Plantar fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is pain under the heel, typically sharpest in the first steps of the morning or after sitting.

• Signs: pain under or inside the heel, sometimes along the arch, easing after a few minutes of walking and returning after long standing.
• Common causes: a quick rise in running, long hours on your feet, tight calves, worn or very flat shoes.
• What usually helps: run less for a while, stretch calves and sole (toes pulled up before getting out of bed), slow heel raises daily, cushioned shoes, no barefoot walking on hard floors. Recovery often takes weeks to months.
• See a doctor or physiotherapist if it follows a fall, the heel swells, you feel numbness or tingling, it hurts at night or is no better after 2 weeks.