Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis can make you worry about getting out of bed each day, but there are ways to resolve this common heel pain. At Perfect Motion Sports Therapy in Acton, Massachusetts, Kevin McGovern, PT, CSCS, takes a personalized approach to help you get back on your feet and free you from daily mobility challenges. To see if you can benefit from physical therapy for plantar fasciitis, call the office or use the online booking tool to schedule an appointment today.

What is plantar fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is among the most common causes of heel pain. To understand the condition, it helps to visualize the structures within your foot. 

Your toes are connected to your heel with a thick band of tough connective tissue called the plantar fascia. This tissue provides support to the entire foot and also helps absorb shock when you walk, jump, or run. 

Plantar fasciitis develops due to inflammation in your plantar fascia. Repeated stress can create small tears in the tissue. Because it doesn’t receive significant blood flow, healing can be challenging, which might be why plantar fasciitis doesn’t often resolve on its own. 

What are the signs of plantar fasciitis?

The primary indication of plantar fasciitis is a stabbing pain in the bottom of your foot near your heel. This pain usually feels the most intense when you first try to stand upon waking up, or after prolonged periods of sitting. 

Additional signs of plantar fasciitis include:

• Swelling in your heel
• Pain in the arch of your foot
• Tight Achilles tendon
• Pain during times of rest

If you experience these changes, therapeutic treatments at Perfect Motion Sports Therapy may be able to help.

What kinds of treatments can help with plantar fasciitis?

Many people find relief by wearing a night splint during sleep. This special boot keeps your foot in a position that stretches your plantar fascia and Achilles tendon slightly throughout the night. 

Physical therapy offers relief by first determining the cause of your condition. An assessment of your gait looks for movement issues that might play a role in your plantar fasciitis.

Dr. McGovern creates a customized physical therapy program to strengthen the muscles in your feet and lower legs. This enhances stability as you go through your daily routine, taking pressure off of your plantar fascia and preventing future injury. 

Changing your footwear may also help, and periodic icing can be effective. In addition to going through your personalized exercises at Perfect Motion Sports Therapy, you’ll learn how to do exercises at home to keep progressing toward pain-free movement. 

If you need help with heel pain caused by plantar fasciitis, contact Perfect Motion Sports Therapy online or by phone today.