Relief From Plantar Fasciitis & Flat Feet: Can CBD Help?
This week on the adventures of Wooleylocs and The Doc, we’re gonna talk a bit about the agony of the feet. If you remember our previous article on women's pain, my inspiration was Wooleylocs mom, who was having issues with hip pain and sleep. Well, that wonderful woman also brought to my attention her foot pain, which she mentioned was the result of standing on her feet at work all day. (P.S., big shout out to all the hard working florists out there hooking us up with all those fantastic arrangements that make special occasions even more special. 😊
Since Ms. Tina Marie mentioned it to me, I started noticing a lot of people coming into my office complaining of foot pain. I’ve been hearing different versions of the same thing: “I can’t put my feet on the ground in the morning” or “It feels like I’m stepping on a bed of nails”. Having had plantar fasciitis a couple of times in my life, I know first hand how miserable that feeling is. It’s like somebody’s driving a nail through your heel. 😖
Thanks to my muse, I've taken notice of how common plantar fasciitis and flat feet are, particularly among my sisters. Today, I'm going to shed some light on these conditions, how they're diagnosed, traditional and holistic treatments available, and the intriguing potential of cannabis and CBD products to ease your discomfort. That being said, ain't no more half-stepping, let's go!
What Are Plantar Fasciitis and Flat Feet?
Plantar fasciitis is inflammation of the plantar fascia, a thick band of tissue running along the bottom of your foot from the heel bone to your toes. This inflammation typically causes stabbing heel pain, especially during your first steps in the morning or after sitting for a long period.
Flat feet, or pes planus, is a condition where the arches on the inside of your feet flatten when pressure is applied. Flat feet can lead to additional strain on your plantar fascia, increasing the likelihood of developing plantar fasciitis.
Pearls:
Plantar fasciitis affects around 10% of people in their lifetime and is most common between ages 40-60.
Surprisingly, women are twice as likely to develop plantar fasciitis than men due to footwear and physiological differences.
Symptoms & Diagnosis
Typical symptoms of plantar fascitis include sharp heel pain, swelling, stiffness, and tenderness at the base of your foot. Pain usually worsens after rest or intense activity. Diagnosis generally involves a physical exam, analysis of symptoms, and occasionally imaging (X-rays or ultrasounds) to rule out other conditions.
Pearls:
Most plantar fasciitis pain improves significantly within a year with proper care.
Interestingly, high-impact activities like running or prolonged standing jobs contribute significantly to plantar fasciitis, especially in middle-aged women.
Who's at Higher Risk?
Research suggests that black women ages 30-65 may experience higher incidences due to genetic predispositions, lifestyle factors, and socioeconomic influences that impact access to appropriate footwear and healthcare.
Pearls:
Socioeconomic factors, such as occupation and footwear affordability, significantly influence plantar fasciitis risk.
Wearing high heels regularly can increase your plantar fasciitis risk by up to 50%!
Traditional Treatments: Pros & Cons
Traditional treatments include rest, ice packs, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), physical therapy, orthotics, and corticosteroid injections. While effective, NSAIDs and corticosteroid injections can sometimes cause unwanted side effects, such as gastrointestinal issues or weakening of the plantar fascia over time.
Pearls:
Orthotics significantly improve symptoms in about 85% of people.
Long-term corticosteroid injections can weaken tissues, potentially increasing future injury risk.
Holistic Treatments: Natural Alternatives
Natural therapies include stretching, massage, yoga, acupuncture, and herbal anti-inflammatories like turmeric or ginger. These treatments aim to relieve pain, enhance flexibility, and reduce inflammation without adverse side effects.
Pearls:
Daily stretching reduces plantar fasciitis symptoms by up to 75%.
Acupuncture has been shown to relieve chronic heel pain effectively, even in long-standing cases.
Cannabis & CBD: Innovative Relief
Cannabis and CBD have become increasingly popular as natural treatments due to their anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. CBD interacts with your body's endocannabinoid system to reduce inflammation and manage pain.
Routes of Administration:
Topicals: Immediate relief at the site of pain.
Oral CBD Oils and Tinctures: Systemic relief, great for consistent pain management.
Edibles: Longer-lasting effects, discreet, and convenient.
Pearls:
CBD topicals can start relieving pain in as little as 10 minutes.
Regular CBD usage can also help improve sleep quality, indirectly enhancing your healing process.
Rolling It All Up
If you’re reading this and thinking to yourself that your prayers have been answered…they just might have been. The important thing about prayers though, is that you gotta do your part to make them a reality. I’ve given you a lot of useful information, the rest is up to you 🙂
Understanding plantar fasciitis and flat feet, recognizing your risks, and exploring various treatments—especially the innovative benefits of CBD—can significantly improve your quality of life. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting new supplements or treatments.
If you have questions or need personalized advice, reach out—I’d love to hear from you! Please share this article with family and friends who might benefit from this information. And remember, when you're looking for trusted relief, check out my carefully crafted CBD products at DrDamas.com.
Pearls:
A proactive, holistic approach can dramatically speed your recovery.
Choosing high-quality CBD products like ours ensures maximum benefit and safety.
Take care, sisters—you're stronger than your pain!
