To conclude my recent series on Plantar Fasciits I would like to discuss the treatments of this often debilitating condition. With every condition the treatment plan starts conservatively. My philosophy is to treat the cause of the problem not just the symptoms. With Plantar Fasciits this is simple.

The heel pain associated with Plantar Fasciits is the result of swelling and edema caused by the injury of the plantar fascia. This swelling and edema should be treated with ice and anti-inflammatories. Now I know most people role their eyes when they are told to ice, but for this condition it is amazing how much this helps. Don't believe me, then take the Nemet Challenge. Soak your foot 3 times a day for 10 minutes in an ice bath for 2 weeks. Supplement this with OTC antiinflammatories or antiinflammatories prescribed by your doctor. Within 1-2 weeks even the worst cases of plantar fasciitis improve with this treatment. Unfortunately, if this is all you do, then your symptoms will quickly return when you stop. Why you ask? Because you treated the symptoms, not the condition.

We treat the condition in 2 ways. The first is by resting the plantar fascia. This can be accomplished by wearing an OTC arch support. I would recommend the Superfeet brand. They can be found in our store. I would recommend wearing them with athletic type shoe for every step for about 2 weeks. The 2nd, and most important, way to treat the condition is by doing calf stretching exercises. This can be accomplished by standing a little more than an arms length away from a wall. Keep you heel on the ground and with your knee straight lean in to the wall. You will feel a pulling on your calf muscle. This stretch should be done 3 times a day consisting of 3 10 second sets. After a week or two you will notice that your calf muscle is not as tight when you stretch.

Also at that time, you will realize that your heel pain is gone. If the above mentioned course of treatment does not seem to help then it is time to see a professional. They can audit your current treatment program and adjust it as necessary or offer more advanced treatments like cortisone injections, orthotic, shock wave therapy or surgery. It is my experience that greater than 95% of our patients will heal with the conservative method outlined above when it is done correctly. If you have any questions about this series of articles regarding Plantar Fasciits then please visit the Podiatry Inc Discussion Boards and we can discuss it further.