Plantar fasciitis (commonly referred to as a “heel spur”) is a common cause of heel pain and affects about 2.5 million people each year in the U.S.

The ligament that stretches along the bottom of the foot (the plantar fascia) is responsible for maintaining the arch of your foot. When the plantar fascia pulls away from the bone, your heel becomes painful. Your body may react by filling this space with new bone - a heel spur. Most people think that heel spurs are the cause of their foot pain - but the pain is actually caused by the inflammation or irritation of your plantar fascia muscle.

Plantar fasciitis is caused by a number of factors and is a common sports injury among runners, walkers and athletes. Overweight people and those whose jobs require a lot of standing or walking are also at higher risk. Other factors leading to plantar fasciitis include flat- or high-arched feet, worn out or improper shoes, jogging on sand - and increasing age.