Do I Have Plantar Fasciitis?
Are you suffering from heel pain that radiates through the arch of your foot? If yes, you may be dealing with plantar fasciitis. Over time, this condition can lead to decreased mobility, ultimately affecting your work performance, social life, and ability to complete daily activities. Therefore, if you’re experiencing heel pain in Manhattan, Dr. Bobby Bilitsis at Prestige Health and Wellness recommends seeking treatment before it worsens.
Plantar fasciitis feels like:
- Sharp heel pain
- Pain after taking first steps in the morning
- Discomfort on the soles of the feet
We’ll explore plantar fasciitis and the non-surgical treatment options in Manhattan, NYC.
What is Plantar Fasciitis?
Although most people call it plantar fasciitis, it may also be called painful heel syndrome, heel spur syndrome, or runner’s heel. Plantar fasciitis develops when the thick band of fibrous tissue, known as plantar fascia, becomes inflamed. The plantar fascia runs across the bottom of each foot, connecting the heel bone to the toes. It functions as a shock absorber, supporting the arch of your foot as you go about daily activities.
This condition is considered one of the most common causes of chronic heel pain in adults. In fact, it’s estimated that 1 in 10 people will develop plantar fasciitis at some point in their lifetime.
Symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis
This might surprise some, but plantar fasciitis accounts for about 11% to 15% of all foot symptoms that require medical care. This condition can lead to debilitating symptoms, such as:
- Pain on the bottom of the foot/heel that is worse in the morning when you are first taking steps or if you are walking after sitting down for a while
- Aching feet after standing for a more extended period of time
- Swelling or redness in the foot
- Tenderness
- Tightness in the arch of the foot
Plantar Fasciitis: Causes and Risk Factors
Plantar fasciitis often occurs when increased weight or pressure is placed on the bottom of the foot. This can strain and/or overstretch the fascia, causing small tears and chronic degeneration.
Factors that may make someone more susceptible to plantar fasciitis include:
- Excess weight
- Pregnancy
- Wearing shoes with soft soles or poor arch support
- Foot structure (e.g., having flat feet or high arches)
- Increased activity level
- Running long-distance or on an uneven, downhill surface
Treatment Options for Plantar Fasciitis in Manhattan, NYC
You don’t have to suffer through plantar fasciitis pain. There are non-surgical treatment options available, including:
Acupuncture
Acupuncture can provide short-term pain relief for plantar fasciitis. Studies have found that four to eight weeks of acupuncture treatments resulted in pain relief for patients with plantar fasciitis.
Physical Therapy
Therapeutic stretches can be the perfect way to alleviate the discomfort of plantar fasciitis. One of our specialized providers can assist you with exploring stretching techniques that can combat stress and discomfort on the feet.
Massage Therapy
People often get massages to help promote relaxation and relieve stress, but they’re also helpful in other ways. For instance, research shows that deep massage, along with stretching, strengthening, and other techniques, may be beneficial when treating plantar fasciitis. Our Manhattan massage therapists will use their clinical reasoning skills to determine the best therapy intervention for you.
Orthotics
Orthotics are tailor-made shoe inserts that can help alleviate symptoms of plantar fasciitis. These inserts support the arch of the foot, where pain may be most unbearable.
Get Plantar Fasciitis Treatment in Manhattan
Ready to get relief? The professional, knowledgeable, and experienced Prestige Health and Wellness team is ready to help.
Book an appointment for plantar fasciitis treatment in Manhattan, or if our treatment options are right for you, please don’t hesitate to call our office at 212-393-4673.
We look forward to seeing you at one of our locations in Manhattan NYC:
