning time is one perfect example. Sufferers might go to bed feeling fine, yet waking up with severe throbbing pain that occur locally in the heel. As this is the type of painful sensation that becomes severe upon arising from bed in the morning or after certain period of inactivity during the day, this health issue is also coined as “first-step pain”. The pain is also widely known as a symptom of an ailment called plantar fasciitis.

Symptoms of plantar fasciitis

Knowing symptoms of any specific ailments is crucial, as this will help determine the most suitable treatments to speed up healing process. If you are developing plantar fasciitis, some or all of these symptoms should be noticeable.

• Pain in one of or both heels when you get out of bed in the morning. The pain can be mild, moderate, or severe.
• Pain that subsides after you walk for a few minutes. However, this pain may come back and occur when you stand up after sitting for prolonged period.
• Pain that occurs to and stays mostly on the center of the bottom of your heel. The pain does not usually spread to the surrounding area of the heel. Occurring pain stays on the center of your heel bottom until it eventually subsides. The pain sensation includes aching, throbbing, burning, and stabbing in the heel.
• Pain bothers you continuously. Sufferers may experience the pain for days, weeks, and even months. The pain may be milder and severe respectively, but is always there for certain period of time.

This heel pain, or plantar fasciitis commonly can be a sign of something serious but treatable. Thus, ignoring early symptoms related to this progressive condition may result in worsened ailment.

How plantar fasciitis occurs

Plantar fascia is the flat band of tissue—the ligament that run across your bottom of foot and connects the heel and the toes, according to Mayo Clinic. Plantar fasciitis, hence refers to inflammation that is undergone by this plantar fascia, causing stabbing sensation that occurs after the inactive period of the foot, such as after night sleep or sit. Plantar fascia supports the arch of your foot and therefore, when overly strained, may get weak, swollen, and inflamed.

Some people are more susceptible to this aching heel problem, due to age, lifestyle, and even occupation. Middle-aged people can be more prone, although younger people that are on their feet continuously may also experience this heel pain while getting out of the bed in the morning. In another case, heel pain is suffered by those wearing wrong sized footwear or non-supportive high heels. People with certain occupations, such as soldiers and athletes may also be susceptible to plantar fasciitis.

What causes plantar fasciitis?

When you are suffering from any kind of ailment, finding out its main cause will lead to the most suitable treatment that will lessen the symptoms and eventually heal the ailment. Some risk factors of an inflamed plantar fascia—or torn heel ligament are:

1. Excessive walking that causes inward-rolling foot. This is also known as excessive pronation. Normally, when you are walking, your foot lands first on the outer heel. This will pass your weight along the inner edge of the sole before bringing it back to the outside of the food. In excessive pronation, however, body weight stays on the inner edge of the sole.
2. High-arched or flat feet. A foot with unusually high arch occurs due to a sudden increase in physical activity that put excessive weight on the foot, such as obesity or pregnancy. This will cause the arch of the foot collapses and thus, the plantar fascia to be stretched away from the heel bone. This causes pain in the morning because while resting, the plantar fascia contracts back to its original shape.
3. Standing, walking, or running for a long period of time, especially on hard surfaces. This will put body weight on the heel and thus, give over pressure to the plantar fascia.
4. Wearing shoes that do not fit your size perfectly. This will stretch the plantar fascia and may lead to its inflammation.

What can be done about plantar fasciitis?

The crucial key for the proper treatment of heel ligament inflammation is determining the main cause and other risk factors you are susceptible to. If the main cause of your plantar fascia pain is wearing wrong-fitted shoes, the best treatment is changing your shoes into cushioned heels that are shock-absorbing. Wearing foot wears that are made from high-quality material that supports your feet and provide comfort is definitely advised. This will prevent you from putting unrequired pressure onto the heel that affects the ligament.

If you are suffering from an inflammation caused by flat feet or over-pronation, an orthotic arch support will be a perfect treatment gear. This arch support will provide support to the heel, so that pressure can be circulated properly instead of being merely on certain area of the heel. As being overweight may also put too much pressure on your ligament, it is best to keep your weight well-maintained. Maintaining your meal plan and daily exercises will be really helpful in boosting body metabolism that affect your entire body weight.

It is also best to avoid standing, walking, and running for prolonged time. When doing sports and exercises, be sure to put some intervals in between the sessions. This will maintain the pressure level your plantar fascia is going to receive. It is also best to change exercises you are doing, as certain exercises might elevate your susceptibility of plantar fascia inflammation.

Plantar fasciitis might can be healed properly as long as you provide suitable initial treatments. Untreated inflammation may lead to more complicated problems, so that it is really important to perform treatments as soon as you feel certain pain sensation when waking up and getting out of the bed in the morning.