Plantar Fasciitis Treatment

The plantar fascia is a ligament-like band of connective tissue running from the heel to the ball of the foot.

Plantar fasciitis is a painful condition in which the connective tissue becomes inflamed causing tension and pain in the heel and sole of the foot. The pain is often worse when initially getting out of bed. The pain does wear off after about half an hour, but returns a few hours later after continued use.

Simply put, plantar fasciitis is caused by over-use. It is common in runners, people who spend a lot of time on their feet, or those sitting at a desk with their heels raised off the floor. Historically plantar fasciitis was known as ‘policeman’s heel’ because of the amount of time they spent on their feet.

If untreated, plantar fasciitis can eventually lead to painful bone spurs forming on the back of the heel. Because the constant tension and inflammation can trigger bone growth in the area.

Common medical treatments either prescribe anti-inflammatories or administer steroid injections. In most severe cases, absolute rest is required. These treatments do help with plantar fasciitis, but they only treat the symptoms. Rarely do they heal because they don’t treat the cause of the problem.

Over- use is the cause of the problem but how can a runner stop using his calf muscles? Or a Doctor, a nurse, a policeman or a therapist stop been on their feet per long hours?  One option is to retire…. I don’t think that is a realistic solution.

The real cause of the problem are the restrictions caused by the repetitive use of the calf muscles.   Myofascial Release has proven to be the most effective intervention to decrease soft tissue restrictions in evidence-based studies.