Term
Plantar Fasciitis
The heel pain condition that patients tend to self-diagnose and announce upon arrival — often correctly, sometimes dramatically, occasionally in both feet and one hand.
The plantar fascia is a fibrous connective tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot from heel to toes. Unlike muscle, it does not contract and relax — it just transmits force. When that tissue is irritated or stressed beyond its load tolerance, you get plantar fasciitis: typically a stabbing pain at the heel, worst first thing in the morning when you take your first steps.
As Jason notes, patients usually arrive having already diagnosed themselves. This is not the worst thing — patient-led diagnosis here is fairly reliable — but the “fasciitis” suffix implies inflammation, and the current research suggests the pathology is more degenerative than inflammatory. Hence why NSAIDs are not always the right answer and why “just rest it” tends to make things worse. This is a load-management problem.
Common contributing factors: tight calf musculature, inadequate hip and glute strength, sudden changes in training volume or footwear. Common bad advice mentioned in the episode: mustard in your socks. The show covered it. Do not put mustard in your socks.
First seen in Plantar Fasciitis: Fixes That Actually Work.