Welcome to our health column penned by Dr. Zingisa Nyawose, a Biokineticist based in Durban.
You could be suffering from plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis is an overuse injury which can be made worse with running due to the high impact activity. This condition is quite common in runners with high arches, excessive pronation and tight calf muscles, among other factors.
The pain usually feels worse in the morning when taking the first few steps out of bed, or taking the first few steps after prolonged sitting, although this can also be felt with activities such as running, walking and standing for long as the injury progresses.
If you are a runner suffering from plantar fasciitis, try applying an ice pack on the affected area following your run if it usually pains with running. Rolling your foot on a golf ball or a frozen water bottle may also be helpful.
Other most important ways to treat this condition include stretching tight muscles such as the plantar fascia itself, calf muscles and other contributing tight muscles. Additionally, strengthening exercises for the foot muscles are important in managing this condition because they help to provide stability to the foot and reduce stress absorbed by the plantar fascia during physical activities.
It is also important to find a shoe that is most suitable for you. It is always best to consult with a healthcare professional if the condition does not resolve, in order to identify the root cause of the problem and any other underlying contributing factors, for appropriate management.
Dr. Zingisa Nyawose is a Biokineticist based in Durban Central and can be contacted at [email protected] for assistance with musculoskeletal injuries. For further contact information, visit www.mpwrhealth.co.za.
To find out more about Biokinetics or to locate a Biokineticist near you, visit www.biokineticssa.org.za.
