Dealing with plantar fasciitis can be a huge pain, literally. Fortunately, your podiatrist, Dr. Peter Siroka, is here to help you find relief. Learn all about what to do if you suspect you may be suffering from plantar fasciitis in Stamford, CT.

What is Plantar Fasciitis?

All over our body, we have a connective tissue called fascia that surrounds our muscles, nerves, organs, etc. to hold them all in place. Specifically, the fascia that runs across the arch of your foot is known as the plantar fascia, and when it gets irritated or inflamed, that’s when problems arise. 

Since this connective tissue attaches to your heel, most patients with plantar fasciitis will feel acute pain on the bottom of their feet. This condition can be exacerbated by standing for long periods of time, running or walking for long distances, playing sports, and other factors like muscle imbalances and age. Most commonly, we see overpronation at the foot, which means your foot turns in with every step. This puts our mechanics out of line and irritates the fascial tissue the more and more you do it.

How to Treat It

If you suspect you have plantar fasciitis, the first thing to do is stop doing any painful activity. Rest will help prevent further exacerbating the issue, and then you can talk with your podiatrist in Stamford, CT about a plantar fasciitis rehabilitative process. Obviously, most of us can’t avoid standing or walking around completely, so taking anti-inflammatory medications and applying an ice cup/ice pack to the heel may help, but these are only short-term solutions. 

Common treatments include:

• Orthotics, or prescription arch support created specifically for your foot
• Stretching exercises or myofascial release of the calf
• Retraining the foot with toe activation and foot mechanics exercises
• Strengthening exercises such as band-resisted ankle movements
• Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy, or direct sound wave treatment for stubborn cases

Ready to relieve your foot pain? Get in touch today!

At the end of the day, you and your podiatrist will need to discuss your specific case and treatment plan, as every foot varies. Contact your podiatrist, Dr. Siroka for plantar fasciitis treatment in Stamford, CT today at (203) 614-8185 to schedule an appointment.