Plantar Fasciitis and Being Overweight
Jun 9th, 2010 by admin
Being overweight is commonly listed as a risk factor for a number of medical conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. Now, add to the list a condition called plantar fasciitis, a painful type of injury to the ligaments in the foot. Surveys have shown that the condition occurs in two million Americans each year and 10 percent of the American populations over a lifetime. If you feel pain on the underside of your heel, especially when you take your first few steps out of bed, then you may be experiencing plantar fasciitis.
The problem starts in the plantar fascia, which is the thick flat band of tissue that connects your heel bone to your toes. It is a ligament that holds up the bones on the bottom of the foot. When the plantar fascia is strained from bearing too much weight, it can become weak, swollen, and inflamed. Repeated strain can even cause the ligament to tear. This causes pain in the heels when walking. Usually the pain is worst after getting out of bed or sitting for a long period of time. Some walking will generally make the pain dissipate, but the heels will hurt again later if you are on your feet for an extended period of time.
Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common types of orthopedic complaints, and there several therapies available. Shoe inserts and specific types of calf stretches are two options. Perhaps, the easiest way to treat your heel pain, however, is to change your shoes. Plantar fasciitis shoes will have a soft heel and significant arch. New Balance has a great line of shoes specifically for the treatment of plantar fasciitis that fit these qualifications. And having plantar fasciitis does not mean you should necessarily stay off of your feet for the ligaments to heal. With a good pair of New Balance running shoes, you can strengthen the plantar fascia ligament and lose weight at the same time to relieve your symptoms. Look also at New Balance’s Aravon Line for comfortable dress shoes for work or special occasions. Having foot pain does not confine you to wearing tennis shoes all of the time – go live your life!
