If you’ve been diagnosed with plantar fasciitis, your doctor will help you recover with several conservative treatments. Most will prescribe pain killers such as ibuprofen to decrease inflammation and ease the pain associated with the problem. Aside from taking medicine, there are numerous other ways to reduce the pain of plantar fasciitis. This article will focus on some great lifestyle and home remedies to combat the issue.
Orthotic Footwear
Although taking pain killers and other anti-inflammatory’s is good for dealing with plantar fasciitis, it isn’t the only solution. Many doctors now prescribe off the shelf or custom-made orthotics for their patients. One of the most popular brands being Zullaz footwear, a company based out of Australia.
Orthotics are highly beneficial to anyone suffering with plantar fasciitis, they provide added comfort and they help to distribute pressure more evenly across each foot. Orthotic footwear provides three key functions when dealing with plantar fasciitis:
- Support
- Pain Relief
- Improved blood circulation
They are corrective devices that provide better support to your feet, maximising the function of your lower extremities. They don’t just help relieve pain in your feet, they can also release pain in your lower back, hips and knees. You can now buy from a wide range of orthotic shoes these days, from slippers to sandals to sports trainers.
Healthy Weight
Another way to deal with plantar fasciitis is to maintain a healthy weight, the more excess weight you are carrying, the more pressure you put on your skeletal and muscular systems. Carrying additional weight puts stress on your condition, making it more painful and more difficult to deal with. To reduce the symptoms and manage the pain, monitor your body weight and find out a healthy BMI for your specific physique.
Change Your Activity
If you are a physically active individual who likes to take part in sports, you don’t have to stop playing or enjoying your sport just because you suffer from plantar fasciitis. Many people make the mistake of giving up, exercise is highly beneficial and plantar fasciitis shouldn’t stop you from getting your daily workout. Instead of walking or jogging, why not try something more low impact such as swimming, cycling or boxing.
Stretching
Another great way to relieve the pain of plantar fasciitis is to regularly stretch all of the muscles surrounding your foot. This should include your calf and foot muscles. Write down a list of stretches and stick to your weekly routine.
Apply Ice
After a hard day’s work or gym routine, apply ice to the affected area to reduce inflammation. You can also try ice massage using a frozen paper cup, roll it over your calf and foot for about 10 minutes, 3 or 4 times a day.
There are many ways to manage plantar fasciitis, apart from taking medication, you can use a variety of home remedies to help ease the pain and treat your problem. One of the most important things is to purchase a pair of orthotic shoes, they support your feet, reduce pain and improve blood circulation to the affected area.