Plantar Fasciitis: Two Simple Stretches to Relieve Pain

Most of us don’t really think about our plantar fascia until we suddenly wake up one morning with sharp pains in the heel of the foot.  Plantar fasciitis (inflammation to the plantar fascia ligament) is most commonly caused by strain injury causing micro tears to the ligament as it attaches to the heel bone or other areas of tightness on the sole of the foot.

Plantar fasciitis is common for runners, dancers, or those who wear high-heels on a regular basis. It can be extremely painful, but can most definitely be cured and/or prevented by making sure to stretch your calves and plantar fascia (arch of the foot). We will discuss Plantar Fasciitis more in depth later on this week, but today I wanted to share with you two simple stretches that can be done daily to help prevent and heal this common ailment.

 

  1. Calf Stretch 
  2. Plantar flexion – Dorsiflexion towel stretch 

 

These exercises stretch muscles at the back of the lower leg (the calf) and the Achilles tendon. Perform these exercises 2 or 4 times a day.