Plantar Fasciitis
No matter how big and tough you may be, pain in the feet can bring you to your knees — both figuratively and literally. One of the most common causes of heel pain is called plantar fasciitis (p.f.), and it occurs when the thick band of tissue on the bottom of your foot becomes inflamed. This tissue, called the plantar fascia, connects your heel to the ball of your foot, and is the primary support for your arches.
What Causes Plantar Fasciitis?
There are different reasons why you might be suffering from p.f.:
- One of the most common is sudden overuse. This can occur if you’re just starting to get back into an exercise routine, or you’ve just started a new job or hobby that requires long hours on your feet.
- Tightness in your calf muscle and Achilles tendon. These are both connected to your plantar fascia, and if they get tight, they can pull on the plantar fascia, leading to excessive stretching.
- Structure of your feet could lend itself to a tendency to suffer from p.f.. Both high arches and flat feet have been linked to p.f., as they can overextend the tissue. This can be further compounded by wearing inappropriate shoes, or “pronating” (rolling your feet inward or outward) while walking.
What to Do If You Suffer from Plantar Fasciitis
There are various treatments and strategies for dealing with p.f., and the right one for you will likely depend on the underlying cause. One of the most promising treatments is called Active Release Techniques (A.R.T.). This involves a manipulation of the soft tissue that make up the plantar fascia, and has been shown to help quickly and permanently resolve issues like plantar fascia.
In A.R.T., a practitioner manipulates the affected area to find the source of the discomfort. Then, with manual manipulation and patient movement, the tissue is released, bringing relief and speeding up the healing process.
While A.R.T. is one of the best plantar fasciitis treatments in Cincinnati, another popular method is Sound Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (SASTM). This treatment uses handheld sonic devices to help break up scar tissue and promote healing. By releasing this scar tissue, the range of motion in the foot can be increased, and the strain from repetitive use can be eased. For some p.f. sufferers, SASTM will prove more effective than manual manipulation.
What to Do If You Want Relief from Your Foot Pain
If you suffer from p.f., the most important thing you can realize is that you’re not alone and there is help. Plantar fasciitis is an extremely common injury, and finding the right soft tissue specialist can be the difference between suffering with every step and walking pain-free for the first time in months.
If you’re ready to take the steps necessary for leaving your p.f. behind, contact us today. Whether your injury would benefit most from A.R.T., SASTM, or another treatment entirely, our experts will help you find the relief you need.
