Plantar fasciitis, a leading cause of heel pain, drives around 40 percent of visits to podiatrists in the United States. It occurs due to inflammation in the largest ligament in your foot, caused by excessive tension, resulting in irritation and discomfort. If left unchecked, it can lead to tendinosis, causing thicker, damaged ligaments.
Reducing Stress on the Plantar Fascia
To alleviate the stress and strain on the plantar fascial ligament while running, choosing the right surface is pivotal. It’s not about running in different geographical locations but more about the surface impacting your foot mechanics. Opting for a surface that supinates your foot can significantly diminish the strain on the ligament.
The Mechanics of Surface Selection
Imagine running on a road with a sloped surface—your feet adapt, causing supination on one side and pronation on the other. This supination increases the arch height, ultimately reducing the stress on the ligament. Similarly, running on a sidewalk with an inclined surface underneath your feet can also lead to supination, aiding in alleviating the strain on the affected foot.
Personal Experience
In my personal experience, when dealing with plantar fasciitis during my Ironman training, running on a road with my back to the traffic led to a significant improvement. This simple change in the running surface, causing foot supination, helped resolve my plantar fasciitis in a couple of weeks.
Use Planter fasciitis Boot
In most cases, a plantar fasciitis boot can be recommended by healthcare professionals as part of the treatment plan. The plantar fasciitis boot are designed to keep the foot at a specific angle, typically dorsiflexed, allowing the plantar fascia to rest and heal properly. While using a plantar fasciitis boot can offer relief by reducing tension on the ligament, Read this article about PLANTAR FASCITIS BOOT HELPFUL? PICK BEST OPTIONS to determine if it’s suitable for your specific condition. Combining the use of a plantar fasciitis boot with strategic running surface choices, like opting for surfaces that promote foot supination, can contribute to an effective recovery strategy for plantar fasciitis.
Conclusion: Choosing the Right Surface Matters
Selecting a sloped surface that promotes foot supination can accelerate recovery from plantar fasciitis, aiding in a quicker return to running. Remember, always follow your doctor’s advice, but incorporating this change in running terrain might be worth considering to expedite your recovery.
