The first few steps in the morning are often the most painful.
The plantar fascia is a fibrous band that runs from the heel to the toes. It provides strength, stabilisation and shock absorption to the foot.
Plantar fasciitis is a common condition that occurs when the plantar fascia becomes damaged. When the foot is used a lot (e.g. long distance running or walking) micro-tears in the tissue don’t have enough time to heal, and then become irritated and inflamed.
The most common symptom of plantar fasciitis is pain on the inside of the heel bone. It is often most painful first thing in the morning when you take your first few steps. As the day wears on and the foot is used more the pain often subsides giving you a feeling that “everything is okay, so I can carry on exercising”. This can be dangerous as continued exercise often worsens the condition.
If you suspect Plantar Fasciitis you need to stretch the plantar fascia as soon as it feels sore or tight. This can be done by pulling the toes back towards the leg or rolling a ball under a bare foot.
If you are suffering from plantar fasciitis an Active650 X-Over Ankle Support can reduce the stresses and loads on the plantar fascia as you walk, giving the tissue more protection and reducing the likelihood of further tissue damage.