HOME TREATMENTS FOR HEEL AND ARCH PAIN

A million visits per year are made with healthcare providers due to the heel and arch pain of plantar fasciitis. This extremely common condition accounts for approximately 15% of all foot symptoms requiring professional care. Estimates claim one in ten Americans have plantar fasciitis. Although a podiatrist can offer numerous non-surgical therapies for this ubiquitous problem, there are some home treatments you can do yourself to reduce the pain of fasciitis. 

First and foremost, wear supportive, stable shoes with arch  supports all of the time that you are on your feet, even in the home. Second, stretch out your Achilles tendon and calf muscles. Prolonged stretches, held for minutes, have been  clearly shown to  be more effective. Third, there are ways to minimize inflammation like icing, short term use of anti-inflammatory medication (like ibuprofen or naprosyn), and use of some topical medicines, common examples being Voltaren gel, Biofreeze, and others. If the pain continues or is recurrent, it's time to seek a specialist like Dr. Conway McLean of Superior Foot and Ankle Centers. 

For many sufferers, a prescription support, termed foot orthotics, can offer lasting relief. Rarely is surgery necessary to get relief of plantar fasciitis.