Does Flat Feet Cause Plantar Fasciitis?

Many people suffer from acute pain in the heel, and the condition seems extremely hard to bear when you wake up in the morning. The most common cause of chronic heel pain that affects mainly older people is Plantar Fasciitis. It is a band of tissue present in our foot from the toes and heel bone. Heel pain appears when this tissue becomes inflamed, and some people it becomes so severe that they require surgery to cure.

Pain can be relieved, and plantar fasciitis can be corrected with proper care. Some certain conditions can trigger pain from plantar fasciitis, and among them, flat feet surpasses everything. However, many other reasons can cause this problem in people. Let’s learn more about it further.

Symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis

People should be aware of the symptoms of plantar fasciitis to avoid mistaking it for some other health conditions. The primary symptom is the pain in the heel experienced when you wake up in the morning and take your first step out of bed. You can also experience the same kind of pain when you gain weight, and your feet have to provide your body support.

It has the potential to affect both the feet but generally starts with one foot. The pain experienced by the person can be from mild to severe, which can gradually develop over time. 

When you experience pain or burning sensation on the bottom of your foot that is extending outward from the heel, then it can be a symptom of developing plantar fasciitis. Besides, you feel stiffness in your heel while climbing stairs.

Causes of Plantar Fasciitis

There is a higher risk of developing plantar fasciitis if you are obese. Besides, people of ages between 40 and 70 years who are active are also at higher risk for developing plantar fasciitis. Moreover, Plantar Fasciitis is prevailing in women than in men. Women who are pregnant can experience bouts of foot pain.

If you have high arches or flat feet, you have a risk of developing plantar fasciitis. Even tight tendons that attach to your calf muscles to heel can also result in plantar fasciitis. They cannot be a result of heel spurs and can be treated by merely wearing plantar fasciitis socks, shoes, or soles that can help prevent pain from the heel. 

The link between flat feet and heel pain

It is proven by specialists that flat feet can contribute to heel pain and plantar fasciitis especially in younger people. 

Treatment

The first way to treat plantar fasciitis is to take anti-inflammatory drugs. Some of the home remedies also work like rest, icing, using plantar fasciitis socks and braces. If these home remedies don’t relieve your pain, then you can seek medical help. When you visit a doctor, they may use an ultrasound device to determine the best place for an injection. They can apply the injection to the arch of your foot or skin of your heel. 

Another great way to relieve heel pain from plantar fasciitis is physical therapy. You can consult a physical therapist who will guide you through the therapy and show you some exercises that will help in strengthening your muscles. Besides, it will help to stabilize your walk and strengthen your Achilles’ tendons. If all these methods aren’t working in reducing the pain, some doctors recommend shock wave therapy. However, this therapy does have a few side effects that include swelling, bruises, numbness, and pain.