Ever felt a sharp pain in your heel during a workout? The likely culprit is plantar fasciitis – a common and painful condition that impacts the plantar fascia. In this article, we are going to discuss plantar fasciitis – its causes, signs, and treatment options, with a special bent towards physical therapy.
Explaining Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis is a painful condition of the foot in which the plantar fascia (a strong band of tissue running from the toes to the heel) becomes inflamed. There are several factors that can lead to the development of plantar fasciitis, including: acute injury, overuse injury, and normal wear and tear as the body breaks down over time.
Below are a few of the more common signs and symptoms of plantar fasciitis:
- Pain in the foot or heel (typically described as sharp pain)
- Swelling and/or tenderness in the area
- Decreased range-of-motion and limping
The severity of these symptoms can vary widely based on the extend of the fasciitis, as well as the patient’s age and medical history. In any case, it’s always a good idea to address and treat the condition sooner rather than later.
How Physical Therapy can Help
Treating plantar fasciitis and its associated symptoms can take many forms, from simple shoe inserts, to injections, to physical therapy, to surgery. Many patients with plantar fasciitis elect for more conservative treatment methods first, and reserving surgery as a last resort. Physical therapy is a very common treatment option for patients with plantar fasciitis. Oftentimes, a strategic physical rehabilitation program can target the issues underlying to condition and help the patient reduce pain and rebuild functionality. Physical therapy is also a recommended post-operative course for patients who do elect to have plantar fasciitis surgery.
Minneapolis Foot Physical Therapists
OrthoRehab Specialists provides physical therapy care to patients in Minneapolis / St. Paul and the surrounding Twin Cities metro. Our rehabilitation specialists have over twenty-five years of experience and have standing connections with over 600 providers who refer their patients to us for their physical therapy needs. In addition, we offer direct access to physical therapy in Minnesota. Essentially that means you don’t need a prescription to set up an appointment with one of our therapists. If you are experiencing foot pain from plantar fasciitis, contact our physical therapy specialists today at our Edina or Minneapolis clinics to set up your very own appointment.