That sudden, burning pain in your heel when you take your first steps out of bed? That’s the classic, unwelcome greeting of plantar fasciitis. It’s the most common cause of heel pain, and it happens when the tissue that supports your arch, aka the plantar fascia, gets overworked and inflamed. While the pain is the same for everyone, we at Syracuse Podiatry see that the how and why behind getting plantar fasciitis boils down to your specific lifestyle, job, or favorite weekend activity. Let’s look at how different folks end up with this stubborn ache.
The Casual Athlete
Picture Mark, a guy in his 40s who sits at a desk all week. He decides to ramp up his running mileage or join a competitive flag football league on the weekend. But his body, tendons, and fascia are shocked by the sudden, intense physical demands.
Cause: The lack of conditioning and quick spike in activity sends a jolt of stress right to the heel. His feet simply aren’t ready for the weekend shock of activity.
The Busy Worker
Think of Sarah, a nurse who spends eight to twelve hours a day standing on hard hospital floors.
Cause: For Sarah, the issue is sustained, repetitive compression and strain. Even if she’s not running, the constant force of her body weight pushing down on the heel, without adequate rest or cushioning, causes the fascia to fatigue and tear microscopically. Her problem is chronic overload, not acute injury.
The Athlete with Tight Calves
Runners, dancers, and people who participate in explosive sports often get plantar fasciitis, but their cause is more structural. They are prone to tight calf muscles and a shortened Achilles tendon.
Cause: That tightness acts like a rope that pulls relentlessly on the heel bone where the plantar fascia attaches. Every time they step, the fascia is already under excessive tension before they even put their foot down.
The Weight Factor
This is a straightforward issue that affects people across all ages and activity levels.
Cause: Excess body weight increases stress on the arch and heel. This is why significant weight gain often precedes a painful bout of plantar fasciitis. The tissue is simply being asked to hold weight it wasn’t conditioned to hold.
The Shoe Problem
Sometimes the culprit is pure mechanics. People who rely heavily on sneakers that don’t fit them for prolonged periods lose all structural support.
Cause: This lack of arch support causes the foot to collapse and overstretch the fascia with each step.
If you’re struggling with that morning heel pain, talk to a podiatrist. Figuring out which factor is stressing your fascia is the first step to finally kicking the pain.
For advice related to any podiatric concerns you’re facing, the expert team at Syracuse Podiatry is here to help guide you. Contact us today so Dr. Ryan L. D’Amico, Dr. Donal M. Erickson, Dr. Keith Sherman, and Dr. Nicholas Cronin can elevate your foot health and help your feet feel their best.