Those with plantar fasciitis know it’s so much more than a sore foot. What’s more frustrating is it hurts the most first thing in the morning before you’ve even been on your feet. If you’re one of those gripped by debilitating pain as you hobble out of bed, we might be able to help.
It’s ironic that most people complain about their feet hurting after they’ve been on them all day, but plantar fasciitis has the opposite effect. It is caused by small tears and inflammation in the plantar fascia, the long ligament on the bottom of the foot.
While you sleep at night, those small tears heal, and the ligament goes into a phase when it isn’t very flexible. Those first few steps in the morning cause those tears to occur again which results in intense pain. It can also happen after sitting for a while or taking a long car ride.
For years, the recommendation for plantar fasciitis has been anti-inflammatories, shoe inserts, and possibly even steroid injections or surgery in the worst cases. More recently, those affected by this condition are finding more success with an ulterior treatment.
Using a combination of stretching exercises and massage therapy is providing relief for many people diagnosed with plantar fasciitis. Before getting out of bed, or standing after sitting for a while, patients who flex their feet by raising their toes upward stretch out that ligament that causes the problem. It makes the ligament more pliable and likely to do its job without sustaining additional damage. Doing this type of stretch for 30 seconds, 2 – 3 time a day will help patients find relief.
Massage therapy has also made great strides in providing relief against plantar fasciitis. Deep tissue massage to the feet as well as posterior calf muscles has been found to be very effective at relieving and preventing further problems with the condition.
Plantar fasciitis affects a variety of people, but athletes and those who are required to stand a lot for their job are particularly susceptible. Those who are overweight, have very flat feet, or high arches are also at risk.
Many people deal with the pain from this condition for years without seeing any true improvement, and wonder if they should resign themselves to living in pain for the rest of their lives. If you haven’t tried using a combination of stretching and massage therapy, contact us. Our approach has helped many people and there’s no reason why you should continue to suffer when the solution is so simple.
