Home Treatments for Plantar Fasciitis

Heel tenderness and sharp, stabbing pain can pretty much bring your life to a screeching halt. We all want to be able to walk … and run … and jump … and stand without discomfort! 

Would you be surprised to know that 2 million people suffer with the chronic foot pain that’s caused by plantar fasciitis? This is a condition where the plantar fascia — a band of supportive tissue that offers support to your arch and extends from your heel to your toes — becomes excessively stretched and sustains tissue tears.

The excellent podiatry team at Premier Foot & Ankle isn’t only invested in providing the most advanced medical care to plantar fasciitis sufferers. They see their patients as partners in care and offer plenty of treatment approaches you can do at home. 

Diverse services, provided from our nine Texas locations, are all geared toward easing your symptoms and getting you back into the full swing of life, no matter what condition you’re living with. 

Problems caused by plantar fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is a condition that can affect your quality of life tremendously, even if some people wonder why all this attention is focused on heel pain. Plantar fasciitis sufferers know, however, that this isn’t just mild or intermittent discomfort, and more symptoms typically emerge, including:

• Swelling
• Pain that worsens when you become active again after resting
• Stiff calves
• Heel tingling and burning
• Sharp pain and throbbing when standing or walking for longer periods, or after exercise

Certain injuries, obesity, problems walking, particular activities, and having flat feet are all risk factors for plantar fasciitis. If any of these apply to you, or if you’ve already been diagnosed, there is hope because treatment options do exist.

A blend of in-office and at-home care can offer the best relief 

When you come to Premier Foot & Ankle to address plantar fasciitis pain or you’re newly diagnosed, rest assured that we offer you the latest treatments and provide education on things you can do at home that can make a real difference. 

Your podiatrist may recommend physical therapy, devices like orthotics or a brace, or noninvasive treatments that employ tools like regenerative medicine methods or radiofrequency (RF) therapy. 

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy harnesses your body’s own healing powers to relieve your plantar fasciitis symptoms, while in-office PodiaTherm™ therapy uses RF waves to render certain nerves unable to transmit pain. 

Extracorporeal pulse activation treatment, or EPAT®, therapy sends pressure waves to your area of pain, which boosts healing and tissue regeneration. Multiwave locked system (MLS) laser therapy is a treatment that addresses plantar fasciitis swelling, hastens your cell turnover, and reduces your condition-related scarring.

Even though these are the latest in proven treatments for plantar fasciitis, there are still quite a few things you can do at home that may minimize or even rid you of symptoms. These include:

• Taking anti-inflammatory medications
• Ice therapy
• Doctor-approved stretches and exercises
• Losing weight or maintaining a healthy weight
• Choosing footwear that offers proper support and is activity-specific
• Foot massage
• Rest

Some of these home treatments may become rituals you really look forward to, for relaxation’s sake as much as treating your plantar fasciitis symptoms. 

Our talented and caring podiatrists at Premier Foot & Ankle want to restore the quality of life you’ve been robbed of by plantar fasciitis. To schedule a consultation, call the office that’s most convenient to you or book an appointment online today.