Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Plantar Fasciitis It’s a Real Pain in the Foot, Knee, Hip, Buttocks, Back…


Written By: Steve Leary, PT
 
If you are new to the diagnosis of plantar fasciitis the above title may or may not apply to you.  Most of you who have suffered from this diagnosis for 6 months or more, can relate to the spreading nature of this all too common diagnosis.  The question that needs to be determined and addressed when it comes to plantar fasciitis is: does the problem come from the plantar fascia or does it come from the knee, hip, buttocks, back….?

It is estimated that plantar fasciitis affects about 10% of the world’s population. Clinically, we see durations that may be as new as several weeks old to as long as 25 or 30 years.  As a Clinic Director of Hands On Physical Therapy here in Bend, Oregon (HandsOnPTBend.com), not a week goes by that we don’t treat at least several patient’s with a plantar fasciitis diagnosis.  Often times these patient’s are frustrated because they have tried all the traditional approaches to get their plantar fasciitis better, yet they are still struggling with the problem. 

I can not over-emphasize the importance of those traditional approaches: appropriate foot stretching and soft tissue work; rest from the offending activity; anti-inflammatory approaches like ice; good foot wear (we will touch on this a little more in this blog, as this is one area where treatment sometimes goes awry).  For those of you who have done these things and are now more than 3 months into your foot pain, it is likely that there is a problem higher up the biomechanical chain (more often than not in the buttocks and hip area).  Weakness and/or impaired flexibility higher up the leg or back can lead to repeatedly placing the foot on the ground in the wrong orientation.  This will negate the incredible spring mechanics of the foot and place increased stress into the plantar fascia. 


Plantar fasciitis is the “what”. To resolve plantar fasciitis you must address the “why”.  No matter how we look at the problem there is a tissue mobility and inflammation problem in the plantar fascia.  Clinically, we typically treat this by trying to calm down the irritation in the plantar fascia through taping the foot into a more biomechanically correct posture.  This can be assisted through supportive foot wear; initially stiffer to allow the inflammatory process to recede, then gradually moving towards a more flexible shoe to allow improved mobility and stretching of the plantar fascia.  The end goal ideally being comfort in barefoot walking.  As the foot pain decreases, the flexibility or stretching component will increase. 

To address the “why”, you must look at the whole biomechanical chain.  After assessing the range of motion, coordination, strength and flexibility of the muscles and joints of the leg and back, you can determine what additional areas need mobility/strength/flexibility.  An exercise plan can be put into place which returns the foot, ankle, knee, hip, pelvis and back to normal coordinated function and ultimately puts the foot into a place where it articulates with the ground properly and the plantar fascia is no longer under undo stress.

To learn more about this thought process on Plantar Fasciitis, please join me, Stephen Leary, PT for the Plantar Fasciitis Clinic at the FootZone on May 15, 2013 at 7 p.m.
 
 
Steve Leary, PT graduated from California State University at Long Beach in 1992 with degrees in Physical Therapy and Psychology. Steve excels in the biomechanical analysis of movement patterns. This ability allows him to get to the root of the dysfunction and problem. As an accomplished collegiate distance runner, he has a special interest in the running population. He volunteers his time monthly to answer questions and give recommendations at FootZone as well as for various running groups. Utilizing his experience in Manual Physical Therapy and knowledge of biomechanics he can tailor a flexibility and strength program specific to each patient’s needs.

19 comments:

Unknown said...

I like the way you elaborate with the help of info-graphics.

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IFA said...

knee pain is really make life worse so if you have problem never neglect visit your doctor.

Unknown said...

nice blog........Plantar Fascitis is very common cause of heel pain and felt more on the inside of the feet. And as mr.bhargava is specialist in Plantar Fascitis treatment, and can instruct in for various exercise, massage to recruit it and also surgery for major cases.

Anonymous said...

Great webpage buddy, I am going to notify this to all my friends and contacts as well. heal plantar fasciitis

Unknown said...

I wasn't aware that 10% of the world's population suffers from plantar fasciitis. I understand that this ailment is very painful. That makes me feel quite a bit of empathy for those who have this, especially those who suffer from it for up to 30 years. Thanks for helping me learn more about this issue. Plantar Fasciitis

Unknown said...

Thanks for sharing this! Lately the bottom of my heel has been killing me, and I think it could be plantar fasciitis. All these symptoms match pretty well with what I have been experiencing too. I'll make sure to find some corrective footwear and visit a podiatrist to check it out. http://www.camdencountyfootandankle.com/library/1915/PlantarFasciitis.html

Unknown said...
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Unknown said...
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Unknown said...

Very Nice blog. I am also suffering from heel pain and Plantar Fascitis is the main cause of heel pain. Thanks for sharing. Plantar Fasciitis

Alex said...

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PhysioPoint said...

Plantar fasciitis is a reason of pain under the heel. An inflammation and pain of your plantar fascia is known as plantar fasciitis

Julie Martin said...

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Pain Management NYC said...

Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of foot pain. It results from irritation of a thick band of tissue, called the plantar fascia, that runs across the bottom of your foot. It connects your heel bone to your toes. People with plantar fasciitis experience pain across the bottom of the foot, typically near the inner part of the heel. Discomfort with plantar fasciitis is more common in the morning after waking up and with strenuous exercise like running, although you may feel the heel pain while simply walking.
If you experience pain in your heel or bottom of your foot with walking, prolonged standing, or when first getting out of bed in the morning, you may be suffering from a foot condition that is commonly diagnosed as Plantar Fasciitis, you need to treat that pain with professional pain management in NYC .

Podiatrists New York City said...
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Podiatrists New York City said...

Plantar Fasciitis can be due to a number of reasons such as old age, wearing uncomfortable shoes, excessive walking or standing on your feet for a long period of time. NY Stem Cell Institute presents the most Effective Treatment for Heel Pain from Podiatrists in New York City

thomaskyteer said...

The heel pain leesburg decreases, the flexibility or stretching component will increase. This can be assisted through supportive foot wear. Really thank you for this blog of yours.

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