Plantar fasciitis is a painful foot condition that is caused by inflammation of the thick band of tissue that connects your heel bone to your toes. Roughly two million people across the US deal with plantar fasciitis pain on a regular basis, and treating the problem involves a combination of rest, anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy and similar active modifications.
There are also some things you’ll want to avoid doing while attempting to treat your plantar fasciitis because they can serve to make the condition worse. In today’s blog, we take a look at five things that can make your plantar fasciitis worse.
What Makes Plantar Fasciitis Worse?
Here’s a look at five things that can make your plantar fasciitis worse and hinder your treatment success.
1. Gaining Weight – Excess weight can lead to more stress being channeled through your feet, which in turn will make the symptoms caused by plantar fasciitis worse. If you’re already overweight, failing to work towards a healthy weight can also make plantar fasciitis symptoms worse. Strive to get down to a healthy weight if you want to help treat your plantar fasciitis.
2. Excessive Standing – If you work in a job that requires you stand all day, it could make your plantar fasciitis condition worse. Standing for excessive periods doesn’t give the plantar fascia time to rest, and it can lead to extended periods of inflammation. Try to get off your feet when possible if you stand a lot for work and are dealing with plantar fasciitis.
3. Not Stretching When You Wake – Rest is a crucial time when this thick band of tissue heals and isn’t required to handle stress. However, if you roll out of bed and stand up quickly, this band of tissue can tear as it suddenly is forced to bear weight. That’s why plantar fasciitis is often worse in the morning. Before you take your first steps, point, twist, flex and bend your foot and ankle so that the area can get used to movement and activity before it has to bear your body weight.
4. Wearing Unsupportive Shoes – Plantar fasciitis is more common in patients with high arches, and if you don’t wear shoes that accommodate for your specific foot shape, it can make symptoms of plantar fasciitis much worse. You need to make sure that your foot arch is supported and that your shoes are preventing problems, not contributing to them. If you have questions about your shoes, reach out to a foot specialist like Dr. Silverman.
5. Eating Too Much Sugar – Elevated blood sugar levels in your body can trigger inflammation, which in turn will make your plantar fasciitis worse. Cutting back on refined sugars can not only help to calm inflammation in your body, but it can also help with your weight, another factor on this list.
So while active treatment options are important for fixing your plantar fasciitis, so too is avoiding things that could inadvertently make your condition worse. If you need help getting a handle on your plantar fasciitis condition, reach out to Dr. Silverman’s office today.