plantar fascitis help please (EXCELLENT THREAD)

[mnkypprs]

Does anyone have any information on the treatment of plantar fascitis?

 

[DEFINATELY BLESSED]

plantar fascitis help please

plantar fasciitis. Yeah.  I would recommend that you or who ever is having the problems wear shoes around your home all of the time. Make sure your shoes are supportive and do not bend in the middle of the arch. Over the counter arch supports or orthotics can do wonders too,Stertching: You should also begin some gentle calf stretching exercises. The runner's stretch leaning forward against the wall for 10 seconds on each leg and repeating 10 times would be good.Strengthening: Toe curls or trying to pull a towel towards you by grasping a towel on a smooth floor can also be helpful.Massage: Using the thumb and with steady, firm pressure go from the ball of the foot back towards the heel. At the heel insertion, apply strong pressure and perform cross fiber friction - hurts like hell, but really offers tremendous relief and helps things heal properly again. Anti-inflammatory: Ice, Ice baby!In combination this will help virtually all incidents of plantar fascitis. One other tool to be recommended for chronic problems is a "boot" to be worn at night that holds the calf/foot in a stretched position. Ask your local orthopod or medical supply house where you can get one.Lots of luck!

 

[a.e.b]

plantar fascitis help please

Here's something I've found useful for myself (and to recommend to clients as a form of 'self help' maintenance), but I have to give credit where credit is due. I found this hint in a health and fitness link on msn... I think it was Kathy Smith. In addition to strengthening the muscles and supporting the arch with 'toe - towel grasping', try rolling the foot over frozen golf balls: a nice combination of cryotherapy and self massage. Honestly, this helps (as does the proper footwear!) sagetherapist

 

[StopAdmin]

plantar fascitis help please

try picking up this months Massage Therapy mag.  I think I saw an issue on just that topic.

 

[Un Chin C]

plantar fascitis help please

Plantar fascitis can find some relief by using a slow, fascial stretching movement on the distal portion of the lower leg posterior to the fibula. Slowly opening the fascia in a line with the fibula that reaches to just anterior to the achilles tendon.  This will allow the tension in the calves to release the pull on the tendons running through the foot. I hope you can picture this, I tried to be as descriptive as I could.

 

[Mohawk]

plantar fascitis help please

Kate, you might want to consider giving your client some homework.  There are some great stretches that you can have them do at home using a tennis ball.  Have them stand on a tennis ball with one foot.  You'll need to address all 9 points of the foot starting under the big toe, mid-way down the foot on the medial side and the posterior end of the foot on the medial side.  Continue this pattern down the mid-line of the sole and then the lateral side.  Have them use as much pressure as they can tolerate comfortably.  It's used in Pilates and my clients seem to like it.  Also, remember to tell them to broaden the space between their navel and sternum while keeping their shoulders down.  Hope you got this and good luck.  Joe.

 

[Pompal 09.]

plantar fascitis help please

There is value in all the techinques posted so far.  I tend to lean more toward the homework side.  I have had good success with having the patients get a big mouth glass jar (approx 3" dia) and fill it with ice, then water.  while sitting (even watching TV) roll the jar on the floor with the foot pressing with the area where it hurts.   It takes about 6 weeks of doing this several times a day ... but the cure is lasting and the treatment non-evasive.

 

[owlbeback]

plantar fascitis help please

Kate,I had to do a review on Plantar Fascitis some years back that you might be interested in. Its not really long but would happy to email it to you if you'd like? It discusses the basic etiology, examination, treatment protocols and take home exercises for this condition. Will check back in a few days and see what you think. Regards, flight.

 

[Lover of Life]

plantar fascitis help please

I have both had plantar fascitis and am a MT so here ismy take on what has worked.Self help- stretching, specifically wearing shoes and wedging the foot against a wall so that the stretch isfelt in the foot as well as the calf. A step also works, let the foot drop off the step so that the heel hits the ground.This was immensely helpful but can be intense.Massage-these are gentle joint mobilizations that release tension in the foot without killing your hands trying to knead it out.  Client is prone. Bend the lower leg at the knee so the foot is in your hands (like you are going to do a quad stretch but stop at the 90 degree angle). In one hand hold the heel, in the other the top of the foot.Wring/twist the two ends against each other- push the heel back on a horizontal plane, pull the ball of the foot towards you-like you are wringing a wash cloth. Start gently and at a high speed, gradually twist the foot more strongly and slowly as the muscles relax. Clients with tight feet will feel tingling and warmth as circulation is improved.  Now, move the one hand from the heel to the center of the instep, around the level of the cunieforms and do the same twist/wring thing. This will release tension in muscles around the cunieform joints. Then, gently bend each toe joint towards the instep. Just a nice gentle flexion.You can also rotate the heel in a gentle circle.There is also a technique of shearing the ankle jointbut I think that is too hard to describe here.Lastly, be sure to work everters and inverters as wellas all other muscles of the lower leg as they are all affected by plantar fascitis not just the gastroc or soleus.These gentle joint mobilizations when done for mewere the first time I was pain free in months. My feet felt wonderful and now I do a modified form of these on myself for mtc.Also, don't forget to assess any  possible trigger points referring to that area.Good luck.Michelle

 

[Pompal 09.]

plantar fascitis help please

The massage therapy magazine article mentioned above should be in the Fall 2002 issue. I think. : Good luck!

 

[Joseph Black]

plantar fascitis help please

Yes - Fall 2002 page 76

 

[Some Chick]

plantar fascitis help please

Birkenstock are thr shoes to wear.  I have family members with plantar fascitis and they swear by this brand of shoe.

http://www.birkenstockcentral.com/

 

[Pompal 09.]

plantar fascitis help please

I use a lot of the homework that was listed above, but a small observation I have made.  Have them watch the surfaces that they walk on.  I noticed that clients that walk on polished cement have a harder time then those who walk on a surface that has traction.  Polish cement will be found in factories, Warehouse stores (home depot, costco, etc.)  The surfaces in stores are concrete with tile and do little to alleviate the problem.  Not that they cant be helped, it just might take a little longer.  Dont get discouraged-- You will help them in the long run.

 

[Mike H]

plantar fascitis help please

[quote author=sagetherapist link=board=mass_tech;num=1029812967;start=0#2 date=08/27/02 at 15:15:31] towel grasping', try rolling the foot over frozen golf balls: a nice combination of cryotherapy and self massage. Honestly, this helps (as does the proper footwear!) sagetherapist[/quote]Almost exactly what I have advised ...GREAT thought about freezing the golf balls, thanks.Marbles work great too.I also soak my feet when PF symptoms arise.Robyn

 

[Ed J]

plantar fascitis help please

I just posted a reply about tennis elbow and using the Muscle Release Technique as a remedy.  I think it fits here too.  Get the videos.  The technique is so profoundly simple that I felt like I should have already known how to do it.  Also, check out Aaron Mattes' Active Isolated Stretching work.  He is referenced by 3 of the premier therapists in the country that I have had the privelage of learning from.

 

[??hi?]

plantar fascitis help please

Doing dorsi flexion before getting out of bed can really help if you have pain as soon as you stand up.  A cold pop can or frozen bottle of water works great, too, for rollin under the arch.  I bought the small knobby pet toys that I keep under my desk and roll under my arches whenever I'm sitting there. If you know any PTs or athletic trainers, proper taping can help, too.Scav

 

[leah g.]

plantar fascitis help please

To Daniel Wells--Thank you!  I began to think no one was ever going to mention the absolute best technique of any mentioned.  I use the Muscle Release Technique (Michael Young--but very similar to Aaron Mattes), almost exclusively for any kind of pain.  It has become the usual thing for someone with Plantar Fasciitis to come in limping, and go out smiling, and knowing what they can do to make sure the pain doesn't come back because we're treating the cause (tight, short muscles in the leg and foot), and not just symptoms.  

I usually suggest they purchase Michael Young's Stretch Video--I buy them in quantity and sell them at cost.  The website is  

http://www.mrtherapy.com/  

If taking the workshop isn't possible, get the training tapes!  Great!

 

[zombieombie]

plantar fascitis help please

I realize this post may be old, but hey, why not.Just by reading the posts, I noticed no one really mentioned the possibility of knee and ankle structural stability. Typically in my clinic in a case of plantar fasciitis, while tight calves are a major issue, I also find a displaced Talus and Posterior Displaced Tibia due to tight Hamstrings. I treat the hamstrings, calves and plantar fascia, realign the Talus manually and realign the knee. The patient then is given hamstring stretches especially biceps femoris. If the client is a female, chances are they're knee needs alot of work besides the displaced tibia.

 

[Greg0rz]

plantar fascitis help please

 I noticed Michael Young's course, Repetitive Use Injury Therapy was mentioned on this thread, and I have to definitely support it!  This is a continuing education class that is definitely worth the time and money!  I have worked on six people with carpal tunnel,  four with plantar fascitis, and three with some form of tendonitis using the tecniques from his class and all the aforementioned people are completely pain free!!!

 

[Pompal 09.]

plantar fascitis help please

Reactive, I also have had experience with a client who had very tight calves and hamstrings who, while getting temporary relief from massage, needed to have her talus/foot bones realigned.  The ball and heel of her foot would swell up and would get visually and palpably better within a couple of minutes from massaging proximally. Would you explain how we massage therapists can manually realign the talus? If too lenghty or complicated, would you point us to a book or video?