What Is Plantar Fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is a condition characterized by sharp, stabbing pain in the heel of the foot. This pain is most often experienced with the first daily steps or after extended periods of rest.
Physical trauma, age, and general damage from simply using it can cause the plantar fascia, or the band of tissue that spans the sole of the foot, to degenerate. This results in moderate to severe pain upon standing or walking.
Excess weight, an athletic lifestyle, flat feet or high arches, and jobs that require long hours on your feet can all increase the risk of developing plantar fasciitis. There really is not a single type of person or activity that suffers from this problem.
Your choice of shoes also plays a large part in affecting your condition. High heels, overly squishy or flexible soles, and shoes without arch support can increase your risk of plantar fasciitis. Poorly fitting shoes or shoes designed for a different type of foot also hurt.