The plantar fascia is a dense, fibrous band. It works to stabilize the foot and provide a protective shield to vulnerable nerves and vessels located on the bottom of your foot. This band originates from the medial calcaneal tubercle, located at the bottom of the heel just before the arch, and attaches to all five toes.
The band’s purpose is to stabilize the foot during your gait cycle. During heel strike, the band provides slack to allow your foot to accommodate for uneven surfaces. As your weight shifts to your forefoot and the heel lifts, the plantar fascia shortens. Therefore, creating a stiff lever to propel you forward.
Plantar Fasciitis is caused by a repetitive strain that exceeds the tissue threshold. The leading cause of plantar fasciitis is fallen arches, or better known as “flat feet.” Most people with plantar fasciitis exhibit tightness in their calf muscles. As a result, this causes increased strain on the fascia.
Research has shown a strong correlation between calf muscle tightness and the severity of plantar fasciitis symptoms. When the calf muscles are too tight, they limit the ankle’s ability to dorsiflex (moving your toes towards the shin). This result forces the plantar fascia to accommodate for the loss of motion, putting too much stretch on the band.