1. Brace Yourself
You get out of bed one morning and begin to cross the floor only to be stopped in your tracks by excruciating heel pain. Sound familiar? It's a classic case of plantar fasciitis. The plantar fascia ligament that stretches from your heel to the ball of your foot and supports your arch is injured. Foot braces for plantar fasciitis are an excellent nonsurgical treatment. They can be easily purchased over the Internet.
2. No Pointing Please
Most people naturally point their toes when they sleep so that their feet are parallel to the floor. This position causes the plantar fascia ligament and Achilles tendon of the foot to contract. Upon rising, the ligament and the tendon are abruptly stretched, causing pain. A night splint is a type of brace that isolates the foot in a position perpendicular to the floor. This position keeps the ligaments and tendons stretched and primed for pain free walking.
3. Good Night, Splint Tight
The night splint type of foot brace comes in two varieties. One is a molded plastic boot that extends to the knee. It is open at the front to reveal padding. Hook and loop closures hold the boot in place. It's as cumbersome as a traditional leg cast, but very effective. A second type of night splint is made of light weight material that covers the foot like a sock and extends above the ankle to form a cuff. A strap reaches from the toe to the cuff, gently pulling the toes back to keep the plantar fascia ligament stretched. Be sure to visit the bathroom before donning your night splint. It's not meant for walking.
4. Keep the Arch in Your March
The plantar fascia ligament can be overstretched when your body weight causes your arch to flatten. Use an arch brace to support the arch and ligament and avoid plantar fasciitis. An arch brace is small. It hugs the arch of the foot. Two straps wrap around the top of the foot to hold the brace in place. Wear it throughout the day with shoes.
5. Boost Your Foot Brace
If your plantar fasciitis is partially healed by a foot brace, consider boosting your treatment with an anti-inflammatory medication like ibuprofen or naproxen. These products are available without a prescription. Take the medication for a week to achieve full relief. Follow the directions on the label. If you are allergic to aspirin do not use the medication.
