Plantar Fasciitis 

Oh, my painful heel! Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common reasons someone visits a Podiatrist. The Plantar is the foot’s bottom surface, and the Fascia is a thick tendonous band that extends from the ball of the foot to the heel. Symptoms are most commonly pain in the heel where it inserts onto the heel bone. The symptoms are due to acute inflammation from an injury. Often it hurts worse when first standing in the morning and after periods of rest.

Try these natural tools that relieve inflammation and decrease pain:

• Provide arch support . Custom is the best, but OTC will do. You want it to be reasonably firm, so it doesn’t collapse with body weight. Supporting the fascia will allow it to heal. Arches are a better option then heel cups or cushions.
• Epsom Salt Soaks: Apply Epsom salt and warm water and soak for 20 minutes daily.
• Ice is a natural anti-inflammatory and anesthetic. Apply for 20 minutes when pain is acute.
• Essential Oils : Deep Blue, Copaiba, Frankincense. I suggest starting with deep blue three times a day. Adding the others if needed
• Stretching: gently, pulling the toes down and hold at least 2 minutes. Before getting out of bed is best.
• Arch band. It can be applied daily in combination with arch support.
• For severe cases, I recommend night splints.