What are the Causes of Plantar Fasciitis?

The causes of Plantar Fasciitis can vary from case to case, resulting in symptoms that can differ in range and severity.

Your likelihood of developing Plantar Fasciitis is dependent on your own personal profile - your lifestyle and level of activity will directly affect your chances of suffering, or successfully avoiding, Plantar Fasciitis.

Main Causes of Plantar Fasciitis

Over-work

Those who are on their feet several hours a day are at greater risk of Plantar Fasciitis as they demand more from their feet and the weight-bearing muscles found there. Prolonged standing or walking as demanded by labour-intensive jobs can make Plantar Fasciitis a possible health risk for hard-working feet.

Sudden Increase or Change in Activity

Plantar Fasciitis can be an unpleasant part of the learning curve when taking up a new form of exercise or increasing the intensity of your regular fitness regime. Placing an unfamiliar amount of pressure on your feet can causing them to sustain injury, especially on the Plantar Fascia muscle itself. A sudden change in terrain or running style can also affect your chances of developing the condition.

Pregnancy

In the same vein, a sudden and unfamiliar weight on the feet can cause Plantar Fasciitis, and many pregnant women may find that they develop the condition in the later stages of pregnancy.

Being Overweight

The over-bearing of weight is the main cause of Plantar Fasciitis and individuals who are overweight or who tend to fluctuate, suddenly gaining weight over a short period have a heightened chance of suffering with this foot condition.

Long, Sustained Periods of Activity

Long distance runners and committed joggers may find that their dedication to sport does, in fact, cause Plantar Fasciitis. Active people are more likely to develop the condition, purely because they demand more of their feet.

Uneven Leg Lengths/ Leg Length Discrepancy

Those who bear their weight differently on each foot, either too heavily on one or over straining to accommodate this weight on the other, can be vulnerable to Plantar Fasciitis, an insole for Leg Length Discrepancy is highly recommended in this case. 

Flat Feet and High Arches

Due to the natural shape of high arches or Flat Feet being unable to efficiently distribute weight across the foot, those who suffer from these foot conditions may find Plantar Fasciitis is more likely to affect them.

Wearing Unsuitable Shoes

Living in high-heels or tight-fitting shoes does all sorts of damage to your feet, and, unsurprisingly, can cause Plantar Fasciitis. Overly soft shoes with little to no arch support can also be a major culprit in causing the condition, as can abruptly changing between high heels and low shoes as the foot struggles to adapt to a constant change in weight distribution.

Gender

To a slight degree, your gender can determine your susceptibility to Plantar Fasciitis, as women appear to be slightly more likely to develop the condition than men. This, of course, can be majorly outweighed by the active lifestyle you keep.

Properly Preventing Plantar Fasciitis

Managing the balance of pressure and weight on your feet is key to preventing the causes of Plantar Fasciitis. Any activities that will obviously place enhanced pressure on your foot are best avoided, or at least not undertaken without suitable shoes and a high-performing insole.  High heels and tight fitting shoes are also likely to cause the condition, as can spending extended periods on your feet.

Of course, life goes on, and you cannot be expected to have your feet in fear of developing Plantar Fasciitis, our range of insoles will mean that either preventing or treating Plantar Fasciitis doesn't have to come between you and getting on with the important things in life. High-performing, durable and versatile, you're sure to find the best insole for you and feet that needn't suffer because of Plantar Fasciitis.

A range of insoles to help stop the onset of Plantar Fasciitis are available at our store.