Plantar fasciitis is a foot condition in which the fibrous bands that run along the bottom of your feet swell with pain. The treadmill's soft impact provides an alternative to walking on hard pavement for anyone suffering from painful foot conditions, such as plantar fasciitis. Whether you use a treadmill to lose weight or to strengthen your cardiovascular system, it's nice to know you can walk no matter what the weather.
Step 1
Set your treadmill's speed at a slower pace and work your way up. For instance, if you are not experiencing any pain while walking at a speed of 2.5 but begin to feel pain in your heels when you move up to 3.0, maintain the slower speed.
Step 2
Lower the incline on your treadmill. While setting your treadmill at an incline can help your burn more fat and speed up your heart rate, it can really put a strain on your feet if you have plantar fasciitis.
Step 3
Rest when your plantar fasciitis rears its ugly head. If pain persists while using the treadmill despite slowing down your pace and lowering the incline, take a break for a few days and try returning to your treadmill when the pain subsides.
Step 4
Make an appointment with your podiatrist if the pain of plantar fasciitis makes treadmill use unbearable. He may be able to order an orthotic that you can insert into your workout shoes, relieving your pain.
Tips and Warnings
- Sneakers or walking shoes with a good arch support can help reduce plantar fasciitis pain when you are walking on the treadmill. Ask your podiatrist for shoe recommendations.
- Discontinue treadmill use immediately and seek medical attention if you feel dizzy, lightheaded or if the pain in your feet extends to other areas of your body,
