Many medical conditions are caused by lack of exercise. When the most someone does is reach for the remote control a trip to the doctor’s is usually the end result.
But there are some conditions where the root cause is exercise or to be more precise too much of it, exercising in the wrong way or wearing the wrong clothing or footwear.
Such a condition is plantar fasciitis.
So what is fasciitis and what can we do about it? Fasciitis is an inflammation of the fascia which is the connective tissue surrounding our muscles, blood vessels and nerves. Plantar fasciitis – the most common form of the condition – is most commonly felt as a stabbing pain in the bottom of your foot near the heel.
If you experience this pain after taking your first few steps of the day after getting up this may be what’s wrong. It can also be caused by excessive standing. If it doesn’t go away in a day or so it’s time to see a doctor before things potentially get worse.
Trying to exercise by “walking it off” may actually worsen the condition leading to anxiety and further complications. Rest is usually better but fasciitis treatment with a competent physiotherapist may be the answer.
Few things are more important to our well-being than our mobility and fasciitis can cause a severe amount of pain and stress and have a dramatic impact on other areas of our lives. Leaving it in the hope of improvement is not the way forward.
You need to take that first step to a medical professional, if you’ll pardon the pun!
So what causes this condition? Micro-tears can occur in the fascia due to overuse or repetitive strain. It can heal by itself but only over several months by which time the condition has often worsened and not improved.
For some people their foot mechanics or flat-footedness can put additional strain on the fascia. In this case it may be necessary for a physiotherapist to conduct flat foot treatment regularly to avoid further complications.
But one of the most common reasons for this debilitating condition is poor footwear. When your footwear is causing foot or ankle pain it is time to invest in something that is more supportive and comfortable. Some foods high in sugar and trans fat that are popular in Thailand can also lead to the condition developing.
A highly trained physiotherapist can help reduce pain and the headaches that follow. Hands-on stretching can improve mobilisation by targeting the area that is causing the discomfort.
Again, it can’t be stressed enough that the answer to this problem is not taking a walk or heaven forbid a run. That’s a recipe for disaster.
A properly trained physiotherapist can help you get back on your feet, literally!
In conclusion, do not ignore foot pain or hope that it will go away after a few days. Seek professional help today.