Plantar fascitis is usually a deep bruise-like pain that is usually felt on the bottom of the foot towards the base of the heel.  It is often worst with the first step in the morning or at the start of a run.  It is often caused by abnormal stress being placed on the plantar fascia and the plantar aponeurosis.  It can, however, also be caused by some of the deeper structures in the underside of the foot.  These deeper structures include the the flexor digitorum brevis and the quadratus plantae muscles.

Wearing the proper footwear for each respective sport is always the first step in treating and preventing plantar fascitis.  A.R.T can be used to treat the aforementioned structures by relieving some of the tension within these structures.  Often the problem can be caused by a biomechanical imbalance in the foot.  A dropped arch combined with inversion/pronation of the calcaneus can create the plantar fascitis.  The best cure for this problem is custom fitted orthotics.