Best Plantar Fasciitis Treatments

People suffering from plantar fasciitis and heel spurs always want to get the quickest fix for the problem, to get back to normality and to quickly eradicate the pain from this annoying foot problem. Unfortunately the time taken for this foot ailment to heal fully can be considerable. It is not unusual for this to take many months, and it is no surprise that the use of devices to speed up the healing process are highly popular. However, what are the best plantar fasciitis treatments?

Luckily, there is a wide range of conservative treatment options (those which can be applied by the sufferer at home) which can offer fast pain relief and can speed up the healing process considerably. However, there is no single treatment which will be best for every sufferer of plantar fasciitis and heel spurs, although the options listed below have all been demonstrated to work, and can reduce the frequency and/or severity of plantar fascia pain.

What are the Best Plantar Fasciitis Treatments?

Listed below are a number of options available which can help to ease the painful symptoms of plantar fasciitis. However you do not have to pay for products, and many people are able to ease the pain from this condition solely by taking it easy and resting the feet, in addition to performing simple plantar fascia and Achilles tendon stretches twice a day. In the majority of cases – whether products are purchased or not – plantar fasciitis will heal over time. It is relatively uncommon for sufferers to have to resort to surgery or invasive treatments. These tend to be reserved for top athletes and for long term sufferers of this condition; generally when symptoms of plantar fasciitis persist for more than 12 months, and only after conservative treatments have proved to be ineffective.

Plantar Fasciitis Night Splints

Plantar fasciitis night splints are a highly popular choice, as they are convenient to use and can help to prevent the morning heel pain which characterizes this foot condition. These devices are relatively cheap, and start at around $20, although they can cost up to around $80 depending on the model chosen. You simply strap them onto the foot at bedtime, and they keep the plantar fascia stretched throughout the night. They will not heal the condition – that takes time – but they can prevent morning foot pain.
Plantar fasciitis night splints are braces which attach to the lower leg, foot and ankle and keep the foot in a dorsiflexed position, with the plantar fascia slightly stretched. It is contraction of the plantar fascia during the night, and the sudden stretching when the first steps are taken in the morning which causes the pain. There are many different models, although they generally fall into three categories; Soft foot arch supports, fabric supports which encase the whole foot and ankle, and rigid splints which attach to the lower leg. You can read more about these treatment options on this page.

Plantar Fasciitis Day Splints

Much like night splints, day splints look very similar to the rigid night splints and they work in exactly the same fashion. Since they are designed for day wear, they are more robust and can be worn more comfortably when walking is required. They can be worn at night as well, so there is no need to buy a day splint and a night splint, but many people still choose to purchase both as day splints can be a little bulky for wearing to bed. These day splints and boots have buckles and straps so they can be fastened to the lower leg and foot for a close and comfortable fit.

Heal Seats for Plantar Fasciitis

Unlike the day splints which can be worn when pottering around the house, heel seats (also called heel cups, or gel seats) allow for a much more active life. They are easy to use, and can be slipped in most footwear types with minimum fuss. They sit underneath the heel, and raise it slightly. This serves two purposes. Raising the heal reduces the strain on the plantar fascia, and secondly they add extra cushioning at the point where plantar fascia pain is most commonly felt. Heel seats are a highly popular choice for the convenience, and the fact that mobility is not greatly affected. Many plantar fasciitis sufferers also claim that they offer instant pain relief. You can read more about heel seats here