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Oh, my aching feet!

The pain of plantar fasciitis is common and treatable.

One of the most common foot problems is plantar fasciitis, yet most folks have never heard the term.

Ease foot pain by avoiding high-impact exercise: It puts stress on the arch.

Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of the connective tissue (the plantar fascia) that runs along the bottom of the foot, from the heel up to the ball of the foot. The fascia's role is to support the arch of the foot, acting like a "shock absorber" for the body. Once the fascia becomes inflamed, pressure from the body's weight causes pain. The reason it hurts more after prolonged periods off your feet, such as after you've been sitting for a long while or after a night of sleep, is because the tissue contracts slightly during inactivity. When you get up and load the fascia with your weight, it stretches -- and you do a painful dance in your first few steps.

Several conditions, some of which you can control, increase your risk for developing plantar fasciitis. Just remember these five S's:

Sports. Exercise that is high-impact, like jogging and basketball, can predispose you to plantar fasciitis because it puts a lot of stress on the arch of the foot.

Size. If you are overweight or pregnant, the extra weight can strain the fascia.

Shape. Physical characteristics such as flat feet or high arches can increase stress on the plantar fascia.

Shoes. Wearing shoes that have stiff, hard heels and little or no arch support puts greater strain on the plantar fascia.

Sickness. Some medical conditions, including arthritis of the feet and diabetes, raise the risk for developing plantar fasciitis.

For the most part, plantar fasciitis can be treated effectively without the need for major intervention, such as surgery. A cornerstone of treatment is consistent, gentle stretching of the fascia. For some people, simply lying back in bed and flexing the feet for 30 to 60 seconds before getting up may be all that's necessary. For others with more difficult cases, treatment may include physical therapy, night splints, orthotic shoe inserts (to support the arches) or anti-inflammatory medicines. Only the most severe cases usually require surgery.

Besides doing stretching and therapeutic interventions, changing any of the five S's that you can will help keep you on the move and pain-free.

Contributing Editor Tedd Mitchell, M.D., president of the renowned Cooper Clinic in Dallas, writes HealthSmart every week.