Plantar Fasciitis Getting Worse? 4 Bad Habits To Avoid

Plantar fasciitis causes sharp, sometimes debilitating pain in the heel of your foot. People who suffer from plantar fasciitis understand how long and difficult treatment for the condition is. In some cases, plantar fasciitis is chronic, meaning it can reoccur often. 

Plantar fasciitis is caused by the inflammation of the plantar fascia, which is the thick band of tissue that connects the heel to the toes. The plantar fascia supports your arch while you walk and acts as a shock absorber for your foot. Too much strain on the plantar fascia can cause plantar fasciitis. Treating plantar fasciitis involves physical therapy, medications, and in serious cases, surgery. 

Preventing plantar fasciitis involves avoiding risk factors and bad habits that contribute to the wear and tear of the plantar fascia, which can worsen your plantar fasciitis.

Below, are 4 bad habits that can cause plantar fasciitis and make symptoms worse. 

1. Being overweight

Obesity can increase your risk of plantar fasciitis due to the increase in pressure on your plantar fascia. The more you weigh, the more pressure you exert on the delicate connective tissue.

Carrying extra weight, or gaining weight, increases the pressure on your knees, hips, ankles, and feet during daily activities such as walking or climbing up stairs. If you want to alleviate pain associated with plantar fasciitis, or prevent it, consider maintaining a healthy weight. 

2. Long periods of standing

Standing for long periods of time, especially in one position, can cause a flare-up of plantar fasciitis. Standing places a lot of pressure on your plantar fascia. The heavier you are, the more pressure you will put on your plantar fascia while standing. The risk is even greater if you are standing on hard surfaces such as concrete or asphalt.

People who work in professions that require long periods of standing, like factory workers or retail workers, are more prone to developing plantar fasciitis. Avoid standing for long periods of time by taking short sitting breaks. If you can’t sit, try to avoid standing in the same position the entire time. 

3. Not wearing the right shoes

Comfortable footwear can reduce your symptoms of plantar fasciitis by providing the proper support and cushion. Improper footwear, such as flat shoes (like flip-flops), high-heels, or shoes that are too tight, can increase symptoms of pain in people with plantar fasciitis.

Runners are especially susceptible to plantar fasciitis because of the constant pounding of the feet against the ground. Improper footwear can hinder your foot’s ability to find its natural position and stride. 

4. Not listening to your body

Not listening to your body when it’s giving you signs of discomfort is the quickest way to develop an injury. Pain is your body’s way of telling you, you need to rest. Pushing through heel or foot pain will only cause the pain to worsen and you may risk developing an even greater injury.

If your feet or ankles hurt, give them proper time to rest. Remember to always stretch and warm up your feet before attempting exercise or physical activity. 

How Do You Treat Plantar Fasciitis? 

Treatment for plantar fasciitis involves a combination of physical therapy, pain relieving medications, stretching, and massaging the plantar fascia, and in some cases, surgical procedures. Many cases of plantar fasciitis resolve within a few weeks to months. But chronic cases of plantar fasciitis are possible, especially if you have one or more risk factors. 

You should attempt to correct any bad habits or risk factors that are making your plantar fasciitis worse. Additionally, you should eat an anti-inflammatory diet to reduce inflammation markers in your body that worsen your condition.

Certain vitamins and minerals in food and supplements have been shown to reduce inflammation and pain in patients with plantar fasciitis. Consuming these nutrients daily may help provide pain relief.

Supplements for Plantar Fasciitis

Numerous vitamins, minerals, and herbs have been shown to reduce inflammation and help with pain relief in a number of inflammatory conditions.* Some of these nutrients include, vitamin C, vitamin D, Zinc, B vitamins, magnesium and more. Taking an all-in-one supplement like PodiVite may be useful for supporting chronic plantar fasciitis.*

 PodiVite is an all-natural supplement that contains multiple vitamins, minerals, and herbs scientifically proven to reduce inflammation.* Its unique formula was created by a group of podiatrists and pharmacists specifically for treating patients with foot pain.* PodiVite is a safe and effective alternative treatment to prescription medications.*

Plantar Fasciitis getting worse: Bottom Line

Treating chronic plantar fasciitis involves a combination of therapy, medications, and reducing your risk factors. Avoid bad habits that worsen your condition and aim to reduce your risk of developing heel and foot pain.

Natural supplements proven to reduce inflammation can help treat your plantar fasciitis in a safe, effective way.* With proper treatment, care, and time, your plantar fasciitis can be healed.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.