• 27 Nov 2023
• |
• By Admin

What Is Plantar Fasciitis? Role Of Physiotherapy In Treating & Managing Plantar Fasciitis?

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Plantar fasciitis is a common cause of heel pain that affects the plantar fascia ligament in the foot. This thick band of fibrous tissue runs across the bottom of the foot and connects the heel bone to the toes. Plantar fasciitis causes stabbing pain in the heel, especially with the first steps in the morning or after long periods of rest. While the pain may resolve on its own, physiotherapy can play an instrumental role in treating and managing this uncomfortable condition.

What Causes Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis arises from small tears or inflammation of the plantar fascia. Factors that can contribute to this include:

• Tight calf muscles that put extra strain on the plantar fascia
• Excess weight/obesity which places added pressure on the feet
• High arches or flat feet that cause mechanical imbalances
• Sudden increases in physical activity like running or hiking
• Worn out shoes with inadequate arch support
• Heel spurs that irritate the plantar fascia

Symptoms

The typical symptoms of plantar fasciitis are:

• Sharp stabbing pain in the heel, especially when taking the first steps after resting
• Pain that is worse in the morning and slowly improves once the foot limbers up
• Lingering mild ache in the heel throughout the day
• Tightness or stiffness in the bottom of the foot
• Heel, arch, or foot pain that worsens with climbing stairs or long periods of standing

The Role of Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy employs various conservative treatment techniques to relieve pain, promote healing, and correct underlying imbalances causing plantar fasciitis. Common approaches include:

• Plantar fascia stretching exercises like flexing the toes or rolling the arch over a tennis ball
• Calf muscle stretches to reduce tightness and strain on the plantar fascia
• Massage and trigger point therapy to loosen tight bands and relax muscles
• Taping the foot to support the arch and take tension off the plantar fascia
• Orthotics or arch supports to improve foot biomechanics
• Strapping or night splints to passively stretch the plantar fascia overnight
• Extracorporeal shockwave therapy to stimulate tissue regeneration
• Ultrasound or cold laser therapy to reduce inflammation
• Gait analysis and activity modification to avoid re-injury
• Physiotherapy also focuses on building lower limb and core strength through exercises. This provides stability and takes pressure off the irritated plantar fascia. Simple home exercises may be prescribed along with clinic-based treatments.

Conclusion

In most cases, plantar fasciitis can be successfully treated with physiotherapy without surgery or injections.

However, it is important to get an accurate diagnosis and customized treatment plan. To assess your heel pain and start effective physiotherapy for plantar fasciitis, schedule an appointment with the certified physiotherapists at CureNow.

Visit us at CureNow.in to schedule an appointment with our UK-trained and certified Physiotherapists, and take the first step towards healing.

Visit us at CureNow.in now.

CureNow Wellness Pvt. Ltd.

F-Residences, Shop # 25, First Floor, Wadgaon Sheri, Kalyani Nagar Annexe, Pune - 411014, Maharashtra

Mobile No : 9545345300