Why Does Plantar Fasciitis Hurt in the Morning


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Plantar Fasciitis Hurt in the Morning

You may be suffering from plantar fasciitis if stepping out of bed in the morning hurts your heels. When the pain decreases as you move around, but recurs when you’re stood up or sat down for too long, then it’s best to get checked for this common heel pain at Genlife Regenerative Medicine Miami pain clinic.

Plantar fasciitis develops because the tissues at the bottom of the foot are inflamed. According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, two million cases of plantar fasciitis are treated every year and one in 10 people can develop this foot problem.  

Cause of Plantar Fasciitis

The plantar fascia found at the bottom of the feet works like a bowstring-shaped shock-absorber that connects the toes to the heel bone. Tension, stress, and repetitive impact can lead to tearing of this bowstring, which eventually triggers into irritation or inflammation. 

Athletes, gym enthusiasts, professional dancers, and individuals whose work always keeps them on their feet are prone to develop plantar fasciitis. It’s also common among overweight and elderly people, as well as those who keep wearing the wrong shoes without the proper support on the bottom. 

Plantar fasciitis is also termed as “runner’s heal”. Experts in a study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine cited that this condition accounts for 7.8% of runners’ injuries. 

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Morning Pain with Plantar Fasciitis 

When you’re at rest, the blood supply to the feet and heel diminishes and then the ligaments around the foot contract. As soon as you stand up, the ligaments are forced to be stretched and pulled  leading to some pain. 

The good news is that this pain can be resolved with proper management and care. But, if left untreated, the pain and discomfort of plantar fasciitis can hinder your daily activities. It may also lead to problems in the knees, legs, hips, and back.

Ways to Minimize Morning Pain 

Doing warm-ups and stretches before you get up from the bed in the morning can ease the pain of plantar fasciitis. You may also do the following morning exercises to improve the flexibility of ligaments and muscles of your feet. 

  • Curl your toes as if you’re picking up a pencil

This exercise can strengthen the muscles found in the plantar fascia ligament. Do this for five minutes before stepping off your bed. 

  • Draw alphabets with your big toe

This exercise can activate the muscles of your feet in the morning. Slowly sit on the edge of the bed and pretend that your big toe is the tip of the pen or pencil. Start writing as if the bedroom floor is made of sand and repeat the process for as long as you’re comfortable and ready to stand up.

Apart from feet exercises in the morning, you must also consider changing shoes, especially if you do regular workouts that involve running or walking. Look for the ones that give the right support for your foot type. Also, avoid walking barefoot on hard surfaces. If the pain and discomfort doesn’t resolve itself despite these lifestyle changes, don’t delay a visit to our doctors in pain management, Miami for a proper medical evaluation.

Learn more about GenLife Miami pain clinic

At our Miami pain clinic, prior to beginning treatment, your signs and symptoms are thoroughly evaluated to gather an accurate assessment and an objective measurement of your medical needs. Objective measurements allow us a better understanding of the unique attributes of your pain.

When looking for pain management in Miami, there are several options – both surgical and non-surgical. As a doctor for pain management in Miami who believes that surgery should be THE LAST resort, Dr. Mahl utilizes a range of non-surgical treatment options.

If you would like to learn more about prolotherapy and other non-surgical treatment options for pain management, please Contact Us.

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The material contained on this site is for informational purposes only and DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE PROVIDING OF MEDICAL ADVICE, and is not intended to be a substitute for independent professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health.