How We Treat Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis is a fairly common disease of the foot, which is manifested by pain in the medial area of the longitudinal plantar arch that can radiate to the heel (patients with heel problems) and / or to the ends of the metatarsals. Adults between the ages of 30 and 60 with occupations that involve a lot of time spent standing are usually affected by. Plantar pain usually occurs insidiously and progressively worsens over the course of a few months, reaching moderate to severe pain. The patient ends up going to the doctor and is diagnosed with plantar fasciitis only 2-3 months after the first of symptoms.
Plantar fascia is one of the most common causes of heel pain. This involves the inflammation of a thick strip of tissue that passes through the lower leg and connects the heel bone to the toes (plantar fascia).
Plantar fasciitis usually causes intense pain that occurs with the first steps taken in the morning. As you get up and move more, the pain normally subsides, but may return after long periods of standing or after getting up from your chair.
Plantar fasciitis is also more common in runners. In addition, overweight people and those who wear shoes with inadequate support have an increased risk of developing plantar fasciitis.
Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common orthopedic complaints. The ligaments of the plantar fascia face a lot of wear and tear in daily life. Normally, these ligaments act as shock absorbers, supporting the arch of the foot. Too much pressure on the legs can damage or tear the ligaments; the plantar fascia becomes inflamed, and the inflammation causes pain and stiffness in the heel.
Cause:
In theory plantar fasciitis occurs due to irritation of the thick tissue that forms the arch of the foot. This is one of the main transmitters of weight on the foot while walking or running. Therefore, the stress placed on this tissue is extraordinary.
You have a higher risk of developing plantar fasciitis if you are overweight or obese. This is due to the increased pressure on the ligaments of the plantar fascia, especially if you have a sudden weight gain. Pregnant women often suffer from plantar fasciitis, especially during late pregnancy.
Athletes who run long distances are more likely to develop problems with the plantar fascia.
Also at risk are people who have a very active job, which involves standing for a long time, such as working in a factory or restaurant waiter. Active men and women between the ages of 40 and 70 are at the highest risk for plantar fasciitis.
If you have structural foot problems, such as a very high arch or very flat feet, you may develop plantar fasciitis. A tense Achilles tendon can also lead to plantar fascia pain. Simply wearing shoes with soft soles and inappropriate arch support can also lead to plantar fasciitis.
Complications of plantar fasciitis
Ignoring the plantar fasciitis can lead to very chronic pain that will impede normal activities. Changing the way you move to minimize specific plantar fasciitis pain can lead to foot, knee, hip or back problems.
Symptom
The major complaint of those with plantar fasciitis is pain in the sole in the heel area. But some people suffer from pain in the lower middle of the sole of the foot. It develops gradually over time. It usually affects only one leg, but can affect both feet. Some people describe the pain as bearable, while others experience sharp pain. Some people feel a burning or pain in the sole of the foot that extends beyond the heel.
The pain is usually more intense in the morning, when you take your first steps, or if you lie down or sit on the chair for longer. Climbing stairs can be very difficult due to the rigidity of the heel.
After prolonged activity, pain may occur due to increased inflammation. The pain is not usually felt during the activity, but rather after stopping.
Although plantar fasciitis can occur without an obvious cause, factors that may increase the risk of developing plantar fasciitis include:
- Age Plantar fasciitis is most common between the ages of 40 and 60.
- Certain types of exercise Activities that put a lot of stress on the heel and attached tissues – such as long distance running, jumping, ballet dancing and aerobic dancing – can contribute to the faster onset of plantar fasciitis.
- Foot mechanics: Having a flat foot, a high arch, or even an abnormal walking pattern can affect how the weight is distributed when standing, thus adding additional stress to the plantar fascia.
- Obesity: Excess weight puts extra stress on the plantar fascia.
- Occupations that will force you to stand for a long time. Factory workers, teachers and those who spend most of their working hours walking
Therapeutic treatment
The treatment in plantar fasciitis is not a standard one but must be individualized for each patient. This must be the main aspect that every therapist must keep in mind. In Yumeiho therapy we adapt the treatment taking into account each particularity of the patient.
Given that in plantar fasciitis we are dealing with chronic inflammation, a rapid recovery cannot be achieved, and the patient must understand this from the beginning. The therapeutic strategy will involve several directions of treatment and there will be a decrease in pain to the level of slight discomfort from the first sessions, but a complete disappearance of pain is achieved in at least 8-10 sessions.
Treatment for heel pain caused by plantar fasciitis begins with simple steps. The first thing is to identify the anatomical structures that cause suffering. An experienced Yumeiho therapist will know how to analyze your posture and identify the causes of the condition. Only after this will we move on to the actual treatment which will include elements such as the specific massage, stretching and passive gymnastics. As in any other condition treated with Yumeiho therapy, the goal of each sessions is to achieve your postural balance and to be pain-free.
Your Yumeiho therapist can also show you exercises to relax the lower leg muscles, helping to stabilize gait and decrease the workload of the plantar fascia.