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Plantar Fasciitis Program

Plantar Fasciitis Treatment Program

What is Plantar Fascia and Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar Fascia is a thick band of tissue that runs across the bottom of your foot and connects your heel bone to your toes.

Under normal circumstances, your plantar fascia acts like a shock-absorbing bowstring, supporting the arch of your foot.

If tension and stress on that bowstring become too great, small tears can arise in the fascia. Repetitive strain and tearing can cause the fascia to become irritated or inflamed, which is called Plantar Fasciitis.

Such strain injury can be from excessive running or walk, poor shoes and compensating pattern of the intrinsic foot muscles.

Why is it painful?

Plantar Fasciitis Treatment Program

1. Check the biomechanics of foot, ankle and leg

Find out what is the main source giving stress on the foot.

For example, decreased ankle dorsi- flexion or toe extension in the swing phase indicate decreased flexibility in the plantar fascia and toe flexors.

Over-pronated foot in mid-stance presents with decreased strength and flexibility in the muscle group in medial arch.

We can find out in the walking analysis and physical exam (manual muscle testing and range of motion exam).

2. Reactivate the foot intrinsic muscles

Foot intrinsic muscles are key to success in foot treatment. This is the stabilizer of the foot making the other muscles being less fatigued while doing standing or walking activities. Once the intrinsic muscles become more activated with trigger point therapy and stretching program, other tissues including plantar fascia will be relaxed and less strained.

3. Eccentric exercise program and consistent stretch program

Eccentric exercise is more effectively releasing the scar tissues than static stretching method. Eccentric heel raise and down exercise can be performed in the box or on the stair. It can progress to single leg heel raise and adding the weight cuff.

Consistent stretching program for plantar fascia, toe and calf muscles are crucial in healing process

4. Shockwave Therapy

Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy(ESWT) induces an immediate analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect, as well as long-term tissue regeneration.

For the resistant pain in the heel, shock wave can be the most effective alternative tool to regenerate the tissues in the plantar fascia.

5. Myofascial release treatment

If there is tenderness in the foot, ankle or plantar fascia, poor circulation can be the source of the pain. The problem side lower quadrant abdomen and hip flexor myofascial release can decrease the tenderness in the foot as it will increase the circulation towards the foot.

6. Arch muscle group (Abductor hallucis, Tibialis posterior) trigger point therapy

These muscle groups are assisting to maintain the arch of the foot. Trigger points on these muscles result in the arch weakness and over-pronation. Trigger point therapy increases flexibility and strength of these muscles. You can feel more arch activation while walking after release trigger points.

7. Plantar Fascia massage with a ball

Roll the tennis or lacrosse ball with your foot applying partial body weight for 3 to 5 minutes in a day

Your Next Steps…

  1. Request An Appointment

  2. Receive A Custom Treatment Plan

  3. Work Hard and Progress In Your Recovery

  4. Recover & Enjoy Life Pain-Free!

Get Back To Your Pain-Free And Active Life!