Are you struggling with excruciating heel and foot pain? You may have plantar fasciitis. This is a common foot pain cause, especially in athletes, individuals who spend more time on their feet, and older adults. Obesity and your posture, especially walking, such as if you have a flat foot, also increases plantar fasciitis risk. Your Alamo Heights podiatrist can help you manage and treat the pain, making it easier to go about your day. Knowing the common risks and measures you can take to minimize plantar fasciitis risk is also essential as you strive to lead a healthier and more active life. Below are some of the tips to consider.

  1.     Rest

The main causes of plantar fasciitis pain are inflammation and irritation. As such, the more you stay on your feet, the worst the pain gets. Rest can help alleviate the pain, and you can do even better by alleviating the legs. This doesn’t mean you should adopt a sedentary lifestyle; you can still undertake low-impact exercises such as swimming without aggravating the pain. You only have to avoid intensive workouts like jumping and running. If your routine demands more hours on your feet, try as much to include regular breaks, allowing you to sit and limit the pressure leading to inflammation and irritation.

  1.     Wear night splints

Night splints help stretch your calf and plantar fascia in your sleep. This prevents the ligaments from contracting, which makes them less flexible. When they contract, they are vulnerable to pain, and usually the reason you feel like you are walking on hot coal as you get out of bed in the morning. Besides avoiding the contraction in your sleep, you can keep the splints during the day for supportive stretching as you manage your routine.

  1.     The right shoes

As you go footwear shopping, don’t just focus on fashion taste. You need a good pair offering adequate support to keep plantar fasciitis at bay. Pick the right fit, and ensure the pair offers support to your feet and ankles. If you are an athlete or active, ensuring you replace your footwear regularly is also advisable since the wear impacts their structure, affecting the support offered. Limit footwear like flip-flops, too, since they hardly provide any arch support. As you consider footwear, you can kick the efforts a notch higher by including custom orthotics. The orthotics are designed to fit your unique feet shape and address any needs you may have.

  1.     Lose the extra pounds

Excess weight puts you at increasingly high risk of many health concerns, plantar fasciitis included. The extra pounds put more pressure on your feet, especially the arches, aggravating the pain. Losing weight will keep the plantar fasciitis in check and, even better, give your leg and joints some love, and improve overall health, including blood circulation.

Plantar fasciitis flare-ups can be frustrating, to say the least. While options like over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications can help, seeking professional assistance is recommended. A professional can help you uncover more such as poor posture aggravating the symptoms. Visit Sports Medicine Associates today for more on plantar fasciitis and all your feet-related needs.