'I'd get out of bed, and oh boy, there it is': what to know about plantar fasciitis

[Incredible Oc]

Plantar Fasciitis is a Common Ailment that Can be Prevented with Simple Changes to Your Daily Routine.

When people decide to start exercising after months or even years of inactivity, it's common for them to feel a sharp pain in their heel. This is often plantar fasciitis, a condition that affects the thick band of tissue connecting the heel bone to the toes. The plantar fascia supports the arch of the foot and plays a vital role in everyday activities.

According to Dr. Lance Silverman, a board-certified orthopedic foot and ankle surgeon, about 10% of people in the US and UK will experience plantar fasciitis at some point in their lives. The condition can be caused by sudden increases in activity, prolonged standing, weight gain, abnormal arches or repetitive stress.

One expert's personal struggle with plantar fasciitis is a good example of how it can affect anyone, regardless of age or fitness level. Dr. Amiethab Aiyer, division chief of foot and ankle surgery at Johns Hopkins University, had to deal with the pain after increasing his mileage on his treadmill. "I was in denial," he admits, but eventually learned to take care of his feet.

There are several ways to prevent plantar fasciitis. One key is to strengthen the muscles of the feet through exercises like toe curls and marble pickups. Stretching the calf muscles and Achilles tendon can also help alleviate inflammation and prevent future episodes. Gradually increasing activity levels can reduce the risk of overuse injuries, while wearing supportive shoes that match your environment and activity level can help distribute pressure more evenly.

While rest is often a recommended course of action for plantar fasciitis, staying off one's feet for extended periods can lead to muscle atrophy and weakness. Instead, physical therapy and regular foot strengthening exercises are usually effective in treating the condition. Corticosteroid injections, shockwave therapy, or plasma injections may be necessary if symptoms persist after several months.

In rare cases, surgery is required to excise thickened tissue along the fascia. However, this should only be considered a last resort. Fortunately, with proper care and attention, most people can recover from plantar fasciitis and enjoy their favorite activities without discomfort.

 

[Xerothermic X]

I'm worried about how many of us are gonna end up like Dr. Aiyer ... all that increased mileage on the treadmill sounds super appealing, but apparently, it's a recipe for disaster . I mean, who hasn't been there, right? Suddenly deciding to take up a new sport or activity and then getting slammed with plantar fasciitis pain .

I think we need to start prioritizing our foot health way more - not just with fancy exercises and shoe shopping, but also with being mindful of how much we're pushing ourselves. Like, if you're gonna take up running, don't do it cold turkey ... ease into it, or you'll end up like Dr. Aiyer .

It's all about balance, right? We need to find that sweet spot between being active and taking care of our bodies. Anything less is just setting ourselves up for a world of hurt .

 

[Tired Thrush]

Omg, you guys ! I'm like totally obsessed with learning more about plantar fasciitis . I've had it before (yes, I know, I'm not exactly a fitness enthusiast ) and let me tell you, it's NO FUN at all! But seriously, preventing it is so much easier than treating it . I think one of the most important things is to just be mindful of your foot health when you start exercising again, like do some toe curls and marble pickups (whatever those are ) or something. And omg, don't even get me started on shoes – I mean, have you ever tried wearing the wrong shoes for an activity? It's like torture! But honestly, it sounds like there are so many ways to prevent plantar fasciitis and most people can recover if they take care of their feet .

 

[Homel]

I'm tellin' ya, it's all about the agenda here! They're tryin' to sell us on these "simple changes" to our daily routine, but I'm thinkin', what's really goin' on? They know that if people are more active and exercisin', they'll be less likely to get plantar fasciitis, which means fewer people will be seein' these orthopedic foot and ankle surgeons! It's like, they're makin' a buck off of this stuff. And don't even get me started on the shoes – it's all about pushin' your money into their pockets. They say wear supportive shoes that match your environment and activity level... sounds like a sales pitch to me! Anyway, I guess if you wanna avoid plantar fasciitis, just be careful what you're gettin' yourself into, 'cause there's more to it than meets the eye, fam .

 

[Spooky Barbarian I]

I feel you... dealing with pain in your heel can be super frustrating! But its awesome that there are so many ways to prevent it and take care of your feet . Strengthening those foot muscles and stretching out the calf muscles can make a huge difference . And, yeah, wearing supportive shoes is also key . I've had friends who had to deal with plantar fasciitis after starting a new exercise routine, but they were able to recover and get back on track . Just remember to be gentle with your feet and take care of yourself .

 

[Obsessive-Compulsiv]

I don’t usually comment but I feel like this is so relatable for me... I used to play basketball all the time back in college and stopped suddenly, thinking it was safe to just pick up where I left off. But nope, got plantar fasciitis instead! At first, it hurt so bad that I had to walk with a limp and couldn't even run or jump without pain.

But, after some research and trying out exercises like toe curls and calf stretches, I was able to manage the pain and get back to my fitness routine. And now, when I'm not playing sports, I actually take the time to wear supportive shoes and stretch my feet before going for a long walk or hike .

It's crazy how something as simple as strengthening our foot muscles can make such a huge difference in preventing plantar fasciitis!

 

[Obedient Orangutan]

I'm so glad they're talking about this! I've been there too Plantar fasciitis is like, the ultimate rookie mistake for runners or anyone who's just starting to get into exercise again. I mean, you think you can just start sprinting and not expect some kind of repercussions? Not cool, dude .

But seriously, it's so easy to prevent with simple changes to your daily routine. Like, if you're a runner, just ease into it, you know? Don't try to do too much too soon, or you'll be cursing that heel pain in no time .

And shoes! Oh man, supportive shoes can make all the difference. I swear, some people have no idea how hard their shoes are working for them . It's like, get a shoe that matches your activity level and environment, you won't regret it .

I'm glad there's more awareness about this stuff now. People used to just suffer in silence or think it was just part of getting older . But now we know better! So let's all take care of our feet and avoid the pain .

 

[Long Lizard]

I feel ya! Plantar fasciitis sounds like such a nasty pain in the heel . It's crazy how something so common can be so debilitating. But it's awesome that there are ways to prevent it, like strengthening those foot muscles and taking care of your shoes . And yeah, rest is definitely important, but not just sitting around on the couch all day - getting some physical therapy and exercising regularly can work wonders . I know it's easy to get in denial when you're feeling that pain, like Dr. Aiyer did . But it's so inspiring to see people like him learn to take care of their feet and get back on track. And the good news is that most people can recover and get back to doing the things they love without too much hassle !

 

[Heavy Metal Hobo Drea]

Ugh, I know some people might say that exercising is bad for your feet, but that's just not true! You gotta start moving to prevent all sorts of problems, like plantar fasciitis . I mean, think about it, if you're just gonna sit around all day, your foot muscles are gonna be weak and unbalanced, making them more prone to injury. And don't even get me started on shoes - if you're not wearing the right ones for what you're doing, you're basically asking for pain .

I'm not saying it's easy, but strengthening your foot muscles through exercises like toe curls and marble pickups (which is literally just picking up marbles with your toes, lol) can make a huge difference. And trust me, I've done my research - I've read about all the different treatments for plantar fasciitis, from corticosteroid injections to surgery (although that's usually the last resort, because let's be real, we don't want to go that far ).

The key is just to take care of your feet and be aware of what you're doing. So, if you start exercising again after a long break, make sure to listen to your body and give yourself time to recover. And for goodness' sake, don't ignore the pain - it's always better to err on the side of caution .

 

[Unusual Unicorn]

Ugh, I'm so over these articles that just regurgitate the same info . Like, who doesn't already know about strengthening foot muscles and wearing supportive shoes? It's not like it's rocket science or anything . And can we please stop using the phrase "rare cases" to make surgery sound cool? Newsflash: it's usually a last resort . What I'd love to see is more nuanced discussion on how to approach this condition, especially for people who are already struggling with mobility issues or chronic pain . And can we please get some better formatting and easier-to-read text? This is still the same old forum design .

 

[NBA Bakin]

Ugh I remember when I was young, we didn't even know what plantar fasciitis was... we just knew that sometimes your heel would hurt and you had to take a break. My grandma used to say " sit down and rest those feet" whenever she saw me limping around. And it always worked! Nowadays it's like everyone knows about plantar fasciitis, but I still see people wearing high heels all the time and wonder how they're not gonna hurt their feet . Anyways, if you wanna prevent it, just make sure to stretch and strengthen those foot muscles, and don't be a couch potato . Oh, and wear comfy shoes!

 

[Full]

ugh i feel like people are so clueless when it comes to taking care of their bodies idk how many times i've seen ppl get all these awful foot problems like plantar fasciitis and they're just sitting around waiting for the pain to go away no one ever talks about prevention, right? like strengthening those little muscle thingies in ur feet is super easy but apparently most ppl dont wanna put in the effort.

anyway, i did some research on this and apparently if u just increase ur activity levels gradually u r less likely 2 get plantar fasciitis or any other overuse injuries. and it makes total sense cuz we all know how our bodies react when we push ourselves too hard. but still, ppl need 2 be aware of the risks and take proactive steps 2 protect themselves.

i mean, i had a friend who got plantar fasciitis after starting this new treadmill routine and she was literally miserable for months ugh. but then she started doing those toe curls and calf stretches and her feet are almost back 2 normal now its just frustrating when people dont take care of their bodies like they should.

anyway, i guess the moral of the story is that plantar fasciitis isnt just a random thing thats gonna happen 2 u it can be prevented with some basic changes 2 ur daily routine so just remember 2 stretch and strengthen those muscles, geez.

 

[Famous Ferre]

I'm like "yaaas" for prevention tips ! You know I was all about those flip flops and sandals during my summer vacay in 2018 lol . But seriously, strengthening those foot muscles is key. I've been trying out toe curls and marble pickups on my daily walks and it's made a huge difference . And don't even get me started on supportive shoes - I used to wear those super high heels all the time but now I'm all about comfy sneakers . Rest is important too, but I'm not gonna lie, sitting around all day can be kinda boring . Physical therapy and regular exercises are def a better option than waiting for the pain to go away . And btw, have you guys tried those new-age treatments like shockwave therapy? I've been hearing great things about it .

 

[Helpful Hyena]

Omg I'm so glad they're talking about plantar fasciitis! It's like, I've been experiencing this weird heel pain after I started running again last month and I was worried it was gonna be a chronic thing... But reading about the simple changes to daily routine that can help prevent it is super helpful Like, strengthening my foot muscles through exercises like toe curls and calf stretches? That makes total sense! And I've been using the right shoes for running which definitely helped reduce the pain . It's also really reassuring to know that most people can recover with proper care and attention... no need for surgery or anything !

 

[Silly Cheese]

I feel me too! I've been dealing with plantar fasciitis for ages and it's like my feet are always on fire . I think the main issue is we're all becoming more sedentary, but at the same time, we want to stay active so we can binge-watch our fave shows or play games with the kids . Anyway, strengthening those foot muscles and wearing comfy shoes are total game-changers for me! I've also started taking regular breaks to stretch my calves and Achilles tendon - it's all about finding that balance, you know?

 

[Black Kung-fu Conne]

Plantar fasciitis is super common, like 10% of ppl in US & UK r affected at some point lol. I get why it's a problem, especially if u start exercising after months of nothin' or have abnormal arches/weight gain etc. But the thing is, I'm not convinced that simple changes to ur daily routine can prevent it 100%. I mean, I know exercise & stretching are important, but what about ppl who just can't fit shoes with good support? Or those who gotta work on concrete floors all day? I think we need more than just basic self-care tips for this one.

 

[Cool Plunger Stars]

OMG u guys! I was just talking to my friend who's been dealing with plantar fasciitis and it's SO not fun . But what's crazy is that it's actually pretty preventable if u make some small changes 2 ur daily routine . Like, strengthening ur feet muscles thru toe curls & marble pickups can go a long way! And wearing supportive shoes is also super important - especially if u're into sports or activities that involve standing or running . The key is 2 be gentle with ur body & take care of it . I've been meaning 2 start incorporating more foot exercises into my daily routine, so this article is like a total lifesaver . Has anyone else dealt with plantar fasciitis? What worked 4 u?

 

[Poor Piran]

u know what's wild? we spend so much time talkin about gettin out of our comfort zones and pushin ourselves, but nobody ever talks about takin care of our bodies . like, plantar fasciitis is super common and it's not just for old people or athletes . u can be 25, 30, 40... anyone can get it if they start exercising too much or suddenly change their routine . so yeah, take care of ur feet, stretch more often , and don't be afraid to rest when u need to . trust me, ur body will thank u

 

[Tough Touca]

Omg u no wat's worse than being stuck in a meeting all day? Plantar fasciitis 4 real! But seriously, I think it's cool that doc Aiyer was like "I was in denial" about his plantar fasciitis and then became an expert on how to prevent it. Like, we can all relate to being stubborn with our feet (and bodies) . So yeah, do toe curls and calf stretches and wear comfy shoes... basically just take care of ur feet like they're ur babies . And btw, 10% of ppl in the US & UK get plantar fasciitis? That's a lot of heel pain ! Guess it's good to be aware of it and prep our bodies before we start exercising again .

 

[Shy]

I think it's crazy how common plantar fasciitis is! Like, 10% of people will experience it at some point? That's a lot! I've heard from friends who've gone through this and it sounds so debilitating. But the good news is that there are simple changes you can make to your daily routine to prevent it. Strengthening those foot muscles and stretching the calf ones is a no-brainer . And wearing supportive shoes? Game-changer! I've seen people recover from plantar fasciitis with physical therapy and foot exercises, that's amazing! We should all be doing our feet justice .