What Causes Plantar Fasciitis?

There are several parts of your foot that can produce heel pain when injured, but plantar fasciitis focuses on a thick, fibrous band of tissue called the plantar fascia. This band runs along the arch of the foot, from your heel bone to the base of your toes.

The plantar fascia is always flexing as we walk, storing and releasing energy that helps us move. However, if something over-strains the band, it can develop small, painful tears and inflammation, which results in pain along the underside of the heel. This is plantar fasciitis.

So why would the pain feel worst in the morning? When at rest, the plantar fascia will “cool down” and contract. Getting back into motion forces it to stretch again, making things especially painful until it has had a few moments to “warm up.” This can also happen after extended periods of sitting, standing, or otherwise not moving.

But just knowing you have plantar fasciitis is not enough. We also need to determine the underlying causes of the problem.

Plantar fasciitis is often classified as an overuse injury, meaning that excessive force and strain is being placed against the plantar fascia. This can be caused in a few different ways:

• Repetitive impacts against the plantar fascia without providing enough time for recovery (e.g. constant long-distance running or sports without enough “rest days”).
• Having to stand or stoop for long periods of time, especially on hard surfaces.
• An abnormality in foot structure, such as flat feet, which shifts too much weight on the plantar fascia.
• Wearing worn down or improper shoes that don’t properly support your foot.

Other factors can also be at play, and more than one factor can contribute. That’s why it is always worth having a thorough, professional examination. Then, the best recommendations can be made for treatment.