Recently when I get up from a seated position and I've been sitting for a while I experience a siezing up of my feet. That's the best way to describe it - I feel as though I literally can't put weight easily on my feet as they hurt. After a minute or so the pain subsides and they loosen up. It's almost a cramping sensation but I feel it in the whole foot. Can you help?

You have the classic symptoms of plantar fasciitis. Patients usually complain of pain in the heel when they first step out of bed in the morning but it can also occur after sitting for a period of time. Stretching the plantar fascia before standing will reduce the pain associated with that first step. Place your hands around the ball of the foot and gently pull towards your head. You should feel the pull in your calf also. Standard wall stretches with one foot in front of the other will also stretch the plantar fascia. I would also recommend orthotics or heel cups for your shoes. You can find additional information on Foot.com about plantar fasciitis and the products to treat it. If the pain continues you may need to explore other treatments with your podiatrist.

Suzanne Belyea, DPM, C.Ped.
Medical Director
Foot.com