Plantar Fasciitis is a painful and debilitating condition that can severely limit your ability to engage in activities such as walking, running, and even playing golf, which are known to provide both enjoyment and stress relief. It is a condition that affects the plantar fascia, a thick band of tissue that supports the arch of your foot. When the plantar fascia becomes inflamed or overstretched, it can result in intense heel pain and overall foot discomfort. This condition can dramatically impact your daily life, making it difficult to perform simple tasks and enjoy your favorite physical activities. Proper treatment and management of Plantar Fasciitis are crucial to alleviate pain and regain your mobility.
Excessive and repeated strain on your body can lead to the formation of rigid scar tissue in the injured area. As this scar tissue builds up, it can restrict the movement of your muscles, tendons, and nerves, resulting in a decrease in range of motion, weakened strength, and potential numbness. These symptoms are commonly associated with this condition, which is caused by overuse and repetitive injuries.
Breaking Up Scar Tissue and Adhesions
If you find yourself experiencing the discomfort of plantar fasciitis, exploring art therapy as an alternative method for finding relief could prove to be a fruitful endeavor. The practice of art therapy encompasses a range of techniques specifically created to target scar tissue and adhesions, offering a potential source of effective pain management.
Adhesions are bands of scar tissue that form after injuries or trauma to muscles, tendons, ligaments, and nerves. Adhesions can add extra strain on weakened muscles; reduce joint range of motion; and entrap nerves.
Active Release Technique (ART) can be an excellent way to release adhesions and alleviate your discomfort. A therapist can break apart these adhesions and provide relief through Active Release Therapy (ART).
An ART treatment involves applying pressure to the area of discomfort while performing over 500 movements designed to pinpoint and isolate affected tissues, breaking down scar tissue, increasing blood circulation and encouraging healing.
Relieves Pain
Plantar fasciitis is a chronic foot condition that can cause both pain and stiffness at the bottom of your foot, but fortunately there are effective treatment solutions available to address it.
Physical therapy exercises and stretching programs may strengthen the muscles that support your feet, helping to avoid future injury and inflammation while relieving pain after exercises. Icing your heel could also provide temporary relief.
Active Release Technique (ART), which combines movement with pressure to treat soft tissue conditions, has proven itself effective. First developed in Colorado sports chiropractor Mike Leahy’s office back in the 80s, it now benefits millions worldwide.
This unique healing modality works to break up scar tissue and adhesions that form during your body’s natural process of healing, while improving circulation to aid the process. Art Therapy may also be combined with other treatment modalities like the Graston Technique and laser therapy for maximum benefit.
Increases Circulation
Increased circulation also helps decrease inflammation, making ART an excellent solution for plantar fasciitis.
An ART treatment involves your practitioner using their hands to perform specific movements and manipulations on the fascia and other tissues causing you discomfort, such as scar tissue. These movements aim to increase circulation by providing needed blood flow directly to injured areas, break up scar tissue, improve mobility and flexibility and release any trapped nerves.
ART differs from other soft-tissue treatments in that it combines physical examination and treatment in one process; your practitioner will conduct an exhaustive series of movement tests during an ART treatment session.
Helps Restore Function
Plantar Fasciitis, or inflammation of the tissue at the bottom of the foot, is a very common condition among both athletes and non-athletes alike. It often results from constant activity (such as long distance running), overuse or wearing shoes that don’t fit correctly.
Art Therapy can be an effective solution to Plantar Fasciitis, as it can relieve both pain and restore function by breaking up scar tissue adhesions that restrict movement. Therapists utilize pressure, friction, and stretching techniques to manipulate tissues in order to break up scar tissue and ease any associated discomfort.
ART has also been shown to promote both left and right hemisphere stimulation as well as neuroplasticity, helping the body heal itself. ART can be especially helpful for people suffering traumatic brain injuries or stroke, helping increase cognitive, sensorimotor functions, interpersonal skills and self-esteem; relieving stress while giving clients an outlet for their emotions.
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