The plantar fascia is a tough, fibrous band of connective tissue that runs from the heel bone to the ball of the foot. The plantar fascia plays an critical part in the normal foot mechanics during running, jumping and walking.

This results in inflammation, pain in the heel, and possible visible bruising at the heel bone attachment. The pain is generally felt in the bottom of the heel, normally on the interior (inside) of the heel, but may also come about in the arch of the foot itself or further forward closer to the toes of the foot.

Not infrequently plantar fasciitis results in the development of a heel spur (calcaneus) where the plantar fascia inserts into the heel bone. Although very painful, the heel spur is not itself the cause of the pain, instead the pain is caused by the inflammation of the plantar fascia.

Plantar fasciitis is a troublesome and degenerative condition. At its most extreme, the worst cases of plantar fasciitis can cause ruptures in the ligament.

Plantar Fasciitis Facts:

More than 2.5 million new cases of plantar fasciitis are seen each year.

Fifty per cent. of plantar fasciitis patients develop heel spurs.

Close To 90 per cent. of women and 40 per cent. of men suffering from plantar fasciitis carry excess body weight.

Those most in danger of plantar fasciitis are athletes, people who have active jobs and those over 40 years old.

If left unresolved, plantar fasciitis may become a chronic condition.

Early diagnosing and a structured treatment system are fundamental for curing plantar fasciitis. If treatment is held up or deficient in the early stages of the condition, the condition can take six to eighteen months or more to be fully healed. Nevertheless by following a properly structured treatment system and mixing some of the individual treatment methods available, thankfully in most reported cases, non-invasive treatment results in a full recovery. Only in the worst cases is invasive plantar fasciitis surgery needed.

It may take many months for symptoms to vanish and the plantar fascia to be completely healed. Remember that a torn ligament (even only very tiny tears) only happens following persistent and long-term tension and to reverse this, lengthy rest and treatment is necessary. Further, the longer the condition has existed and the worse the pain, the longer the treatment will be required for.

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