Running With Plantar Fasciitis As A Running Companion

If you are a runner, you do everything you can to take care of your feet. Without your feet, you can't do what you love. However, since you are running, you do run into problems. One of those is plantar fasciitis, which is also sometimes known as runner's heel. If you have started noticing that you have significant foot pain, you may have this problem, and should go see a doctor. However, there are things that you can do at home to help manage the problem and help you feel better. 

Plantar Fasciitis 

Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of the plantar fascia. The fascia is a thick piece of connective tissue that runs from your heel, up through your arch, and connects at the base of your toes. Connective tissue may look like a ligament, but it is not very elastic, so doesn't have a lot of stretch. Plantar fasciitis generally shows up as a deep pain in your heel and up into your arch. You will generally notice that the pain is worse in the morning when you are just walking around after getting up out of bed, or if you start running again after taking a few days' break. Another thing you may notice is that you may feel a lot of pain if you stretch your toes back toward your shin. If your Achilles tendon is tight, you may notice that the pain is even worse. 

Controlling Plantar Fasciitis

You want to get into see a doctor about it because the longer the problem lasts, the harder it is to get rid of it. Your doctor may send you to PT to help work out the problems, as well as prescribe you some anti-inflammatories to help bring down the inflammation. There are things that you can do that can help you control and manage the problem. 

Tennis Balls

One thing you can do is get a can of tennis balls. Take one of the balls, put it on the floor, and roll it around under your foot. The pressure of the tennis ball will help to massage the fascia and help to bring down the inflammation. You can also ice it the same way, using a frozen water bottle instead of a tennis ball. 

Check Your Shoes

Since the plantar fascia runs along your arch, if it doesn't have enough support, it can cause plantar fasciitis. Check all your shoes to make sure you have plenty of arch support, you can add inserts if you need to. You should also have shoes that you can wear around your house that have arch support because you should probably avoid going barefoot when you are seeing symptoms. 

Limit Mileage Changes

While you may have the urge to get your mileage up as quickly as possible, overuse can cause plantar fasciitis. You should only gradually increase your mileage. If you start to feel any pain, back your mileage back down.

If you love to run, you don't want to have anything stop you. If you manage your plantar fasciitis well, you can keep running. For more information, contact offices like Advanced Foot Clinic.