Treat Your Plantar Fasciitis Pain With Physical Therapy
Are you tired of experiencing that sharp pain the first time you take a step each morning? Do you notice that the pain in your heel doesn’t seem to go away? You may be dealing with plantar fasciitis. At The Fitness Lab in Highlands Ranch, Parker, Denver and Greenwood Village, CO[sate-name], our physical therapist will guide you through solutions that work and help you resolve this pain once and for all!
The plantar fascia is a thick band of tissue that runs along the sole and forms a solid mechanical linkage between the heel bone (i.e., calcaneus) and the toes—plantar fasciitis up to 10% of the population in the US.
Plantar fasciitis can prevent people from taking more than a few steps when it is at its worst. This condition can be excruciating and limit even the most basic activities. Fortunately, at The Fitness Lab, our physical therapists are up to date on the most effective treatment techniques to combat this condition.
Request an appointment today and see how our team can help you find relief!
What is plantar fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is a disorder primarily affecting weight-bearing activities. Although poorly understood, plantar fasciitis is thought to have a mechanical origin. This means that the excessive strain on the fascia will produce microscopic tears that lead to pain.
For years the pain was thought to be associated with chronic inflammation; however, the evidence does not support this concept. Inflammation is rarely observed in chronic plantar fasciitis.
Similarly, the role of arch mechanics in the development of plantar fasciitis is highly debated, with little evidence to support this idea. This may, in part, be due to the difficulty in accurately measuring arch mechanics in a live person. Some experts suggest that there are changes to blood flow or degenerative changes in connective tissues responsible for plantar fasciitis development.
This is so important to ensure the treatment is appropriate so you can achieve the results you are hoping for!
What causes plantar fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis is one of the most frustrating conditions to treat due to how long it can resolve. Usually, it will take anywhere from 6-18 months to recover. Fortunately, our team of physical therapists is skilled at working with people that have plantar fasciitis and know what it takes to treat it successfully!
Although anyone can get plantar fasciitis, some common risk factors make you more susceptible. For example, the most common risk factors include:
- Reduced ankle dorsiflexion
- Obesity and/or sedentary lifestyle
- Work-related weight-bearing (i.e., people that stand all day for work)
- Starting or progressing a walking or running program too fast
- Increased mileage for runners
- Pes cavus (high arch) or Pes planus (flat foot)
Although the emphasis was on the arch itself in the past, it appears that the reduced ankle dorsiflexion is the most critical risk factor related to the foot itself. The other common risk factors are lifestyle in nature. The good news is that physical therapy can address all of these factors to eliminate an active case and prevent a future episode!
How physical therapy can help
Our physical therapists can help you resolve your pain and get you on your feet again, pain-free! We will start with an injury evaluation and a biomechanical assessment to identify the physical factors that may be contributing to your pain.
Next, we will dig into the lifestyle factors that may be contributing to your problem, including asking about your daily routine, your exercise schedule, and the demands of your job.
We will use this information to develop a comprehensive program that includes targeted manual techniques, stretching/mobility work to improve dorsiflexion range of motion, strengthening the foot and calf muscles, and any appropriate pain relief technique for relief.
Our team will use whatever method we need to calm the pain early in rehabilitation. This man includes the temporary use of orthotics. The goal is to alleviate pain, and using orthotics is effective in the early stages of rehab. Ideally, the orthotic will be temporary for the majority of people.
Your physical therapist will progress your strength and dynamic stability exercises to restore function and tolerance to walking and standing. Our goal is to provide the foundation for success while reducing future injuries!
Request an appointment with one of our specialists!
At The Fitness Lab, our physical therapists use the most advanced techniques to address your pain and restore your function. If you are frustrated with persistent pain and want results, call our office today!
Your Next Steps…
- Request An Appointment
- Receive A Custom Treatment Plan
- Work Hard and Progress In Your Recovery
- Recover & Enjoy Life Pain-Free
