Plantar Fasciitis: Symptoms and Management

Do you or a loved one wake up in the morning with stabbing pain in your feet? Do you feel the same stabbing pain after prolonged inactivity? Do they feel bruised when you’ve walked too long? You may be suffering from Plantar Fasciitis, and Vitality Health & Aesthetics has treatment options that can help you!

What is Plantar Fasciitis and what are the common symptoms?

Our foot has a thick, fibrous band of tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot known as the plantar fascia. This band of tissue runs from the heel of the foot all the way to the toes and when it gets overstretched it can result in micro-tearing that causes varying intensities of inflammation. Factors that contribute to the pain include having no arch, too high of an arch, wearing unsupportive footwear with worn-out or thin soles, or having tight calves and heel cords. In most cases the onset of pain is gradual and may feel like you’re walking on a stone. Common symptoms include stabbing, sharp pain near the heel with the first steps in the morning, pain at the end of the day after being on your feet for a long time, and pain upon standing after prolonged sitting or after exercise. This pain can cause limitations in mobility, daily living activities, and recreational activities.

Why is ShockWave Therapy a great treatment option?

At Vitality Health & Aesthetics we use Shockwave Therapy for the treatment of Plantar Fasciitis. Shockwave therapy or Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT) has emerged as a preferred treatment option for patients suffering from chronic tendon problems. ESWT delivers focused shockwaves to the affected area and has been used for the treatment of a variety of conditions including Plantar Fasciitis. At Vitality Health & Aesthetics, we use low intensity shockwave therapy which includes 3-4 treatments depending on the severity of your condition.

Shockwave Therapy works by inducing microtrauma to the affected tissue. This induced trauma initiates a healing response by the body. The healing response prompts the body to form new blood vessels thereby increasing the delivery of nutrients to the affected area. The microtrauma stimulates a repair process and relieves the symptoms of pain. Shockwave therapy is a non-invasive, drug free option for problems that are sometimes challenging to treat. There are no side effects reported with shockwave therapy.

What else can be done in conjunction with Shockwave Therapy?

In addition to shockwave therapy, it is recommended to do daily stretches to promote the healing process and flexibility. Rolling the bottom of your foot on a tennis ball upon waking up in the morning, and stretching during yoga or pilates classes may be very helpful as well. A combination of shockwave therapy, exercises, manual therapy techniques and patient education can be beneficial. All work together for the purpose of alleviating your pain, improving your mobility, regaining strength and flexibility and getting you back to doing what you love.

Plantar fasciitis pain can be very stubborn and can last anywhere from months to years based on the severity of the symptoms. The longer it goes untreated the more difficult it may be to address the condition.

Contact Vitality Health & Aesthetics today to get rid of your plantar fasciitis!