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Plantar Faciitis

Hi Everyone,

Any good tips on releaving plantar faciitis? Or, can maybe direct me to some information?
Thanks
C.

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Margaret Sexton on July 10, 2009 at 9:22pm

Hi:

Here's a link to an article you may find interesting: http://www.integrative-healthcare.org/mt/archives/2005/08/

Personal note: I generally release the psoas first.

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Permalink Reply by Pamela R Young on July 11, 2009 at 10:40am

Ice by using a frozen water bottle and rolling under foot. Heal cord stretches. Stripping of calf muscles.

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Permalink Reply by Kathleen Adams on July 11, 2009 at 2:48pm

Gosh such wonderful fast replies from everyone! Awesome to have such peerr support! I'd like to see some of this locally in my area and will have to put it out there. I've used a combo of techniques as listed all with 99% success in my 12 years of practice with client's lifestyle guiding my approach.

Namaste
kat

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Permalink Reply by Carrie Alexander on July 11, 2009 at 10:19pm

Thank you Amanda. Where could we get the splint?

Amanda said:

I've worked on many, many runners/walkers who have developed PF. Use Deep cross fiber friction where the flexor digitorum brevis tendon attaches to the calcaneus, and deep tissue massage at the belly of the FDB for at least 10-15 minutes per session. Release the calf and posterior tibialis musculature. Encourage the patient to stretch the calves several times per day between sessions, and ice 2x daily and after heavy activity. Most importantly, they should be sleeping in a night splint that stretches the plantar surface of the foot (it should be no more than a 90 degree angle at the ankle). Every night when they sleep the tissue is plantarflexed and relaxed - this is the position in which the tissue tries to heal uninterrupted for several hours during sleep. Muscle tissue healing is also occuring in a shortened state. Then, first thing in the morning they step on it with the full force of their body weight - this stretches the fascia and FDB too quickly and causes microtears to the tissue that has just healed, thereby reinjuring the tissue. That is why the first step out of bed in the morning, or after sitting for a period, is so painful for PF patients. That pain is re-injury. The night splint keeps the tissue stretched and elongated overnight so the tissue fibers grow together in a more aligned pattern, and the fascia/FDB is already stretched out before they get out of bed and step on it.

Depending on the severity of the pain and how old of an injury it is, it can take several sessions to abolish the pain completely. But I have noticed the best results when patients use the night splint.

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Permalink Reply by Jerry Kontos BS, LMT, NCTMB on July 23, 2009 at 3:44pm

A technique I learned as an Athletic Trainer was to have the patient use a tennis ball and roll the foot over it for 2-5 minutes each night before bed and first thing in the morning before they put their full weight on it.

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Permalink Reply by Susan G. Salvo on July 23, 2009 at 6:59pm

Traditional treatments include rest and use of medications to reduce pain (analgesics) and inflammation (antiinflammatories) may be helpful. Other measures include orthotics that insert in footwear and a night splint to hold the foot in a lengthened position.

For massage, if your client indicates the pain is severe, treat as a local contraindication and use ice on the affected area while massaging non affected areas.

If the symptoms are not severe, elevation and massaging muscles of the leg is helpful, using ice applications afterwards. Cross-fiber friction on the plantar surface of the foot, within the client’s tolerance, may help. Muscles of the leg should be massaged thoroughly first using deep gliding and kneading strokes.

Be sure the client’s ankle is not excessively dorsiflexed by using a bolster while your client is prone and by removing any heavy drape from the feet while your client is supine. Dorsiflex and plantarflex the ankle to stretch leg muscles; be careful not to overstretch them.

A foot soak in warm water may help loosen fascia prior to massage of the affected area.

From Mosby's Pathology for Massage Therapists, second edition.

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Permalink Reply by Debra A. Neirinck on July 24, 2009 at 12:30pm

My suggestion is to release the trigger points in the gastroc. I would also strip the gastroc to release all of the tension pulling through the Achilles tendon to the plantar fascia.

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Permalink Reply by Felicia Brown on July 24, 2009 at 1:38pm

I recommend the Icy Ball for at home use. (Try www.icyball.com or get it on my site where I sell it for clients and therapists.)

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Permalink Reply by Mimi Rhys on January 13, 2010 at 1:14pm

Hi Carrie,
I have had an excrutiating case of PF myself when I worked in a hospital lab. I now do reflexology as part of my practice. My teacher said that reflexology was a highly effective treatment for it, and she had had great results with it.

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Permalink Reply by jill beaulieu on January 27, 2010 at 8:42am

yes, i agree with brian and laura
start with the hips, work proximal to distal with myofascial release and trigger point release
especially the soleus and tibialis anterior
gentle MFR to the plantar fascia and joint mobilize where needed
very important to blend with effleurage and petrissage
or manual lymph drainage
no ice after TP release!
try eccentric stretching for home care

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Permalink Reply by Tom West on January 27, 2010 at 3:43pm

Regular practice using a hard round surface such as a large soup can or a baseball. Put it under your foot and roll it around, this will help alleviate the symptoms! I tend to agree with Brian, the pain associated with PF is a symptom of something else, such as all of the things mentioned in the forum.

Good Luck!