There’s something quietly devastating about plantar fasciitis. One day you’re running, walking, or just living your life… and the next, it feels like your feet have betrayed you. I watched this happen to more than a few friends—runners, hikers, busy moms—and at first, I didn’t know what to say. Their lives screeched to a halt. The medical advice? “Stay off your feet.”
Stay off both feet. At all times. Indefinitely.
Sure. I’ll just become a chair-dwelling plant addicted to blue light and scrolling TikTok.
Honestly, I kept thinking: Could they at least suggest pulling your chair outside into the sunshine? Let your feet soak in some healing rays while you’re at it?
So What Is Plantar Fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is inflammation of the thick band of tissue (the plantar fascia) that runs along the bottom of your foot, connecting your heel to your toes. It usually starts as a dull ache, then morphs into a stabbing pain with every step—especially first thing in the morning or after periods of rest. It can affect one or both feet and often worsens over time.
Most common treatment? Ice. Rest. Anti-inflammatories. Stretch. Stay off your feet.
But what no one seems to talk about is nerve health.
The Hidden Piece: Frazzled Nerves and Magnesium Deficiency
When someone has plantar fasciitis, I like to explain it like this: imagine the nerve endings in your feet have split open, like exposed dental roots. They’re raw, frazzled, and now rubbing on the inside of your skin every time you move. It’s not just about the fascia—it’s about irritated, undernourished nerves.
This is where magnesium comes in. Not oral magnesium (which often causes digestive upset and low absorption), but transdermal magnesium—applied directly to the skin.
Why? Because your skin can absorb magnesium up to 80% more effectively this way. Especially when you combine different forms:
- Magnesium oil for deep absorption
- Magnesium body butter for a slow-release effect
- Magnesium roll-on for targeted spots (like the arch or heel)
I once gave a friend—who had just dropped out of a triathlon due to foot pain—a magnesium roll-on and a small bottle of magnesium oil. “Use it two to three times a day,” I said. Two weeks later, she was back. Running a marathon. Pain-free. All she asked was: “Can I get more?”
The Bigger Picture: Nerves Are Everywhere
Plantar fasciitis is just one way nerve pain shows up. But think bigger: if nerves in your feet can get frazzled and cause debilitating pain, what about nerves elsewhere? Your hips? Your neck? Your back? The places massage can’t seem to fix?
We are living in a world stripped of magnesium.
Our ancestors absorbed it from the oceans, hot springs, aquifers, and even while washing vegetables in magnesium-rich water. They swam in it, bathed in it, cooked with it, and grew food with it. It was everywhere. We’ve replaced that with filtered tap water, synthetic fertilizers, and showers that do nothing to nourish the body.
So What Do I Suggest?
For plantar fasciitis and other nerve-related pain:
- Apply magnesium oil twice daily to your feet, legs, or wherever pain lingers
- Use a magnesium roll-on for targeted relief (especially first thing in the morning)
- Rub magnesium body butter into the soles of your feet before bed
- Put your feet up—and into the sun (vitamin D and warmth support healing too)
This isn’t a cure-all. But it’s a start. And it’s a reminder to look at how disconnected we’ve become from nature, and how something as simple as magnesium on your skin can start to restore balance.
Final Thoughts
I’ve now seen this pattern over and over. People using magnesium topically—not just for foot pain, but for cramps, anxiety, nerve tingles, sleep, and joint stiffness. It doesn’t just relax your muscles. It supports your entire nervous system.
Plantar fasciitis might seem like a foot problem. But maybe it’s just the body screaming for nourishment—right beneath our soles.
