The plantar fascia is a tendon that runs along the bottom of your foot from the heel to the ball of your foot. It is what sets the tension for the arch and is not meant to be a weight-bearing structure, that is a job for the heel. However, when your body is not resting it's weight properly on the heel due to a misalignment at the ankle or above, weight can shift to the plantar fascia. Just like a block stacking game where the blocks slowly go off center from the base, the weight will eventually topple the block tower. But you don't topple, because other parts of you body take on the job of helping you balance. This added tension and pressure can cause pain and inflammation. That is why pushing up into the plantar fascia with more aggressive arch support does not correct the original issue: the misalignment at the ankle and the improper distribution of pressure.