Yes that is what some of my clients will tell me when they first come in with Plantar Fasciitis. But are they just being a bit soft? Well no not entirely as it can feel like a very strong pain that can be accompanied with a ripping sensation in the bottom of the foot.
So what is the Plantar Fasciitis?
So what is it? Well the definition by Wikipedia is as follows “Plantar fasciitis is a common painful disorder affecting the heel and underside of the foot. It is a disorder of the insertion site of ligament on the bone and is characterized by scarring, inflammation, or structural breakdown of the foot’s plantar fascia.” This is a very accurate description. However despite this very accurate description being readily available there are two keys problems that need to be highlighted with this condition.
Sometimes Over Diagnosed
Firstly it is a condition that is often over diagnosed. As you will be able to see from the definition by Wikipedia the key point is that it is at the insertion of the ligament/fascia onto the heel bone. This is typically on the medial (inside) aspect of the very bottom front part of the heel bone. However many people describe pain on the inside of the arch or the middle of the foot and these are both conditions that are very different to plantar fasciitis. Therefore if you have pain on the bottom of your foot and have been diagnosed with plantar fasciitis then check the location before embarking on the (sometimes) troublesome process of recovery.
How to Deal with Plantar Fasciitis?
Secondly in our profession there is a lot of focus on how to deal with the symptoms of the condition or the actual pathology. In simple terms to you that means getting rid of the pain. However Plantar Fasciitis is one of the most important conditions for us to understand that getting rid of the cause is far more important than worrying about the pain itself. Things that can cause this condition include stiff ankles, over-pronation of the foot, poor running technique and poor stability. So instead of lots of massage and ultrasound make sure that your practitioner looks at the BIG picture. Good luck.