Dealing with the agonizing pain of plantar fasciitis can be incredibly frustrating, especially when it comes to identifying the root cause of the problem. It can be difficult to pinpoint the exact source of the pain, adding an extra layer of challenge to the process of diagnosis.
If you’re experiencing pain from plantar fasciitis, it’s your body’s way of telling you that it’s time for a change. Fortunately, there is a simple solution that can alleviate the tightness and promote healing in your feet and lower legs.
Relieve Tightness in the Calf Muscles
Plantar Fasciitis is a common foot condition characterized by intense pain in the heel area. This discomfort is often described as a sharp or stabbing sensation, especially when getting out of bed in the morning or when standing up after prolonged periods of sitting or sleeping. Plantar Fasciitis usually affects the plantar fascia, a thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot, connecting the heel bone to the toes.
The plantar fascia is a band of tissue connecting your heel bone to the base of each toe, serving to absorb shock as you walk and to alleviate pressure when overworked or stressed. If overused or stressed it can become inflamed and painful.
Tightness in the gastrocnemius muscle often leads to increased pressure on the plantar fascia and predisposes you to Plantar Fasciitis.
Stretching the calf muscles can help alleviate Plantar Fasciitis symptoms. There are various stretches you can perform to loosen and relax them.
Re-Educate Your Brain and Nervous System
Re-educating your brain and nervous system is essential in treating plantar fasciitis. This involves learning how to move more easily, developing an internal sense of movement and discovering ways of moving that feel good without risking pain or pushing into discomfort zones.
Movements are performed slowly and deliberately so that the brain has enough time to adjust, learning how to experience movement safely without feeling threatened by it again. Verbal cues, imagery and anatomical education as well as guided awareness practices allow patients to re-pattern their nervous system responses are used during treatment.
Mind-body disconnect is often at the root of issues caused by trauma in our pasts. By working with professionals trained in trauma therapy, these specialists can address this underlying cause so you can reconnect with your body again.
Restore Postural Alignment
Over time, poor posture and body mechanics can throw your spine and joints out of alignment, leading to pain as well as motor deficits that make moving or standing properly more challenging.
To avoid pain and injury, a postural alignment program that will train your body to assume ideal postural alignment will be invaluable in minimizing structural wear-and-tear while optimizing energy efficiency for movement – ultimately improving both appearance and functionality.
Postural Restoration Therapy practitioners will assess your posture and body movement to understand its effect on breathing, everyday movements, athletic performance and quality of life. Once they’ve assessed these factors they create an individual postural alignment plan tailored specifically for you.
Restore Mobility
Plantar Fasciitis is an uncomfortable condition in which inflammation of the plantar fascia (the band of tissue connecting your heel bone to your toes) results in pain on both heels, radiating out into toes. Symptoms typically present themselves on either end; usually in heel.
Doctors may prescribe anti-inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen and other pain relievers to ease inflammation. A heel pad or orthotic may also help alleviate discomfort.
If the pain persists despite at-home treatments, a podiatrist may suggest cortisone injections or surgery as possible solutions. Unfortunately, both may take time for recovery.
Somatic Movement Education (SMA) is an approach to mindful movement that uses your natural stress reflexes to lengthen tight muscles, providing pain relief and improved mobility. SMA helps reset your muscle length at a neurological level for enhanced pain management and mobility gains.
You might also like to read:
plantar fasciitis help
Plantar Fasciitis and Foot Core Strengthening
Plantar Fasciitis and Qi Gong Exercises
