06 Mar EFFECTIVE TREATMENT OF PLANTAR FASCITIS
Plantar Fasciitis has become a very common condition that is associated with over pronation (the natural side-to-side movement of the foot as you walk or run) of the foot. Because the foot is so interrelated with the whole body, compensatory changes to the plantar fascitis can affect the entire body.
Clinical findings of the plantar fascitis:
- Heel pain upon first morning step
- Heel pain after prolong sitting
- Tenderness to the medial arch on bottom surface of foot or around the heel
- An increase in weight gain or increase in activity level
The pathomechanics of the pain syndrome relates to the stretching of the plantar fascitis tendons, amplified when weight bearing increases tension thus irritating the periosteum leading to pain. If not corrected this could eventually lead to a heel spur.
My treatment protocol has been extremely successful with over 90% of my cases.
Treatment must address the areas of weakness and dysfunction:
- Adjusting the foot to correct structural malalignments
- Perform myofascial release to the involved soft tissue
- A simple figure eight taping to help support the medial arch, which will usually provide significant short-term relief
- Often it is necessary to custom fit the patient with orthotics to resolve the problem, usually for good