Plantar Fasciitis is a common condition that affects the ability to walk and run comfortably. It is characterized by pain at the front of the base of the calcaneus (heel bone), although it can migrate forward across the arch of the foot.
Possible causes of plantar fasciitis include:
- Poor flexibility of the calf muscles
- No arch support and poor footwear choices
- Sudden increase in activity level
- Excessive pronation of the ankle or repetitive stress
Plantar fasciitis-related pain can be reduced through physiotherapy. This treatment treats the underlying causes of plantar fasciitis rather than simply managing the symptoms through self-help techniques.
Here are 5 ways that physiotherapy can help:
- Reducing pain with manual therapy and other modalities.
Manual therapy and joint mobilization can help reduce pain and improve mobility. Laser therapy and acupuncture can alleviate pain and inflammation to speed your recovery. - Stretching and strengthening exercises for the calf muscles, intrinsic foot muscles and the plantar fascia itself.
Targeted treatment via individualized exercises and stretches can address specific drivers of your symptoms. Knowing when to stretch and when and what to strengthen are keys to recovery. - Biomechanical corrections, including gait analysis
Analyzing your gait will help to identify abnormal or non-optimal movement patterns that may be worsening stress on the plantar fascia. It is important to assess the body as a whole to understand why you've developed a repetitive strain injury like plantar fasciitis. - Education and advice regarding activity modification and return to activity
To avoid delaying your recovery, it is essential to understand how to modify your activities to limit aggravating your symptoms. Gradual, supervised return to activity is crucial for preventing the recurrence of plantar fasciitis. - Functional and proprioceptive training
Balance and coordination exercises help improve foot and ankle function and can help prevent further injury. These exercises and treatments go beyond simple strengthening and are designed to improve whole body mechanics. If you are having difficulty with standing on one foot, going up on your toes, or even moving your toes individually, please check out our blog about the "TOE-GA" test!
Don't forget to check out our next post where we discuss some commonly missed issues in ongoing heel pain!
