Health & Fitness
A Guide for Runners Dealing with Plantar Fasciitis
A perfect how to guide of different treatment options for both at home and at the office. Several techniques can be found at local clinics.
Plantar fasciitis treatment is a common pitfall effecting runners and people that are overweight. Plantar fasciitis involves pain and inflammation of a thick band of tissue, called the plantar fascia, that runs across the bottom of your foot and connects your heel bone to your toes. Plantar fasciitis treatment varies from profession to profession but ultimately it comes down to prevention and taking care of your feet. The plantar fascia is a band of connective tissue that arises on the bottom of the feet. This band of tissue can tighten and cause pain on the underside of the feet. Typically, a person would describe the pain felt as like walking on shards of glass. The pain would be worse in the morning and usually get better throughout the day. Lets look at some of the treatment options both for at home and professional options.
Plantar Fasciitis Treatment Exercises:
Plantar Fasciitis Treatment (Professional)
- Deep Tissue Laser Therapy- This form of therapy will use a laser that is designed to help promote healing and also decrease inflammation. This modality is extremely useful. Early studies are showing a increase in healing as well as improvement on pain assessments
- Physical Therapy- A physical therapy based treatment will be similar to the plantar fasciitis treatment home remedy exercises listed above. A licensed physical therapist will create a specialized set of exercises and stretches designed to improve the overall function of the foot. The focus of the plantar fasciitis exercises will be to stretch the calves and work to decrease the stress and tension that is placed on the achilles tendon.
- Massage Therapy- This is a very important aspect in both prevention of plantar fasciitis but also in treatment of plantar fasciitis. A licensed massage therapist that is trained with a therapeutic approach to massage will be a great choice for getting relief. A therapist can take the time to really work on the tissue surrounding the foot as well as all the muscles that are compensating for the condition.
- Graston Technique- This is a technique that is commonly found in chiropractic offices as well as physical therapy offices. This technique will use a stainless steel tool that is designed to break up adhesions and scar tissue. This technique is extremely effective but also can be on the painful side.
- Podiatrist for shock wave therapy- In this procedure, sound waves are directed at the area of heel pain to stimulate healing. It’s usually used for chronic plantar fasciitis that hasn’t responded to more-conservative treatments. This procedure may cause bruises, swelling, pain, numbness or tingling and has not been shown to be consistently effective.
- Extracorporeal shock wave therapy for treatm… [J Pak Med Assoc. 2014] – PubMed – NCBI
- Custom Orthotics- This is something that a podiatrist or chiropractor can have made for you. The best is going to be a custom mold. Research indicates this will help with pain if the biomechanics in the feet are the problem.
- Effectiveness of orthotic shoe inser… [Am J Sports Med. 1991 Jul-Aug] – PubMed – NCBI
- Steroidal Injections- Multiple injections aren’t recommended because they can weaken your plantar fascia and possibly cause it to rupture, as well as shrink the fat pad covering your heel bone.
- Plantar Fasciitis Treatment Taping
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