What is Plantar Fasciitis? : do you need to lose weight to fix it?

What is plantar fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is inflammation and pain caused in the plantar fascia.  Plantar means bottom of the foot and fascia is a tough fibrous structure connecting across multiple bones.  In this case it connects the tips of our toes to out heel.

It is stretched, under tension, when our toes become extended.  This means when we step forward an elastic force is built up in this and can act to propel us along, think of a low key version of the kangaroos elastic bounce.

Why does plantar fascia relate to being over weight?

When you stand the foot deforms and flattens out.  In a tight inflamed plantar fascia this can be enough to cause pain.  This flattening and the amount of load that goes through the foot is increased if someone is more over weight.  This means that plantar fascia problems are more common in heavier people an usually more painful too.  It can lead some health care professionals to advise more over weight people  to lose weight as part of their plantar

Why would being overweight cause plantar fasciitis?

Plantar fascias get stretched as the person stands this resistance keeps the foot in an arched shape. Therefore the more a person weighs the more weight squashing the foot flat. This load can traumatise the plantar fascia.

Plantar fasciitis do you need to lose weight to fix it?

If the weight has been rapidly and the pain come on or if the person is the heaviest they have ever been it is possible that weight loss is required to return to a pain free state.  In other situations the plantar fascia coped with the load exerted on it before and an effective, experienced physio, like at Pure Physio, the tissue should be able to cope with the stress that is being put upon it.

For evidenced based physio for your potential plantar fascia book in with Pure Physio Albany?

To book expert physio with Pure Physio click here. Or to sort an appointment which suits you give us a call on 09 4481277