Plantar Fasciitis is a very common condition that involves inflammation of the fascia on the sole of the foot. This can be a daily affliction with sharp stabbing pain usually at its worse with the first steps in the morning or after standing too long. The pain may either be in the heal or at any point along the fascia, a thick band of fibrous tissue that extends from the heal to the toes on the soles of the feet.
What causes it
The reasons leading to the development of this condition are varied and usually a result of a combination of contributors in individuals. Repetitive overuse activities, changes in walking gait from an injury, falling arches, improper shoes, weight gain can all lead to micro tears. These tears can heal improperly, or simply aren’t allowed enough time to heal causing scaring and adhesions. This leads to the disruption in the normal functional striated elasticity and subsequent inflammation.
How to treat
In many cases, Plantar Fasciitis can become progressively worse and possibly chronic if not properly addressed. An effective treatment strategy focuses on breaking up the dysfunctional adhesions, decreasing the inflammation and mitigating the exacerbating activities until the feet are healed. By far the best treatment that I have found for quick effective results is the integration of massage with acupuncture. Massage works to break up the stuck segments and get them to heal back into a functioning unit and acupuncture helps with the overall inflammatory reduction and healing process. After treating this ailment for over a decade I’ve had patients swear by the dramatic results and elimination of pain. This of course should be in conjunction with addressing the more chronic stressors such as structural issues and proper stretching.
Questions
Don’t hesitate to come to me with any questions. I will work with you to find the right treatment options for you. Schedule a free ten-minute consultation to see how I might be able to help.
