What is plantar fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain. It involves inflammation of a thick band of tissue that runs across the bottom of your foot and connects your calcaneus (heel bone) to your toes (plantar fascia).
Plantar fasciitis is more common in runners or people who are overweight and those who wear shoes with inadequate support. It may also cause tension in surrounding muscles and quite often the pain in the heel is described as a stabbing pain.
What are the symptoms of plantar fasciitis?
Symptoms are normally in the bottom of the foot ( plantar area) and around the heel bone. Patients describe their pain like a stabbing very intense pain which is worse after waking up in the morning, taking the first steps or standing for a long period of time. The pain is usually worse after exercise not during it.
What causes plantar fasciitis?
The main cause of plantar fasciitis is the poor mechanics of the feet, either over-pronated or over-supinated feet. An over-pronated foot overstretches the plantar fascia creating excessive tension on the affected area and that's the most common cause of plantar fascia. Also an over-supinated foot compresses the fascia on the plantar area of the foot.
Also muscle imbalances in the posterior kinetic chain can create a lot of tension on the calf muscle, achilles tendon and plantar fascia. A common dysfunctional pattern is the gastrocnemius muscle (calf muscle) working hard to an under-active gluteus maximus (glutes) muscle (sedentary lifestyle is one of the main causes of this dysfunctional pattern).
Furthermore repetitive strains, poor quality of shoes, exercising in a hard surface
and wearing heels quite often can also cause similar symptoms on the plantar fascia.
Risk factors for plantar fasciitis
Foot mechanics is the most common risk factor to develop plantar fasciitis (mentioned above). Also specific type of exercises like Zumba, running, ballet, dancing etc... load the heel in a great amount and repetitively and that contribute to an earlier onset of the symptoms.
Obesity and occupations that keep you on your feet all day long can also stress and damage the plantar fascia.
Did you know?
Ignoring plantar fasciitis may result in chronic heel pain that hinders your regular activities. Changing the way you walk to minimise plantar fasciitis pain might lead to foot, knee, hip or back problems.
Recommended Treatment for Plantar Fasciitis
Physiotherapy treatment will reduce pain and speed up the healing process so that you can get back to sports and to your daily activities as quickly as possible.
Physiotherapy https://www.physiopattern.com/physiotherapy
Neurokinetic https://www.physiopattern.com/neurokinetic-therapy
are highly recommended for this kind of problems.
Shockwave Therapy https://www.physiopattern.com/shockwave-therapy
Tecar Therapy https://www.physiopattern.com/tecar-therapy
Acupuncture https://www.physiopattern.com/acupuncture
Kinesio-Tape https://www.physiopattern.com/kinesio-tape
can also be very beneficial.
If you would like more information of how Physio Pattern Manchester can help with this condition, or to book an assessment please call
Leading Physiotherapy Provider in Manchester. Plantar fasciitis treatment in Manchester, Physiotherapy Treatment in Manchester city centre, Northern Quarter, Ancoats.Physio Manchester, Manchester Physio, Physio Manchester City Centre, Physiotherapy clinic in Manchester.