Plantar fasciitis is when the plantar fascia is dysfunctional and the attachment point at the heel begins to fail and release painful proteins. Usually this is due to long-term damage to the connective tissue itself. A lifetime of buildups of advanced glycation endproducts, abnormal proteins formed in the setting of excess glucose, can make the fascia thick and perform poorly.

Chronic low-grade inflammation and oxidative stress, which cause most chronic diseases, leads to the dysfunctional tissue as well. Many complain that the first few steps in the morning are the worst for pain. Others report that the pain is intense after long periods of inactivity.

The role of the plantar fascia is to provide support for the overall foot structure. When it becomes irritated this can lead to excruciating pain. The initiation of symptoms from plantar fasciitis could come from many different things, such as; running, the shoes you wear, the surfaces you stand on, increased activity levels, the structure of the foot, or the weight one carries. However, most of the problem is from the reasons discussed above.

There are different things you can do to help relieve the pain of plantar fasciitis. Things such as stretching, icing, and physical therapy.

Research has found that Omega-3 has great anti-inflammatory properties that may help decrease the pain caused by inflammation in the plantar fascia. Many studies have found that adults that consume more fish oil supplements have less joint stiffness and pain. This is one of the reasons that the Mediterranean lifestyle is so beneficial for those at risk for arthritis.