Plantar Fasciitis: What can you do to prevent it?

Muhammad Jasim PT, DPT, OCS, CSCS

tar fasciitis is a common condition that causes heel pain, especially in the morning or after prolonged standing or walking. Physical therapy can be an effective treatment for plantar fasciitis. Here are some of the physical therapy interventions that can be used to treat plantar fasciitis:

1. Stretching exercises: Tight calf muscles can contribute to plantar fasciitis. A physical therapist can teach you stretching exercises to help lengthen your calf muscles and reduce tension on your plantar fascia.

2. Strengthening exercises: Weakness in the foot and ankle muscles can also contribute to plantar fasciitis. A physical therapist can teach you exercises to strengthen these muscles and improve your foot and ankle stability.

3. Manual therapy: Soft tissue mobilization and massage can help reduce tension in the plantar fascia and surrounding muscles, which can help alleviate pain and improve mobility.

4. Orthotics: A physical therapist can recommend appropriate footwear and orthotics to help support your feet and reduce stress on the plantar fascia.

5. Taping and strapping: Taping or strapping can provide additional support to the foot and reduce stress on the plantar fascia.

6. Education and self-management: A physical therapist can provide education on proper footwear, activity modification, and self-management strategies to help prevent recurrence of plantar fasciitis.

It is important to consult with a licensed physical therapist who can develop an individualized treatment plan based on your specific needs and goals.