Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of this connective tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot, the plantar fascia. Plantar fasciitis is caused by excessive wear and tear on the fascia. Every time your foot strikes the ground your plantar fascia is stretched, when your heel lifts off the ground your plantar fascia experiences tension. Any extra tension coming from excessive training can result inoverstretching, inflammation and/or micro-tearing of the fascia at your heel, the weakest point.

The extra tension placed on the plantar fascia can be a results of many things such as overuse or overloading during sports, a shortened fascia or other improper foot structures, weakened tissues that occurs with age, non-supportive and uncomfortable footware, and carrying extra weight.

Generally, plantar fasciitis affects athletes and people over 40 years of age. The stabbing pain in the morning, which gradually gets better throughout the day as the fascia stretches out, will eventually affect your ability to work and be active. Other symptoms include possible bruising, redness, warmth and puffiness due to the inflammation.

The inflammation of the plantar fascia can instigate heel spurs around the attachment to the heel, where the most tension and irritation is experienced. Bone spurs are calcium deposits that produce bony, hook-shaped projections in the soft tissue on the underside of your heel bone. They can causetenderness when walking, however many people experience no pain with them. Not all people with plantar fasciitis experience heel spurs, nor do all people who have heel spurs experience plantar fasciitis.

Treatments for plantar fasciitis are aimed at reducing inflammation, pain, increasing the fascia’s range of motion, and speeding recovery time. A speedy and effective recovery should be your highest priority, not only so you can return to a high level of performance, but also because prolonged injuries can lead to scar tissue and a higher risk of re-injury.

At the onset of plantar fasciitis immediate measures should be taken in order to avoid serious damage. Ignoring the symptoms, thinking they will go away naturally, and continuing with activities that cause foot pain will certainly lead to more serious problems in the future. In order to avoid serious plantar injuries try to maintain a strict regimen of cold compression after walking or running.