HEEL PAIN >> HELPFUL TIPS, EXERCISES, AND STRETCHES FOR PLANTAR FASCIITIS TREATMENT
The foot is the basis of almost every movement of the body: when we run, the foot’s job is to absorb the impact of our body weight and transform this energy into forward propulsion. This complex process requires 28 bones, 31 joints and 23 muscles working in perfect harmony. If something isn’t functioning properly or is out of sync, this can lead to overuse injuries. One common problem that often takes the fun out of running is plantar fasciitis.
WHAT IS PLANTAR FASCIITIS?
Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of the plantar ligament which runs from your heel to your toes. The plantar ligament runs along the sole of your foot from your heel to your toes and stabilizes your arch. This ligament plays a major role in running: when your foot makes contact with the ground, the ligament acts as a shock absorber and gives your foot control. Without the flexibility of the plantar ligament, our body wouldn’t be able to transform the force of our body weight into forward propulsion.
If the foot strikes the ground with too much force, this can overstretch the plantar ligament and cause tiny tears in the tissue, which leads to inflammation of the plantar fascia – plantar fasciitis. After the tears heal, these micro-injuries leave behind scars that can limit the flexibility of the plantar ligament and thus lead to performance problems.
Good to know:
Plantar fasciitis often develops slowly over time. At first, you only experience slight heel pain when you run, but later on, it becomes a stabbing pain even when you are at rest. The healing process usually lasts somewhere between six weeks and a year.
HEEL PAIN: 5 HELPFUL TIPS TO PREVENT PLANTAR FASCIITIS
1. INCREASE YOUR MILEAGE AND INTENSITY SLOWLY AND STEADILY.
This is the only way your body can get used to the increased demands and make the necessary structural changes in your muscles, bones, tendons and ligaments.
2. SCHEDULE TIME FOR RECOVERY.
Give your body the chance to recover from the training sessions. If you don’t, you run the risk of overtraining. Tip: make sure to take a rest day between every two or three workouts.
3. WEAR THE RIGHT RUNNING SHOES.
Damaged running shoes (loose seams or soles) can cause injuries or trigger plantar fasciitis. So, track your runs with the adidas Running app and use the shoe tracking feature. That way you’ll know when it’s time for a new pair of shoes.
4. STRETCH BEFORE YOU RUN.
Both your feet and your calves tend to be tight (for example, from sitting for a long time). Stretching can help you loosen them up and prevent plantar fasciitis.
5. WORK ON COORDINATION AND FOOT STABILITY.
When you run, your foot is constantly under demand and should balance out the unevenness of the surface during the stance phase.
2 PREVENTIVE PLANTAR FASCIITIS EXERCISES
1. STRETCHING TO IMPROVE THE FLEXIBILITY OF YOUR CALVES, ANKLES AND THE SOLES OF YOUR FEET
How to do the exercise:
Assume a push-up position. Then walk your feet forward toward your hands. Try to keep your heels on the floor. If it’s not possible, you can bend your knees and reduce some of the tension. Walk your feet forward until you form at least a right angle at your waist and press your heels to the floor in the final position. Hold this position for 30 seconds and then slowly return to the starting position. Do this strengthening exercise five times a day for 30 seconds.
2. EXERCISE TO INCREASE THE MUSCULAR CONTROL OF YOUR ANKLES AND THE SOLES OF YOUR FEET
How to do the exercise:
Stand on one leg and cross your arms in front of your chest. Turn your upper body to the left and then to the right. Keep your ankle straight and flex the arch of your foot. Do this exercise three times a day for one minute on each side.
DO YOU SUFFER FROM PLANTAR FASCIITIS? >> TIPS AND EXERCISES
If you are already suffering from plantar fasciitis, read through these 5 tips and try making the following changes:
1. STOP YOUR RUNNING TRAINING IMMEDIATELY.
Your foot needs rest to let the injury heal. Any additional stress will delay the healing process.
2. ROLL OUT THE TENSION IN YOUR FOOT.
Reduce the muscle tension in your foot by rolling out the soles of your feet with a small ball for two or three minutes a day. But be careful: do not roll directly on the area that you feel pain.
How to do the exercise:
Roll out the soles of your feet slowly with the ball. Increase the pressure on the sensitive areas for about 60 seconds.
3. STRETCH THE SOLES OF YOUR FEET REGULARLY.
It is important to keep the soles of your feet flexible, even during the acute stage of pain. Do the following stretch two or three times a day:
How to do the stretch:
Place your toes on the floor and slowly sit back on your heels. Keep your upper body straight and upright. Hold the stretch for about 60 seconds.
4. STRENGTHEN YOUR SHIN MUSCLES.
Strong shin muscles relieve the pressure on your calves and reduce the tension in the soles of your feet. Do the following exercise three times a day for 45 seconds per leg:
How to do the exercise:
Pull a resistance band towards you using your toes. Flex your foot, hold the position and then straighten your foot again.
5. WORK ON YOUR RUNNING TECHNIQUE.
Good running form is characterized by a natural rollover of the foot and short ground contact. This helps to relieve stress on the arch of the foot.
“After your foot injury heals from plantar fasciitis, start back by working on your running technique,” recommends running expert Sascha Wingenfeld. “The only way to avoid re-injuring yourself is by improving your running form.”
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