Plantar Fasciitis—It's a Mental Game of Sole Support

As I sit at the woman's feet, her voice cracking with emotion, she begins to unravel the numerous months of trials and efforts she's endured before arriving at this moment. In her vulnerability, she inadvertently offers a glimpse into her mental state as she relaxes during treatment and unburdens her mind. 

Each morning, she tiptoes to the edge of her bed, gripped by anxiety, knowing that the first step will usher in pain—sometimes intense, sometimes mild, but always present. It's been relentless for over a year, and the toll it's taking is palpable. In this moment, I assure her that we're here for her. I see her, I understand the pain—after all, it's our daily bread and butter. Yet, I don't trivialize her suffering.

As a podiatry assistant, I execute the treatment plans crafted by the podiatrists I collaborate with. One of my core responsibilities is acting as a treatment coordinator, guiding patients through their journey and educating them along the way.  What strikes me most during these conversations is the profound impact foot conditions have on mental well-being.  And what is getting to this women is Plantar Fascitiis.

Plantar fasciitis stands out as one of the most debilitating conditions we encounter in our Podiatry rooms and is often trivialised or downplayed. Characterized by sharp, heel pain after rest—especially upon rising—it's a constant companion, plaguing individuals as they navigate daily routines. Its relentless nature takes a significant toll and can often lead to secondary negative health outcomes such as weight gain and also impact mental health.

In Australia alone, over 900,000 individuals grapple with heel pain, with those aged 45-64 bearing the brunt of this condition, although it can impact all ages. Termed plantar fasciopathy interchangeably, this ailment is renowned as the leading cause of chronic inferior heel pain. Risk factors abound, including obesity, prolonged standing occupations, pes planus foot type, limited ankle dorsiflexion, plantar heel spurs, and running.  Despite its prevalence, effective management of plantar fasciitis remains a challenge.

Plantar fasciitis varies in severity, and a staged, multidisciplinary approach often yields optimal results. However, I've noticed a troubling trend: many sufferers don't know where to turn for relief. Instead of seeking help from a podiatrist, which should be their first point of call.  Many are not accessing the care they need to combat this condition.  Determined to address this gap, I envisioned a product that would offer superior support, accessibility, and affordability—a helpful first-line option for combatting plantar fasciitis pain. While it's often just one piece of the puzzle, in some cases, it's enough to alleviate mechanical strain and kickstart the journey toward mobility and strength.

The woman from the opening paragraph believed she was alone in her struggle. She questioned why such a seemingly trivial issue was affecting her so profoundly. Yet, she wasn't alone. Week after week, I encountered others like her, all echoing the same sentiment. Their shared experiences puzzled me. Why did they think they were the only ones? Reassuringly, I'd offer them solace, promising that together, we'd navigate the path to recovery through hard work and time. The flood of gratitude-filled calls post-treatment was immensely rewarding. But it saddened me to think that so many had felt isolated in their struggles, unaware of potential solutions. Motivated by this, I resolved to develop a viable first-line option for those that could not access help due to mny reasons such as time constraints, afforadability and education.