Plantar Fasciitis

Health Topic: Plantar Fasciitis 

What is it?: The plantar fascia is a thick band of connective tissue, a continuation of the calf muscles, that helps to form the arch of your foot and supports you while you walk. 

Symptoms: You may experience stabbing pain in the sole of your foot, or around your heel, first thing in the morning. You may feel worse after exercising or get aggravated from standing too long. 

Causes and Risk Factors: Running and bouncing activities can impact the plantar fascia, abnormalities in the foot and arch, standing for long and extended periods of time. 

Differential Diagnosis: Lateral plantar nerve pain innervates the plantar fascia and the periosteum of the calcaneus, meaning it could be quite painful when irritated. The pain is often worse during prolonged activity. People may also be unable to abduct the 5th metatarsal. 

Diagnosis and Treatment: It is important to get a thorough diagnosis of your heel and foot pain. Too often, heel pain is caused by the lateral plantar nerve irritation. 

Tips from an Osteopathic Perspective: avoid walking barefoot, assess your common shoe wear to make sure it’s supportive for your specific foot, ease into new activities slowly, do fascial work in the lower leg and foot regions, consider acupuncture for nerve pain, legs up against wall for ten minutes 

THE TAKE AWAY:

This common condition can be debilitating in your training and exercise routine. It’s very often that your heal pain diagnosis of Plantar Fasciitis is misdiagnosed, so don’t wait too long before seeking another opinion.

Contact Nicole Settimi, DOMP, RMT

www.onebodywellness.ca

[e-mail]

Follow us on instagram @one.body.wellness for more health and wellness information and start a conversation with Nicole! 

If you have a specific health concern you’d like me to address on my podcast, or you’d like to be a guest, email me.

__

Nicole Settimi is a solo mom, an entrepreneur, manual osteopath and registered massage therapist. She built a successful health clinic in Ottawa, Ontario’s downtown core, where she provided healthcare services and a gentle escape from the stressors of daily life. While on maternity leave with her daughter, Nicole has decided to share her knowledge and clinical experience with the podcast world to help empower others to develop a strong sense of awareness and respect within their one body. 

Music: Spark Of Inspiration by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com