Planter Fasciitis killing your foot?

Pain, swelling, tenderness, and the difficulty in walking are all symptoms of having planter fasciitis. It happens to be the most common cause of foot pain in athletes. The common cause is overuse due to running on hard surfaces or prolonged standing, poor technique, over-training, and any activity that requires excessive use of the calf muscles such as dancing and jumping.

Pre-disposing factors may include excessive weight-gain, pregnancy, improper footwear, overused tight calf muscles, and poor foot bio-mechanics.

Medical intervention for plantar-fasciitis may include corticosteroid injections and even surgery. However, this should be considered only after all other treatments have been exhausted.

For direct hands-on treatment, Massage Therapy is an option that you may want to consider. In many cases, alleviating the tension may actually reduce the occurrence and the number of acute attacks of planter fasciitis. Massage Therapy with the assistance of cold hydrotherapy can help reduce inflammation and swelling in the affected area during an acute attack. With more chronic cases of plantar fasciitis, Massage Therapy is used to remove local muscle tension and tightness in the affected and compensating muscles. Trigger points, fascial restrictions, and lack of blood circulation can all be helped with Massage Therapy. By directly lengthening and relaxing the muscles involved in the calf and foot, the likelihood of attacks due to tight immobile muscles will be decreased.

Home care is essential for helping plantar fasciitis. Stretching of the calves and the use of regular ice after activities can go a long way in preventing plantar-fasciitis. Orthotics and orthopaedics, such as orthotic insoles, shoes, and stalkings may also be considered as stop-measures to prevent regular attacks.

Call us or visit us at www.donmillshealthcare.com to book an assessment and appointment to treat your plantar fasciitis with Massage Therapy, Chiropractic Physiotherapy, Acupuncture and Orthopaedics today.

Gary Chung, RMT, BSc.
Registered Massage Therapist
Certified Reflexologist