How Do I Know If I Have Plantar Fasciitis?
Sep 15th, 2010 by admin
If you have developed heel pain over the last few weeks, you may be asking yourself how do I know if I have plantar fasciitis, the common foot condition caused by inflammation of the tissue running along the bottom of the foot.
Heel pain that develops on a gradual basis and is especially sharp and hurtful first thing in the morning upon awakening are two surefire indications that you probably have developed plantar fasciitis. Usually plantar fasciitis only develops in one foot rather than both feet at the same time, although it can develop in both feet simultaneously. Sharp pain in the affected foot can be triggered by standing for long periods of time, after being seated for long periods of time, or immediately after being immobile for seven or eight hours due to sleep. If it feels like you have a sharp stick jabbing into your heel that feels at its worst first thing in the morning, you most likely have plantar fasciitis.
Symptoms of plantar fasciitis are most likely to develop in women between the ages of 40 and 60 and can be caused by certain activities such as long distance running, ballet and aerobic dancing, all of which tend to stress the tissues located on the bottom of the foot and attached to the heel. Individuals who are obese and those who are either flat footed or have a high arch have a greater tendency to develop plantar fasciitis.
Because wearing shoes that lack proper arch support can aggravate the symptoms of plantar fasciitis, wearing supportive footwear can go a long way in easing painful heels and preventing future episodes. New Balance Shoes offers a wide range of walking, running and training shoes that feature the proper amount of arch support for both men and women in order to provide motion control as well as high stability for the foot whether walking, running or involved in a variety of physical activities.
If you suspect you have plantar fasciitis, schedule an examination by a foot doctor who will examine your foot, evaluate your walking and standing patterns, as well as take an X-ray to rule out fractures or other disorders which may be causing heel pain.
