Plantar Fasciitis: Causes, Symptoms, Signs & Treatment Options
Plantar fasciitis is a common and painful condition. As the pain worsens, it may become difficult to stand or even walk. Fortunately, there are known treatments that can help reduce pain and restore functionality.
Here, we'll discuss plantar fasciitis and approaches that can help alleviate pain and promote healing. We will also discuss the role of essential oils for plantar pain. Understanding more about common plantar fasciitis causes, its symptoms, and treatment methods can help you start down the road to recovery and pain relief.
How Plantar Fasciitis affects Your Body
Plantar fasciitis is caused by stretching or thickening of the heel that results in painful inflammation. Continuous stress on the heel bone causes tiny tears in the tissue, leading to pain and stiffness. The treatment for plantar fasciitis aims to reduce inflammation and pain, as well as regaining the normal elasticity of the affected tissue. As with many conditions, addressing plantar fasciitis as early as possible will often yield better outcomes than waiting until pain worsens.
Types of Plantar Fasciitis
The symptoms of plantar fasciitis can vary depending on the severity and root cause of the condition. Here are some of the most common types you could encounter:
Acute Plantar Fasciitis
This type is normally experienced due to an injury or overuse. Acute plantar fasciitis is characterized by severe, instant pain in the heel or arch. It commonly affects people who perform routine physical activities, such as athletes or people who work on their feet all day.
Chronic Plantar Fasciitis
Unlike acute plantar fasciitis, this type tends to come on slowly and is marked by constant pain and inflammation in the joint area. It can be caused due to excessive stretching of the plantar fascia. It can also be caused by standing for long hours, walking, running, or wearing poor-fitting shoes. Managing this pain may require consistent care and lifestyle changes.
Traumatic Plantar Fasciitis
This condition is caused by acute injury in the foot arch due to a fall, twist, or overstretching. It can cause tenderness and may be associated with joint swelling. Essential oils and rehabilitation exercises can be used to encourage healing.
Recurrent Plantar Fasciitis:
Some people may experience recurrent plantar fasciitis after it has been treated before due to causes such as ill-fitting shoes or overuse of the inflamed tissue. Preventive measures include stretching from time to time and supportive footwear.
Various Causes of Plantar Fasciitis
Several factors can lead to plantar fasciitis. For example, the plantar fascia can be strained by overuse, repetitive motion, or any activity that puts partial or repeated stress on the tissue. Continuous standing or walking also affects your stress points and can contribute to the condition. It is made worse by improper shoes, shoes that bring no support to the arches, or shoes that lack enough cushioning. Additionally, weight gain puts pressure on the feet and worsens the risk. Fortunately, these causes of plantar fasciitis are usually preventable.
Signs and Symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis typically arises with sharp heel pain, especially during the first steps in the morning or after rest. Other symptoms include pain in the arch or heel. This discomfort can become further aggravated by walking barefoot and may lead to swelling of the foot area. Symptoms of plantar fasciitis often intensify after prolonged activity.
People Who Are at Risk of Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis is common across most age groups, but the most cases are seen between the ages of 40 and 60. People of this age group develop this condition as a result of wear and tear. Additionally, runners are at higher risk of this condition, as they spend most of their time straining the foot muscles more than any other part of the body. Prolonged standing or walking can also lead to foot fasciitis symptoms, as well as having flat arches.
How is plantar fasciitis diagnosed?
Plantar fasciitis can be diagnosed by scheduling an appointment with your health care provider. They may use thumb pressure on the foot to determine pain points and recommend tests to rule out any other issues. Complications of untreated plantar fasciitis could include chronic pain or changes in your gait. Diagnosis and treatment of plantar fasciitis early is the best solution to avoid worsening of plantar fasciitis.
Treatments for Plantar Fasciitis
Massage
Some oils can assist in the reduction of inflammation and stress in the affected tissue. Research shows that a combination of peppermint, eucalyptus, clove, and vanilla applied twice daily reduced pain after 10 days. These oils are gentle and can often be combined with other pain relief approaches, such as heat therapy. Moreover, essential oils can address both physical and mental stress. A gentle rubbing of the arch and the heel with different essential oils increases the blood flow and releases tension.
Nonsurgical Options
Orthotics, night splints, and supportive shoes are conservative approaches to consider for mild symptoms. These tools relieve stress on the plantar fascia and therefore promote early healing.
Stretching Exercises
Routine exercises such as calf stretches or toe curls can improve strength and flexibility, thereby reducing your risk of strain. Stretching can be both a prevention tactic as well as a rehabilitative tool.
Surgery
In cases of severe plantar fasciitis, surgical augmentation and minimization of the foot structure may be required. Surgery is the last option and is reserved for cases that haven’t responded to other treatments, and is accompanied by a long course of rehabilitation.
Role of LaCura Essential Oils in Managing Plantar Fasciitis
LaCura essential oils are entirely natural and can be an effective tool in helping to manage mild discomfort, such as that experienced in many cases of plantar fasciitis. In addition, they can help to reduce stress, which further aids in pain relief. These oils strengthen the healing process within the body and also decrease inflammation. They are especially effective in helping to ease plantar fasciitis and any other related discomfort in the body.
The best oils for relieving pain and stress
Psoriasis Relief
Although it’s designed to relieve symptoms of psoriasis, LaCura’s Psoriasis oil can help calm inflamed skin and minimize pain experienced in other conditions, such as plantar fasciitis. It is designed to sustain moisture and encourage skin repair.
LaCura 4U
This versatile oil combination contributes to good health. It is suitable for minimizing body aches and inflammation, and is the best way to treat plantar fasciitis naturally.
LaCura Eucalyptus:
LaCura Eucalyptus oil is another powerful tool for addressing inflammation.
Taking the First Step Toward Pain-Free Living
Plantar fasciitis can affect your daily life if not treated promptly. Having an understanding of its causes, symptoms, and treatment options empowers you to take action. Changing your lifestyle and using LaCura essential oils will help reduce pain and facilitate the healing process. With a comprehensive and timely approach, you can start on the journey towards healing to pursue your favorite activities once again.
FAQs
What can happen if plantar fasciitis is left untreated?
Plantar fasciitis can cause chronic pain while walking, and many others complications. Treatment should be performed as early as possible to avoid these potentially frustrating symptoms.
What medication can be taken for plantar fasciitis pain?
For most people, discomfort can be eased using ordinary analgesics. There are also essential oils for relieving body aches, such as those by LaCura.
