How to ease the pain of plantar fasciitis - or how to prevent the condition?

Common condition: Plantar fasciitis is a very common condition and its treatment centers around reducing the inflammation to the area. Treatment can take many different directions: nsaids like Motrin (etc), liniments, massage, stretching exercises, night splint, better shoes/inserts, orthotics (you can not get this at a stores scanner), steroid injections, laser therapy or physical therapy. Very few need surgery.

NEED FOR SUPPORT!: Most shoes aren't that bad, usually it's the crummy insoles they come with! there are many possibe reasons (plantar fascitis leaps to mind) that you may have pain in the heels, but try arch supports like spenco polysorb insoles (http://www.Spenco.Com/products/footcare/poly-sorb) and otc anti-inflammatories (like aleve). If these don't help, see a podiatrist.

Combo treatment. : If you have plantar fasciitis, and hurt most with the first few steps in the morning, the more you can do together, the better: #1: supportive shoes. #2: firm inserts or orthotics. #3: oral antiinflammatories (check with your doctor). #4: stretching your foot and calf. #5: icing (10 min at a time). You may also need physical therapy or cortisone injections, or eswt if available in your area.