Over 2 million people have this condition annually.
DEFINITION
Plantar fasciitis (PLAN-tur fas-e-I-tis) 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 is one of the most common causes of heel pain.
Plantar fasciitis is particularly common in runners. In addition, people who are overweight, women who are pregnant and those who wear shoes with inadequate support are at risk of plantar fasciitis.(1)
CAUSES
Plantar fasciitis is caused by sports which involve running dancing and jumping; overpronation which over stretches the fascia, over tight calf muscles causes over stretching and inflammation; high arches or flat feet; excessive walking in inappropriate unsupportive footwear and being over weight impacts the foot (2).
WHAT MAKES IT WORSE?
- Walking with no shoes can stress the arches of the feet
- Walking up stairs
- Wearing the wrong shoes
- Running and in particular sprinting (on balls of feet and putting lots of stress on plantar fascia). This is especially the case in the wrong training shoes
- Being a woman! Though, this is due to the type of footwear commonly worn
- Being overweight
- Walking incorrectly
CONVENTIONAL TREATMENT
- Stay off your feet
- Ice 3-4xs per day and after activity
- Walk less and low impact exercise
- Arch supports
- Stretching
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory
- Corticosteroids
- Physical therapy to stretch and strengthen lower leg muscles, and taping
- Night splints to stretch the calf in a lengthened position overnight
- Orthotics to distribute the pressure
Severe cases are treated with sound waves (extracorporeal shock wave therapy), which can stimulate healing but also causes bruising swelling, pain numbness and tingling. Not consistently affective
Surgery is another solution for extreme pain.
THE BOWEN SOLUTION
The Bowen technique has specific protocols for treating plantar fasciitis. It involves working with the position of the leg and the ankle joint. Tight calves and other leg issues can be easily treated. The technique includes taping. Results are rapid and do not involve invasive surgery medications splints expensive orthotics or drugs.
Bowen can help.
1.http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/plantar-fasciitis/DS00508
2. http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/sport-injuries/foot-heel-pain/plantar-fasciitis
3. http://www.bowenhealing.com/injury/heel
Alexis Touyz