Inflamation is the body's response to injury increasing blood flow to the damaged area to encourage healing, but sommetimes the body gets carried away and too much of that good thing actually hinders.

Given enough time and no new trauma the fascia will heal. My podiatrist tells me that once I am totally pain free he'll take me off the (prescription) medication. I know athletes who ice after exercise regardless (just ask Michael Flatley).

Stretching is something we will all need to do for life.