PLANTARFASCITIS & HEEL PAIN
Heel pain is the most common foot complaint of patients presenting to physical therapy, and Plantar Fasciitis is the most common cause of this heel pain in both active and sedentary patients.
Most cases of plantar fasciitis are the result of a biomechanical fault that causes abnormal pronation, or flattening of the arch of the foot. Tightness in the calf muscles can lead to prolonged pronation of the foot, and in turn produces repetitive over stretching of the plantar fascia leading to inflammation and thickening of the tendon. As the fascia thickens it loses flexibility and strength.
The most appropriate treatment for the painful heel involves some method to decrease the strain on the plantar fascia. The inflammatory component of the injury needs to be addressed as well as the underlying biomechanics which predispose to the over-stretch on the fascia.
Orthopedic felting and posting techniques can be applied to correct abnormalities once the foot biomechanics are analyzed in both weight bearing and non-weight bearing. Usually, this intervention will involve reducing the flattening of the arch to prevent excess strain on the plantar fascia.
Taping techniques are also particularly useful in offloading the plantar fascia to allow an environment in which the inflammation can settle.
Specific muscle and soft tissue stretches and massage techniques, the use of night splints and a regime of intrinsic muscle strengthening exercises as well as anti-inflammatory ice massage will yield optimal results in this often debilitating condition.
