Summer is a great time of year. The warm weather makes it fun to be outside with family and friends. Most of the time, I find myself either barefoot or in sandals. And sure enough, after a few days of the increased activity and lack of proper shoes, I pay the price -- my heels and arch hurt.

The pain is usually localized to the inside heel and arch. The first few steps I take in the morning are very painful or if I have been sitting for any length of time and then get up to walk. The pain often resolves after walking a few steps or after several minutes. These are classic symptoms of plantar fascitis.

The plantar fascia is a band of tissue on the bottom of the foot. It originates on the heel bone and attaches out toward the toes. It acts like a ligament supporting the arch of the foot. Plantar fascitis is inflammation to this band of tissue.

Symptoms are usually the result of increased activity, length of time on your feet, and improper shoe wear. The biomechanical effect of having flat feet, a limb length discrepancy, or being overweight can cause fascitis. Plantar fascitis is an extremely common condition that frequently resolves with simple nonsurgical treatment.

Anti-inflammatory medication, ice, cortisone injections, orthotics, physical therapy, extra-corporeal shock wave therapy, alone, or in combination are a few examples that can be very effective treatments.