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Plantar fasciitis? Blame the shoes!
by Dr. Nazanin Firooz
Plantar fasciitis: The aching feet
What is plantar fasciitis?
Plantar fascia is the thick, fibrous tissue that runs along the arch of the foot, from the heel to the toes. This tissue can become inflamed from overuse and other mechanical injuries. The pain is usually sharp, severe, and worse in the morning. People often describe the pain onset as “the minute I step off the bed”.
Apparently there has been a recent epidemic of plantar fasciitis among Americans. Experts believe the culprit is “flimsy shoes that don’t support the arch”- like flat shoes, flip-flops, and old shoes that have lost their cushioning.
What can you do?
- Change your shoes! Consider shoes with better arch support. If you exercise often, change your exercise shoes every 4-6 months.
- Insoles- to add extra arch support. You can get these either from a drugstore (like Dr. Scholl’s shoe inserts) or custom-made by your doctor
- NSAIDs- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like advil, ibuprofen, or aleve
- Stretching- stand against a wall and stretch out the affected foot every morning
- Shock-wave therapy- this is the use of acoustic shock waves in the affected areas to decrease inflammation
- Corticosteroid injections by your rheumatologist or podiatrist
- Surgery
Personally, I would start with more foot-friendly shoes!
http://www.latimes.com/health/la-he-feet-20130309,0,5785167.story
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