Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of foot pain today. This ligament can get a lot of use each day as it supports your foot arch, helps you walk, and connects your toes to the heel of your foot, so it should be treated appropriately when it becomes inflamed and sore. Here are some recommendations to help you treat the pain and discomfort of this type of heel pain while you treat it for healing.

Rest Your Body and Mind 

When a part of your body is in pain, especially your heel that you use whenever you walk and stand, it can cause physical and mental discomfort. With constant heel pain, you might find your nerves and patience strained. It is important to rest your mind as you rest and heal your foot every day, as much as possible, so you can promote healing. 

If you live a busy life on your feet throughout the day, it is recommended to make it a priority to rest in a chair and prop up your foot while you ice your heel for 15 to 20 minutes at least three times a day. This minimum amount of rest while you treat the inflammation will increase your body's ability to heal the injury and its inflammation.

Next, with some natural teas you can also provide relaxation and additional rest to your body. You might be not sleeping well or you might be suffering from anxiety as a result of your painful injury. You can make up a Valerian tea to help relax your muscles, as it has tranquilizing properties, and help you sleep, as it is a strong natural sedative. Valerian also helps treat your anxiety and reduce stress you may be suffering from.

Place one teaspoon of Valerian root into a square of cheesecloth, tie it together with string and place it into a mug. Boil some water in a kettle. After the water boils, pour eight ounces of boiling water over the Valerian root. Allow it to steep for 15 minutes then you can enjoy your tea.

Treat the Pain and Heal the Injury

One of the most convenient ways to treat your heel pain is by taking over-the-counter pain relievers, such as naproxin or ibuprofen. You can also see your doctor about receiving a steroid injection to help with the pain. Your doctor, someone from a place like Cortez Foot & Ankle Specialists, can inject your ligament with a corticosteroid and treat the skin externally with corticosteroids and electrical currents to transfer the treatment into your muscle. Another method of healing your doctor can provide you is with a shock wave therapy to stimulate healing in your heel. 

Your foot doctor can prescribe you with an orthotic shoe insert to provide support to your heel and relieve excess pressure from your heel. You can also wear a foot brace while you sleep at night, which keeps your foot flexed and stretched to relieve heel pain when you wake in the morning. Wearing a immobilizing orthotic boot on your foot can also help alleviate strain on your plantar fasciitis to help it heal better.

Physical therapy and foot exercises are a big part of treating your heel injury. Your podiatrist will recommend certain exercises for you to complete during physical therapy and to complete on your own at home.

One exercise you can complete at home is with the use of a frozen water bottle. Place the water bottle on the floor and cover the bottle with a towel. Place your foot over the bottle so the arch of your foot rests on the bottle. Slowly roll the arch of your foot forward and backward over the bottle for five minutes at a time. 

Use this information to help you treat a plantar fasciitis heel injury.