Arch Pain and Plantar Fasciitis
If you are one of the thousands if not millions of people around the world who suffer from sore and aching feet, it may not be much comfort to know you are not alone. In fact, statistically speaking 2 million people suffer from arch pain every year.
Arch pain is a common complaint that can be both frustrating and debilitating. The good news is that for many the treatment for this condition is a simple one.
Diagnosis
Although there may be other reasons for your foot pain, the most common one is a condition called Plantar Fasciitis. Fasciitis or fasciosis is an inflammation of the plantar fascia in the foot. The plantar facia is a thick and fibrous connective tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot and connects your toes to your heel.
To diagnose fasciitis arch pain, a doctor may ask you to stand and walk as well as order some tests done such as MRI, radiographs, and diagnostic ultrasound.
Fasciitis Symptoms
The main symptoms of plantea arch pain are a burning pain that starts on the bottom of the heel. The sensation is generally at its most intense first thing in the morning. You can feel the first couple of steps after sitting or lying down for extended periods.
Although the burning and painful sensation is the main symptom, other symptoms may occur. Such symptoms are the inability to bend the foot upward (Toes toward the shin) and an increased probability of pains in the knees.
On a side note, the onset of arch pain can also be associated with a condition known as a heel spur. A heel spur is a bony calcification that develops on the heel. The spur is often blamed for the pain. However the spur is not the actual cause but a symptom of plantars.
Causes
The main causes of this painful foot injury are excessive wearing of high heeled shoes. Excess weight, and increased stresses to the area due to running or dancing are the other causes. Furthermore, you can blame the employment situations where one must stand and walk for long periods of time.
Plantar Fasciitis Treatment
The main treatment options depend on the severity of the individual case and could include massage therapy (by massage machines), resting your feet, stretching exercises, night splints, special motion control shoes, cold therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, corticosteroid injections and even surgery for sever cases.
Leg Pain
Leg Pain is a common symptom that can take many different forms from a mild nuisance that comes and goes to severe pain. That makes it impossible to walk, sleep or do simple everyday activities.
Some people may describe the pain as a burning or throb while others found it sharp and searing.
The pain is often accompanied by other symptoms such as a pins and needles sensation. The twitching is known as restless leg syndrome or even numbness or weakness in the leg or the foot.
Causes
Though there are many causes of pain, the biggest culprit besides a trauma or injury is often a problem with the sciatic nerve located in the lower back area. The sciatic nerve causes leg and lowers back pain that can even manifest in one or both feet. The pain from this is diagnosed as sciatica and can be treated by treating the problem in the back that is causing the nerve to flare up. Sciatica pain is often debilitating and usually manifests itself. Because of, pain in the upper leg or a shooting flair down one buttock or the other.
Although there are many causes of leg and foot pain, many of them are actually due to a problem in the lower back but not all. Some chronic pain symptom that manifests at first as a dull ache stays consistent. It can even get worse with movement could be a sign of PAD is peripheral artery disease, a dangerous and often deadly narrowing of the arteries. So every pain should be investigated.
Tendonitis is often the cause of knee pain that can radiate into lower leg pain and foot pain. It is caused by the inability of a tendon in the knee are to heal properly from an injury. The best cure for this type of pain is rest.
Diabetic leg pains are often caused by a complication of diabetes. If you suspect your pain may be diabetes leg pain, see the doctor as soon as possible. This type of pain is often caused by poor circulation and can result in a condition known as neuropathy. Ignoring this pain could lead to infections and even amputation.
Other causes of pain include tarsal tunnel syndrome, arthritis and strains and sprains. Even if the pain causes you are experiencing may not seem to be serious you should still have the doctor look to make sure.
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