Will Plantar Fasciitis Heal on Its Own?

After months spent indoors during quarantine in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, many Americans have been faced with a drop in their activity levels. We can infer that without access to recreational facilities, a physical workplace to report to, or extra-curricular activities available, we spent more time off of our feet these last few months than on them.

Our habits and patterns may have negatively impacted our feet, a reality we have witnessed over the past few weeks as our economies have opened up and people have resumed the bustle of their lives. At Kings Point Foot & Ankle, we have seen a disproportionate spike in the number of patients dealing with plantar fasciitis.

Plantar fasciitis, also known as heel spur syndrome, is an inflammation of the thick band of tissue between the toes and the heel that provide support to the arch of the foot. 

A common question asked by those who have experienced the pain of plantar fasciitis is: Will the pain subside without medical intervention? In most cases, the pain will subside naturally over time. However, whether you take that route will be based on the level of pain you are experiencing. Symptoms can be mild and manifest as a bruised feeling, but they can also be much more agonizing. In this case, patients may experience a stabbing, excruciating pain that warrants immediate medical attention. The pain can also develop slowly over time or onset quickly, which would further exacerbate adverse conditions.

The best decision you can make, whether your pain is mild or extreme, is to visit a foot specialist since it can be difficult to ascertain whether your current condition is the worst that it will be. If you are not able to make it to a professional quickly, there are some steps you can take from home to provide relief to the symptoms.

Reduce the amount of time you spend on your feet

The best thing you can do during this stage is to refrain from any activities that may further aggravate the condition. This means canceling those morning runs and rain checking on plans with friends for a while, at least until you have a better idea of what you are dealing with.

Stretch your fascia intermittently throughout the day.

Sit on the floor and stretch one leg out across the floor in front of you. Your toes should be pointed to the ceiling. Grab your toes and pull them towards you to feel a nice stretch in your fascia.

Take an OTC pain reliever as needed.

You’ll want to keep a pain reliever such as Ibufen available to take when the pain becomes unbearable.

Be sure to schedule an appointment to have a proper diagnosis. You can schedule one today with one of LA’s top-rated foot and ankle specialist, Dr. Benjamin Tehrani. He can create a treatment plan that works best for your unique situation and have you back on your feet without pain. 

Call us today!