Do you have pain, irritation, or swelling on the bottom of your feet? Do you have heel or arch pain as well? It could be plantar fasciitis, a common condition caused by excessive stretching of the plantar fascia. The plantar fascia is that wide, thick band of fibrous tissue that runs along the bottom surface of your feet. It attaches to the bottom of your heel bone and extends to the forefoot.

What happens throughout the day is that you walk and your plantar fascia gets stretched. The next morning that same plantar fascia is now tight and you probably have started feeling some discomfort. Some of you may be carrying around a little extra weight, have arch problems, or a tight Achilles tendon, and that may contribute to this problem.

Now our feet are pretty important and foot pain will likely make you seek help. Your podiatrist or doctor may prescribe orthotics, anti-inflammatory medications, or other treatments, such as massage therapy, for your plantar fasciitis.

You already know that the area being massaged will be warmed first. During your session, massage will not be limited to your feet. The back of your lower leg will also receive attention because there is a deep calf muscle, tibialis posterior, which helps to support your arches. For those who like deep pressure, warm-up with a gradual increase in pressure will be done. Even though your feet are strong, we need to watch your pain tolerance level. Your plantar fascia will be stretched. This may be a bit uncomfortable, but it is necessary.

So if you have plantar fasciitis and your doctor or podiatrist has done all they can do, massage therapy may just hit the spot.