My plantar fasciitis is so bad I can't walk: What should I do?

Plantar fasciitis is a condition that involves pain in the heel. The pain is caused by inflammation in the band that runs from the heel to the toes, called the plantar fascia. The inflammation is often caused by overuse or strain on the band. Patients who suffer from this condition often experience sharp, stabbing pain in their heels. People who didn’t wear supportive shoes growing up often report developing this condition, but it’s also common in runners or those who have excess body weight. The symptoms of plantar fasciitis typically are worse in the mornings when first getting out of bed due to inactivity for an extensive period of time. They’re also worse after sitting for long periods of time during the day.

Why might plantar fasciitis become so bad that you can’t walk?

The reason why your feet might hurt so bad that you can’t walk is because of inflammation in the plantar fascia. The pain can result from excessive weight and stress on the band. This type of pain can feel difficult to deal with, which is why we’ve listed some tips below.

What are some things you can do to help manage plantar fasciitis that’s so bad you can’t walk?

• Take pain relievers — One of the best ways to immediately manage your pain is to take pain-relieving medication. If your plantar fasciitis is so bad that you can’t walk, try using medication temporarily, to get you on your feet again. This isn’t a good long-term solution, but might help you start walking with less pain.
• Try physical therapy — Physical therapy is a long-term treatment method for plantar fasciitis. It may take a few weeks to begin to see the results, but with consistent effort, the results will last longer than medication. If your plantar fasciitis frequently flares up and gets so bad that you can’t walk, therapists can show you tips for improving your walking habits to prevent flare-ups and even mobilize the joints in your feet. In some cases, your physician might recommend you visit a physical therapist for treatment.
• Use braces or splints — You might benefit from using braces or splints to keep your plantar fascia band as immobile as possible. These devices help prevent aggravating the inflammation in the foot.
• Wear better shoes or orthotics — The most recommended thing for people with plantar fasciitis is to buy more supportive footwear or invest in a good pair of orthotics. The inflammation in the plantar fascia band can be caused by a lack of support and excessive strain on the band.

Why should you go to physical therapy for your plantar fasciitis when it’s gotten so bad that you can’t walk comfortably anymore?

• It can improve your level of pain — Physical therapy can potentially help reduce some of that pain in your feet. Physical therapists can work with you to gently and efficiently stretch the plantar fascia while reducing some of the inflammation in that tendon. They can also teach you pain management skills. 
• It can help you learn how to support your feet — Physical therapists can also show you some of the ways you can support your feet. They might provide specific devices for you to try, like orthotics. They’ll also help you develop stronger muscles around the plantar fascia band to protect it in the future.
• It can reduce the inflammation in your feet — Physical therapists can help you work to reduce some of that irritation in your plantar fascia. They’ll encourage you to rest your feet whenever possible in an effort to prevent aggravating the area any more than necessary.

Alliance PTP is ready to help you find top-notch PT for your plantar fasciitis when it causes you so much pain that you feel like you can’t walk

At Alliance Physical Therapy Partners, we’re proudly bringing together physical therapy practices across the country to help people get the high-quality PT they need. 

Want to see a physical therapist in person? We can put you in touch with an Alliance PTP partner that’s close to you and that can help you address your plantar fasciitis. If it has gotten so bad to the point where you can’t walk without being in a significant amount of pain, it’s time for you to try physical therapy. Working with a physical therapist can help you reduce your pain and support your plantar fascia for improved comfort when walking. 

Not keen on in-person PT sessions or not close to an Alliance PTP partner? No worries. We also offer effective and affordable virtual physical therapy through our Agile Virtual Physical Therapy platform. 

Come find help for your injury or chronic condition today!