Choosing The Right Plantar Fasciitis Pain Relief Treatment

Plantar fasciitis can be excruciatingly painful. But fortunately, it is possible to recover from the condition in a few months. But in the meantime, there are several treatments that may be able to provide you with pain relief. But since some of these treatments also come with side effects, make sure to weigh the pros and cons of each option.

Traditional Pain Medications

Traditional pain medications can help alleviate the pain caused by plantar fasciitis. Anti-inflammatory medications are among the most-effective, but they also can lead to gastrointestinal problems, gastric pain and renal damage.

Cold Therapy

Another approach to cut down on inflammation is to apply cold to the site of the pain. This could involve placing an ice cube or cold rag over the affected area. Hold it until the cold agent warms or until the pain subsides. The most-effective impromptu ice pack is crushed ice in a plastic bag. If you are performing exercises, a good time to apply the ice is shortly after the exercise.

A Steroid Shot

If the pain is very severe, you might have your doctor inject a steroid shot into the affected area. This will provide temporary relief. However, it is not recommended to have more than one shot because this can cause a rupture and can also cause the fat pat that covers the heel bone to shrink.

Sound Waves

Sound waves have been successful in facilitating plantar fasciitis healing. The downside of this approach is that it can cause bruises and swelling. Also, this approach is not always completely effective, but does not have severe long-term side effects.

Massage Therapy

Deep tissue massages can be a healing treatment that does not come with harmful side effects. When you carefully guide your massage therapist through your experiences, the massage therapy is less likely to be painful and can be very relaxing and pleasant. The advantage of the arch of the foot is that the muscles are tough and can resist a great deal of force applied to them. A trained massage therapist can discover knots in the foot that may be contributing to your pain and can correct them.

Surgical Treatments

The best place to get started with having your heel pain treated is to speak with a doctor who specializes in this area of medicine. If the heel pain is very severe, surgery might be necessary. However, this is used as a final option.  Contact a doctor, like http://footfirstpodiatrycl.com, for more help.