Do Walking on Tiptoes Help Plantar Fasciitis?
Individuals suffering from plantar fasciitis often report experiencing the most intense pain during their initial steps after waking up in the morning or following prolonged periods of sitting. Additionally, they may also encounter a resurgence of symptoms after extended periods of standing or inactivity. To learn more about plantar fasciitis and its management, click here.
The reason behind this discomfort is the overstretching of the ligament that links the heel and the arch of the foot, known as the plantar fascia. This excessive stretching leads to the development of small tears, resulting in irritation. The primary symptom experienced in this condition is pain occurring beneath the heel and sole of the foot. If you are interested in learning more about plantar fasciitis, feel free to check out this resource on the topic.
In most cases, symptoms of this condition usually arise when taking the first few steps in the morning. However, as you continue to walk and stand throughout the day, these symptoms tend to improve. It’s important to note that the duration of these symptoms can persist for up to a year before the condition resolves naturally.
If you have plantar fasciitis, your doctor can prescribe over-the-counter pain medication, supportive insoles, and stretching exercises. These can help ease your pain and allow you to return to your normal activities.
Exercises can also reduce the severity of your plantar fasciitis and help to prevent future episodes. They also can increase your flexibility and strengthen the muscles of the foot, ankle and calf.
Flexing the foot – This is one of the easiest and most effective ways to relieve tension on the plantar fascia tissue. Doing this exercise for a few minutes each day can help to relieve pain and stiffness and increase blood flow to the tissue.
Stretching the calf muscle – This is another exercise that can help to alleviate pain caused by plantar fasciitis. To do this, loop a towel around the ball of your foot and pull the ends of the towel towards you until you feel a stretch in the bottom of your foot and back of your calf muscle. Hold the stretch for 20 seconds and repeat a few times.
Doing this exercise daily will help to strengthen the calf muscles and give them more control over your ankles. It can also help to improve your balance and stability on your feet, which can contribute to pain relief.
Using a walking frame or a stick to help you walk can also be beneficial in relieving pain from plantar fasciitis, as these assist with your balance and provide support to the ankles.
Applying ice to the affected area, for example, for 20 minutes four times per day may also be helpful in relieving pain and swelling. This can be done in the evening or before you start exercising in the morning.
If you have a medical condition such as diabetes or arthritis, your doctor may recommend wearing special shoes that have special padding to protect the area of your foot from impact. They can also advise you to use a shoe insert or night splint, which can be worn under your shoes while you sleep for short-term relief of pain.
In most cases, a simple home treatment such as icing the affected area can be used to relieve your symptoms and reduce pain. However, if you continue to experience discomfort, your doctor may prescribe medication or refer you to a podiatrist. The doctor will take a medical history and perform a physical exam on your feet to identify painful areas. They will also ask you about your activity level and whether the condition is affecting both of your feet at the same time.
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