Plantar fasciitis is inflammation of the plantar fascia, a part of your foot that connects your heel bone to your toes.
Symptoms of plantar fasciitis include pain around the heel and arch of your foot. It may be worse in the morning.
You can usually help plantar fasciitis with things like rest, ice packs and comfortable shoes. A foot specialist can help if it does not get better.
You're more likely to get plantar fasciitis from exercising on hard surfaces, wearing shoes with poor support or being very overweight.
Read more on the NHS website.
Symptoms of plantar fasciitis include pain around the heel and arch of your foot. It may be worse in the morning.
Check if you have plantar fasciitis
The main symptom of plantar fasciitis is pain on the bottom of your foot, around your heel and arch.
It's more likely to be plantar fasciitis if:
- the pain is much worse when you start walking after sleeping or resting
- the pain feels better during exercise, but returns after resting
- it's difficult to raise your toes off the floor
Read more on the NHS website.
You can usually help plantar fasciitis with things like rest, ice packs and comfortable shoes. A foot specialist can help if it does not get better.
Self-care
If you see a GP, they'll usually suggest you try these things:
Do
rest and raise your foot on a stool when you can
put an ice pack (or bag of frozen peas) in a towel on the painful area for up to 20 minutes every 2 to 3 hours
wear wide comfortable shoes with a low heel and soft sole
use soft insoles or heel pads in your shoes
regular gentle stretching exercises
exercises that do not put pressure on your feet, such as swimming
take paracetamol
Don't
do not take ibuprofen for the first 48 hours
do not walk or stand for long periods
do not wear high heels or tight pointy shoes
do not wear flip-flops or backless slippers
try not to walk barefoot on hard surfaces
Medical treatments
A GP might refer you to a physiotherapist for exercises or to see a foot specialist (podiatrist), who can recommend things like insoles and the right shoes to wear.
Physiotherapy and podiatry may not be available for free on the NHS everywhere and waiting times can be long.
You can also pay to see a podiatrist or physiotherapist privately.
Read more on the NHS website.
You're more likely to get plantar fasciitis from exercising on hard surfaces, wearing shoes with poor support or being very overweight.
Read more on the NHS website.