Can collagen injections bring relief for your plantar fasciitis symptoms?

Collagen foot injections are becoming a trendy fad in London among women who want to strut their stuff in high heels, but could this pain-relieving procedure soften your plantar fasciitis symptoms?

Injections for heel pain

Causes of heel pain can often be traced back to footwear. Shoes that don’t provide enough support and cushioning won’t soften heel impact when your feet hit the ground. High heel shoes are made in a way that puts strain on your tendons and forces you to walk in a weird position. You know high heels are bad for you, because after you wear them for a few hours they’ll make your feet ache.

Some women have found a solution to the problem in the form of collagen injections. The treatments have become extremely popular in the UK over the past few months, and on this side of the pond many celeb watchers report that it’s a well-known red carpet secret. The injections add padding to the heels and balls of the feet, softening steps right where high-heel wearers need it most.

USA Today reports that the trend is popular among red carpet walkers in the Hollywood jet set. In the US, collagen injections may be supplemented with injections of hyaluronic acid (otherwise known as Restylane) instead. The injections plump your feet and make them softer, the same way it softens the lines on your face.

A viable foot treatment?

But foot specialists and podiatrists say the injections are just a temporary fix for plantar fasciitis symptoms and other foot problems. “It’s a gimmick,” said Dr. Edward Chairman, a podiatrist who practices in Philadelphia. Each injection costs a cool $400 to $500, and it’s not covered by medical insurance.

There are much more affordable ways to relieve your plantar fasciitis symptoms, and much better ways to take care of your feet. Buy a bottle of water (for much, much less than $400) and put it in the freezer. Roll the frozen water around underneath your foot to give yourself a pain-relieving massage. Daily stretching and massaging exercises assuage the pain of plantar fasciitis and help to treat it, but you’ll also need the right footwear. Try to limit your high heel wearing as much as possible, and slip out of them when you can. Supportive athletic shoes are much healthier for your feet.

Learn more about taking care of your feet and relieving the pain in our free special report, Plantar Fasciitis Treatment: 5 Quick Fixes for Immediate Relief.