Plantar Fasciitis: Advanced Physiotherapy Treatment

The heel or sole of the foot can experience pain and discomfort due to the common foot condition known as plantar fasciitis. The plantar fascia, a thick band of tissue that runs along the sole of the foot and connects the heel bone to the toes, is typically the source of the plantar fasciitis due to repetitive strain or overuse.

The following are some of the common risk factors of plantar fasciitis:

1. Poor foot mechanics: The plantar fascia can experience additional strain if one has flat feet, high arches, or tight Achilles tendons.
2. Overuse or excessive exercise: Plantar fasciitis can be brought on by strenuous foot activities like long-distance jogging or jumping.
3. Obesity: Being overweight can put the plantar fascia under additional strain, resulting in inflammation.
4. Having tight calf muscles or Achilles tendons.
5. Poor shoe choices: Plantar fasciitis can be exacerbated by shoes with poor arch support or cushioning, especially if they are worn for extended periods of time.
6. Age: The plantar fascia may weaken and become more prone to injury as we age.
7. Occupational risk factors: Plantar fasciitis may be more common in people who stand for lengthy periods of time on hard surfaces, such as industrial workers, teachers, and cashiers.
8. Other medical conditions: Plantar fasciitis risk can also be increased by certain medical diseases like diabetes, thyroid issues, and arthritis.

Common symptoms of plantar fasciitis:

1. Heel or bottom of the foot pain is the most typical sign of plantar fasciitis.
2. The pain may be dull or sharp.
3. After periods of inactivity, such as sitting or lying down, pain is frequently severe in the morning or afterward.

Other common symptoms include:

1. Stiffness or tenderness in the foot
2. Pain that worsens with activity, especially walking or running
3. Swelling or redness in the foot
4. Pain that improves with rest or taking weight off the foot
5. Pain that is felt in one foot but not the other
6. Pain that is worse when climbing stairs or standing on tiptoe
7. Tingling or numbness in the foot, although this is less common.

How to check whether you have plantar fasciitis or not:

There are some self-diagnostic tests that can help identify if you have plantar fasciitis. Here are a few self-diagnostic tests that you can try:

1. Heel pain test: Gently press your thumb along your heel’s underside. Plantar fasciitis may be present if you experience pain or soreness.
2. Stretch test: Flex your toes and ankle towards your body while sitting with your legs straight out in front of you. Plantar fasciitis may be present if your calf muscles and the bottom of your foot feel stretched.
3. Arch test: Try to raise your arch while standing on the affected foot by applying pressure on the foot’s ball with your fingers. Plantar fasciitis may be present if you experience discomfort in your foot’s arch or heel.

Physiotherapy treatment of plantar fasciitis we offer:

Plantar fasciitis can be effectively treated with physiotherapy. A physiotherapist can create a custom treatment plan based on the patient’s symptoms and requirements. Our physiotherapist might use some of the following physiotherapy techniques to treat plantar fasciitis:

1. Stretching exercises:

Our physiotherapist may recommend specific stretching exercises to help loosen tight muscles in the foot and calf, which can relieve stress on the plantar fascia. Such as-

1. • Calf stretch: Put your hands on the wall at shoulder height while facing the wall. Stride backward with one foot, keeping it straight and the heel firmly planted. By keeping your rear heel on the ground, bend the other knee and lean forward. Hold for 15–30 seconds, then alternate sides and do it again.
   • Plantar fascia stretch: Cross one foot over the opposite knee as you sit. As you feel a stretch in the arch of your foot, use your palm to bring your toes back towards your shin. Hold for 15–30 seconds, then alternate sides and do it again.
   • Toe stretch: Legs straight out in front of you when you sit. Wrap the sole of one foot with a towel or resistance band. When you feel a stretch at the bottom of your foot, gently pull back on the towel or band while flexing your toes in the direction of your body. Hold for 15–30 seconds, then alternate sides and do it again.

2. Manual therapy:

   • In order to lessen discomfort and increase mobility, this requires using hands-on methods like myofascial release, soft tissue and joint mobilization, and stretching.

3. Taping or strapping:

   • To support the foot arch and lessen the strain on the plantar fascia, our physiotherapist may use tape or straps.

4. Orthotics:

   • Our physiotherapist will take 3-D scans of your feet and evaluate them for custom-made insoles or sandals. They may also recommend orthotics to support and cushion the foot, easing pressure on the plantar fascia.

5. Ice or heat therapy:

   • Heat or cold therapy might help the affected area feel less painful and inflamed. For greater outcomes, our physiotherapist will show you how to apply ice and heat correctly.

6. Ultrasound therapy:

   • High-frequency sound waves are used in this procedure to encourage healing and lessen inflammation in the plantar fascia.

7. Exercise program:

   • A special exercise program to strengthen the foot and leg muscles may be suggested by the physiotherapist in order to improve foot and ankle stability and lower the chance of plantar fasciitis recurrence. Such as
     • • • Marble pick-up: In front of you, scatter a few marbles on the ground. Use your toes to pick up each marble and put it in a bowl while sitting on a chair. Repeat several times a day for a few minutes. Your flexibility will increase and your foot muscles will get stronger with this workout.
         • Toe curls: Lie back on a chair and place your feet firmly on the floor. You can scrunch a little towel towards you by placing it on the ground in front of you and doing so with your toes. Hold for a short while, then let go. Repeat ten to fifteen times.
         • Ankle circles: Lie back on a chair and place your feet firmly on the floor. Raise one foot off the floor, then slowly circle your ankle. Repeat 10 to 15 times in one direction, then change it up and do it with the opposite foot.
         • Resistance band exercises: The other end of a resistance band should be wrapped around your foot’s ball after being fastened to a stationary object. Flex your foot back towards your body while sitting with your legs straight out in front of you, pulling against the resistance band. 15 to 20 repetitions later switch sides.

8. Advanced physiotherapy treatment:

   • Extracorporeal shockwave therapy.
   • High-intensity class 4 laser therapy.
   • Super inductive system.
   • Tecar therapy.
   • Electrotherapy.

Generally, physiotherapy treatment for plantar fasciitis seeks to reduce pain, increase mobility and flexibility, and stop the problem from getting worse. It’s crucial to consult with a physiotherapist to create a specialized treatment plan that is suited to your particular requirements.