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Does the Bottom of Your Heel Hurt in the Morning? It Could Be Plantar Fasciitis—Here’s How Mojo Chat Can Help

Your feet are your daily drivers - your trusty work horses - powering you through morning jogs, long workdays, or a quick dash to the store. But when a sharp, stabbing pain in your heel or arch of your foot strikes, it can bring your day to a screeching halt. If this sounds familiar, you might be dealing with plantar fasciitis, one of the top reasons for foot pain, especially among those 40 years and older. Let’s dive into what plantar fasciitis is, why it’s happening, and how Mojo Chat can help.

What’s Causing Your Foot Pain?

Plantar fasciitis occurs when the plantar fascia—a thick band of tissue running along the bottom of your foot from your heel to your toes—gets inflamed or irritated. This tissue supports the arch of your foot and cushions every step you take. When it’s overstressed, it can develop tiny tears, leading to pain and stiffness, usually felt in the heel or arch of the foot.

Picture the plantar fascia as a strong rubber band. It’s designed to handle tension and spring back to a resting position. But too much strain or tension from either ends of the fascia can cause these layers to shear - causing a blister or bubble between the layers of the fascia. The bubble of fluid is between the layers of the fascia, and then a small amount of healing takes place from the edge inward, trapping the bubble so the fluid is not flushed.

The plantar fascia is an area of the body that has low blood supply and, as such, it is very difficult to clear all the fluid between the layers. This explains why it feels better when you unload it, but worse when you load it again initially. You are basically stepping on the bubble and the freshly healed end-layers are being forced apart again and again. This is why plantar fasciitis can be such a difficult injury to get rid of. It’s not just runners who deal with this—anyone who’s on their feet a lot or has specific risk factors can end up with plantar fasciitis.

Common Causes of Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis doesn’t just show up out of nowhere. Here’s what might be setting it off:

Overuse: Standing for hours, running, or high-impact activities like dancing can overwork the fascia.
Foot Structure: Flat feet, high arches, or an uneven gait can put extra pressure on the fascia.
Tight Calf Muscles: Overuse of calf muscles cause tension on your Achilles tendon while you sleep, which irritates the plantar fascia all night.
Poor Footwear: Worn-out shoes, flip-flops, or anything lacking proper support can trigger or worsen the pain.
Weight and Activity Shifts: Extra body weight piles on pressure, and obesity is a risk factor. Suddenly increasing activity, like diving into a new running routine, can also spark it.
Age: It’s more common between ages 40 and 60, as the fascia loses its springiness over time.

Signs You Might Have Plantar Fasciitis

How can you tell if it’s plantar fasciitis or just a passing ache? Watch for these key signs:

Heel Pain: A sharp or stabbing pain in the heel, especially with your first steps in the morning, which decreases as the morning goes on.
Arch Discomfort: Pain or tightness along the bottom of your foot.
Worse After Rest: Pain that flares up after sitting or sleeping but may ease with movement, only to return after prolonged standing or activity.
Stiffness: Your foot or ankle feels stiff, making it tough to pull your foot back or point your toes.

You’re In Great Hands

At Mojo SportClinic, we treat foot pain and plantar fasciitis every day—and our patients swear by our results. With our online physical therapy platform, Mojo Chat, you can start recovery from home at any time, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Mojo Chat begins with easy to answer questions about your foot, ankle, toes and calves—the exact same questions our physical therapists ask when they see you in person. Then, you can record a quick video to show exactly where it hurts, explain how it started, and share any concerns.

A licensed physical therapist reviews everything and delivers a clear diagnosis, plus a tailored 14-day treatment plan you can start immediately. Mojo Chat guides you daily, lets you ask questions via text or video, and adjusts your plan as you heal. Our therapists track your progress to ensure you’re on the right path. 86% of users who follow the full 14-day treatment plan report significant to full healing. For users who need more help, Mojo Chat guides them to the best in-person physical therapy clinics nearby.

Don’t Put Up With Plantar Fasciitis

If aching, stabbing heel pain is ruining your morning, don’t wait. Start a Mojo Chat case today and take the first step toward relief. If your employer offers Mojo Chat, check with Human Resources for a coupon code. Or, simply use a credit card to get started.

No appointments. No hassle. Just expert help when you need it—anytime, anywhere.

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