The Plantar Fascia is a support for the arch of the foot designed to absorb strain. Plantar Fasciitis is an inflammation of the support structure of fibres that make up the Plantar Fascia and is most commonly associated with running or other kinds of vigorous exercise. Symptoms are pain in the heel and bottom of the foot, usually worse during the first steps of the day or after resting the foot. Pain may also occur when bending the foot and toes up towards the shin. The pain typically comes on gradually and affects both feet. In some cases, walking can ease the pain, but in others, the pain is continuous.
PRONATION
Research performed at several universities concluded that an overpronated foot (collapsed arches or flat feet) may increase the risk of developing painful heel conditions.
WHAT ARE HEEL SPURS? Heel spurs are growths of bone on the bottom of the heel. Only visible via X-ray and protruding as much as half an inch, they can cause heel pain. They can be associated with other conditions such as Plantar Fasciitis and Achilles Tendinitis.