If you have plantar fasciitis, you may have noticed that it feels worse in the morning. The condition is infamous for this symptom, so you aren’t encountering anything unusual.
But why is the pain worse in the morning?
And what actually helps to relieve it?
In this guide by the Foot Specialists of Birmingham, we’ll explain the reason why you (and millions of others with plantar fasciitis) have worse heel pain in the morning, and share different approaches you can take to start your days with less heel pain.
Short Overview of Plantar Fasciitis
To understand and troubleshoot your plantar fasciitis-induced heel pain in the morning, it helps to get a brief refresher on the basics of the condition.
“Plantar fasciitis is, by definition, an inflammation of the plantar fascia” that occurs due to overworking or injuring it (source). Heel pain in the morning is actually a characteristic symptom of the condition.
Although plantar fasciitis is extremely common among athletes, it is not just a sports injury; it’s the most common cause of heel pain, period. An estimated two million Americans are currently suffering from the condition—people at all levels of activity, from those who sit at desks all day to Olympic athletes.
Why Plantar Fasciitis Causes Heel Pain in the Morning
In essence, the reason for increased heel pain in the morning is that the tiny, inflamed fissures in the plantar fascia begin to heal during sleep, and the tissue tightens, only to be abruptly re-stretched and reopened upon moving in the morning, re-inflaming the tissue.
As you may have noticed, the morning heel pain, inflexibility, stiffness, and tension tend to ease gradually as the day goes on and the plantar fascia stretches more with each step.
Ways to Ease Morning Heel Pain
Even though it may lessen throughout the day, morning heel pain from plantar fasciitis is just like any other kind of pain: you just want it to go away. More severe cases can make getting ready for work and getting out the door in the morning agonizing, or even impossible.
You shouldn’t just live with pain like that when there are many methods you can try to find relief.
Instead of ignoring your heel pain in the morning, here are some avenues for relief that you can try:
- Wearing the Right Shoes
- Night Splints
- Cold Therapy (Icing your heel/sole of foot)
- Custom Orthotics
- OTC Pain Medication (NSAIDs)
Got Persisent Heel Pain in the Morning?
If none of the above have worked for you, or you’ve noticed your heel pain in the morning becoming worse, it’s time to see a podiatrist.
Heel pain sufferers in central Alabama, looking for heel pain help: you’ve come to the right place. We aren’t just bloggers—we’re the Foot Specialists of Birmingham! Our podiatry practice specializes in plantar fasciitis care, and our leading podiatrist, Dr. Linde, would be glad to create a custom treatment plan to get you the pain relief you’ve been longing for.
Becoming a patient and making your first appointment with us is easy. Contact our office and ask about becoming a new patient. From there, our friendly staff will guide you step by step through the rest of the process and get you on our schedule.
