FRIDAY, Dec. 13, 2002 (HealthDayNews) -- Do you suffer severe foot pain for the first few steps you take in the morning, but the pain then subsides after you've been moving for a few minutes?
You may have plantar fasciitis, which is an inflammation of the fibrous tissue that runs along bottom of your foot and connects your toes to your heel bone, says an article in the December issue of the Mayo Clinic Health Letter.
Simple treatments for pain and inflammation can clear up plantar fasciitis, but it sometimes takes a year or more for it to go away.
You can take your own steps to relieve the pain:
- Get rid of excess body weight, which increases the risk of plantar fasciitis.
- Daily stretching and strengthening exercises may help. Try toe curls and flexing and extending the foot. You can do these exercises before you roll out of bed in the morning.
- Apply a cloth-covered ice pack to the painful area for 15 minutes after you do an activity.
- Wear proper shoes. High-quality running or walking shoes are the best choice.
- Over-the-counter pain relievers can help.
- If none of these are effective, see your doctor.
More information
The Medical College of Wisconsin has more about plantar fasciitis.
