Some Modalities For Heel Pain Treatment San Francisco Residents May Use

By Serena Price


Heel pain is synonymous with planter fascitis. This pain characteristically starts in the morning when one wakes up and abates as the day progresses. It is known to cause a significant impairment of functionality. There are several options for heel pain treatment San Francisco residents may explore if they have been diagnosed with the condition. The main objective of these treatment modalities is to relieve the pain and to help restore normal function.

It has been established through research that planter fascitis has the highest incidence among athletes. As they compete or exercise, athletes subject the plantar fascia to undue strain. The plantar fascia is a sheet of tissue extending from the toes to the heel. It is designed to stabilize the foot. When subjected to excessive strain, the fascia becomes inflamed and this causes excessive pain and limits functionality. The same may also occur if when you wear improper shoes.

The early stages of the condition are treated mainly by conservative therapies. As the symptoms set in, adequate rest is very helpful. Ensure that you desist from engaging in activities that are likely to aggravate your condition. This allows the planter fascia to heal in the areas that have been affected by inflammatory changes. Concrete surfaces are known to be especially harmful and should be avoided.

As many as 9 patients out of 10 that are affected respond to conservative therapies. Most of them actually heal completely within a year. The only condition that has to be fulfilled is adherence to the prescribed therapy. There may or may not be a need to combine several therapies. This is determined by the effectiveness of the individual therapies and the severity of the condition.

The most commonly used drugs belong to the NSAID group. These are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Aspirin, naproxen, diclofenac and ibuprofen are all examples of drugs that belong to this group. You need to remember that these drugs will only provide short term relief and the symptoms will recur after a short period of time. Remember that they may lead to some serious side effects such as renal failure and peptic ulcer disease.

There is a need to carefully choose the type of foot wear to use. The main considerations in the selection of footwear include the ability to absorb shock and to support foot arches. The shoes should be properly cushioned to help in the cushioning of exposed pressure points. If you are going to replace your shoes, ensure that you do it for both feet.

When done on a regular basis, physical exercise is very helpful. Some of the routines that can be practised include calf and toe stretches and towel stretching. The best time for such routines is early in the morning. The exercises help in increasing ligament flexibility and improve arch support.

If they do not show improvement with conservative heel pain treatment San Francisco residents may need to start considering the surgical options available. For any form of treatment chosen, it should be remembered that success rates are widely variable. Some people respond almost immediately while others take a much longer period of time.




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