What you gain after successfully completing the initial four decades of your life is quite funny. Many of us end up with that big pot belly, lying upon you like it controls everything. Not only your belly, but many other parts of your body becomes bigger according to your lifestyle. Accompanied with this change into a bulk figure, you may start noticing pain in various parts of the body. It is not true if somebody says there is nothing wrong with these pains. Because there are plenty wrong with you if you frequently feel it. Especially when you have pain in certain areas like your ankles, knees, or your back.
Plantar Fasciitis
It is quite common that you tend to feel pain in various parts of your body in your 40s. One of the most familiar issues people face after stepping into this part of their life is plantar fasciitis. Orthopedics also say this is the major issue they have to deal with every day.
So what is actually plantar fasciitis? It is the pain you feel exactly at the bottom of your heels. The main reason behind it is the pressure that comes to your plantar fascia, the thick, weblike ligament. This ligament plays a great role in connecting your heel to the front part of your foot. And what it does is to support you while you walk and it goes through many wears and tears as long as you walk from the very beginning. If you are experiencing more than enough pressure that is beyond the limits, definitely it would cause inflammations in the plantar fascia. And this will result in stiffness and pain in the heel.
How Can I Ensure Myself A Victim?
If you suspect that you are undergoing plantar fasciitis, let me tell you the keys to ensure it. You clearly are a true victim of these conditions, if you have:
- Pain beneath your heels or the middle part of either one of your feet, near the arch.
- A burning sensation on the bottom of your foot, beyond the heels.
- Difficulty in climbing stairs due to pain in the foot.
- Struggles while making your first step out of bed in the morning.
- Intense pain and irritation after doing any prolonged activity.
Why Is It More Common?
Plantar fasciitis is more common than you can imagine. And behind that, there are a lot of reasons. Even though normally it is seen in those who are above the ages of 40, many youngsters are struggling with this issue, especially women. Here are the major causes which make it more than a common issue.
- Overweight/ Obesity
Either you are overweight or obese, you can expect this condition at any point. Because you are more likely to give extra pressure on the plantar fascia while you walk. If you are a new mother or anyone who suddenly puts on a lot of weight, the risk of suffering from this condition becomes higher and higher.
- Pregnancy
It is quite natural that women experience plenty of toils during pregnancy. They often encounter bouts and plantar fasciitis, especially in the third trimester. The extra pounds they gradually developed while expecting, and the weight of the baby together brings more pressure to the foot, making it difficult for them to walk easily like they did before they started baking the bun.
- Running
Becoming a long-distance runner is the best and economical decision to stay fit. But as you suddenly start working more with your feet can lead you to the plantar fascia. Even if you are an expert in covering more and more distance with your feet, you will not be able to save yourself from it.
Don’t think that choosing to be a runner is the only risk factor to develop inflammation in the plantar fascia. However, if you have a job that requires more of the stamina of your feet, it can also be a reason that takes you to this. Working as a waiter or a factory worker will need you to run, walk and stand for a longer period without taking breaks.
As plantar fascia is a common issue we could see among people around us, many treatments are available to bring significant changes in this condition. Though, in most cases, it is curable by simply following some home remedies. Sometimes all you need to have can be a rest to your feet or a best shoe or sandal that can bring better support to your feet. Treating with ice also can give you quicker relief, but if nothing helps you to ease the pain and inflammation, it is obvious that you need to seek the help of a specialist. An injection with correct doses of steroid, directly into the ligament or a proper physiotherapy practice can let you get rid of this completely.