Heel pain, medically termed plantar fasciitis, is a common and frustrating injury for many runners. It accounts for up to 10% of all running injuries and results from overstressing the band of tissue that connects the heel bone to the toes. If you suffer from plantar fasciitis, you probably experience sharp pain in your heel not only after running, but also with the first steps in the morning or after long periods of sitting or being on your feet.
? The most common causes of plantar fasciitis in runners include:
? Sudden increases in mileage or training intensity
? Wearing running shoes that do not provide enough support or shock absorption.
? Running on inconsistent surfaces
? Tight hamstring and calf muscles
? High or low arches
If you are an avid runner, the last thing that you want to hear from the doctor is "stop running." However, running through heel pain often lengthens the recovery time and usually makes the condition worse. Studies show that you need to address the problem immediately, as the longer you wait to treat plantar fasciitis, the harder it is to resolve.
The good news is that you may not have to completely stop running or exercising to treat your heel pain. Many people can adopt a program that sports medicine doctors call "relative rest." This means cross training and reducing your running mileage to the point where you do not feel pain when you run. A good idea for cross training is to try swimming or running in a pool to maintain fitness but reduce the amount of stress put on your feet. Biking is another good option. When you run, you can reduce the stress on your feet by alternating between running and walking. You can increase your mileage slowly over time, but stop running at any time if you feel pain in your heel.
In addition to "relative rest," you need to take special care of your feet at home to treat plantar fasciitis. If you take care of yourself, the pain will usually go away. The May 2004 New England Journal of Medicine reported that plantar fasciitis symptoms will resolve in more than 80 percent of people within 12 months. It recommends that doctors treat plantar fasciitis patients with "patient-directed, low-risk, minimal-cost interventions" such as stretching and using arch supports.
"The first steps to relieving heel pain can be as simple as stretching your foot before getting out of bed in the morning, icing your foot regularly and wearing proper footwear," says Jeffrey S. Peterson, M.A., M.D, Northern California Institute of Sports Medicine and advisor to Heeling Solutions, a company dedicated to helping people resolve heel pain. "Many people also require additional steps such as using orthotics in their shoes or wearing a supportive foot device at night called a night splint."
How do you know if you have plantar fasciitis? Only a licensed medical professional can confirm your diagnosis. Seek out a practitioner who specializes in conditions of the foot and ankle, such as a podiatrist or orthopedist. You can also check out www.heelingsolutions.com for more information. The company sells a video that has a special section for runners and comprehensive information about the condition and recommended treatments.
Daniel Marein-Efron is a former plantar fasciitis sufferer and President of Heeling Solutions LLC http://www.heelingsolutions.com . Mr. Marein-Efron has been involved with a variety of entrepreneurial businesses through his consulting company DMEX Consulting LLC.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|


We have all talked a lot about the problems in... Read More
Chemical dependency recovery provides with positive changes in reactions and... Read More
Propulsid was a popular nighttime heartburn drug before it was... Read More
Many eye doctors believed until recently that if a child's... Read More
We've all seen patients who were far beyond the reach... Read More
This is a true story.Yesterday, I picked up a new... Read More
When a patient has a serious illness and there is... Read More
Vioxx, Celebrex, and Bextra: An editorial regarding dangerous drugsGenerally my... Read More
There is the underlying assumption that modernity translates into better... Read More
Molluscum contagiosum treatment is certainly possible with the correct treatment... Read More
Many researchers believe that addiction is a behavior that can... Read More
1. Seeing a doctor who's not board-certified or a doctor... Read More
The police arrive at the accident scene promptly. A driver... Read More
Remember the last time you stubbed your toe? OUCH! It's... Read More
One of the least appreciated cost-savers in medical treatment is... Read More
Medical Billing PDAOne of the first things I notice about... Read More
The first step to over comming any addiction is to... Read More
Overview Melatonin is a natural hormone, which is produced and... Read More
There are five basic types of drugstore laxatives you should... Read More
Today in the United States, there are hundreds of thousands... Read More
There is a large amount of talk lately in regard... Read More
Pill Proof LLC introduces the first, easy to use medication... Read More
Every year about this time doctors around the world are... Read More
Cold-Eeze is a homeopathic solution to the common cold. It... Read More
Medical Care:Treatment options depend on the stage of ingrown toenails,... Read More
1. Online Canadian pharmacies offer overall best prices on Canadian... Read More
Domestic violence is not over when the victim is safe... Read More
It is the reality of the 21st century medical practice... Read More
Internet Pharmacies are convenient and quick, but some websites selling... Read More
How many of us have taken aspirin or a similar... Read More
Warning: This article is for information only and can not... Read More
Sjogren's syndrome is an autoimmune disorder ? a disorder in... Read More
Personal injury attorneys representing clients who have allegedly been harmed... Read More


New antidepressant development, until fairly recently, was at best a... Read More
In September, 2004, pharmaceutical giant Merck voluntarily withdrew its painkilling... Read More
How does a mind contemplate itself? That's a philosophical question... Read More
1. Seeing a doctor who's not board-certified or a doctor... Read More
Lunesta may be the only sleeping pill that is FDA... Read More
Zoloft is an SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor); a prescription... Read More
Warning: This article is for information only and can not... Read More
No person likes to feel housebound and dependent on others.... Read More
Checklist of Treatments for Alzheimer's DiseasePart 3 of 83. Three... Read More
Quality, dependable Medical Equipment is an important component of every... Read More
A generic drug can be defined as an identical, or... Read More
You are going to find this incredible and I assure... Read More
The market for painkillers is huge. People don't like pain... Read More
Chinese Medicine, over 2000 years old, is an ancient form... Read More
The physicians conundrum: Everywhere, physicians are contemplating or engaged in... Read More
There is a huge concern in the medical industry that... Read More
When an unconscious patient arrives in the ED, every hospital... Read More
Save Up to 93% by Asking for a Generic -... Read More
Electric wheelchairs mobility for virtually any type of disability.Innovations have... Read More
Intravenous Chelation was the most common practice until a few... Read More
The vaccine industry insists that their vaccines against the flu... Read More
What's Insomnia?Identifying insomnia is a little like the old joke... Read More
The treatment of high blood pressure is one of the... Read More
Neck pain afflicts many people at some point in their... Read More
Many researchers believe that addiction is a behavior that can... Read More
The recent withdrawals of the prescription medications Vioxx and Bextra... Read More
Pill Proof LLC introduces the first, easy to use medication... Read More
Since 1982 Accutane has been a reliable, if not controversial,... Read More
Most writers suffer from a lack of discipline. The urge... Read More
"As an arthritis specialist, one area that I see people... Read More
For many years since medicine has been established as an... Read More
If your back aches when you're loading groceries in the... Read More
For years, it's been known that regular daily exercise is... Read More
Medicine |