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Causes and Treatment Options for Plantar Fasciitis/ Fasciosis – Ottawa

One of the most common foot complaints that we see at Performance Sports Therapy is Plantar Fasciitis/ Fasciosis (PF). This is common among both athletes and non-athletes alike and can be a nagging condition that can linger for many months.

Common causes include increase in load training/ mechanical stress, weak intrinsic foot muscles, improper footwear, tight muscles in the leg or poor walking or running mechanics.

Do you have pain on the bottom of your heel?

The pain in the bottom of the foot is generally better at rest and most intense with the first few steps following inactivity.

If you have any of the following signs/symptoms you should go see a trusted healthcare professional for a proper assessment and diagnosis.

• Pain over the bottom of the heel bone.

• Sharp or burning pain on the sole of the foot when taking the first few steps out of bed in the morning.

• Pain with weight bearing, repetitive walking or running that lessens within 10 minutes of activity. 

• When standing, does passively raising your big toe create pain in the heel?

 Treatment Options:

There are a myriad of treatment options available to someone with PF. We believe that the best approach helps correct the root cause of the problem and not just treat the overlying symptoms! At Performance Sports Therapy we have had great results using the following:

• Soft tissue release that addresses the foot as well as the lower kinetic fascial chain.

• Foot mobilizations, depending on the type of foot to help restore normal joint motion.

• Neurofunctional acupuncture

• Kinesiology taping

• Functional Rehabilitation*

• Orthotics

Exercise Options:

Again, it is always good to have a rehab professional go over what exercises may be best for your current condition and which to avoid.

Usually good rehab exercise plan for PF revolve around the following exercises:

• Intrinsic foot strengthening

• Lower kinetic chain stretching/ Isometric strengthening

• Eccentric loading exercises that address both the Achilles tendon and Plantar Fascia

• Proprioceptive foot exercises

• Exercises that strengthen all the way up the kinetic chain.

Feel free to contact us at Performance Sports Therapy with any questions you may have about your injury.

Dr. Devin Chohan
devin@pstottawa.ca
613-656-3841
http://www.performancesportstherapy.ca/contact

References:

Bolga, L. & Malone, T. (2004). Plantar Fasciitis and the Windlass Mechanism: A Biomechanical Link to Clinical Practice. Journal Of Athletic Training, 39(1), 77-82.

Cheung, J., Zhang, M., & An, K. (2006). Effect of Achilles tendon loading on plantar fascia tension in the standing foot. Clinical Biomechanics, 21(2), 194-203. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2005.09.016

Cole, MD, C. (2005). Plantar Fasciitis: Evidence-Based Review of Diagnosis and Therapy. American Family Physician, 72, 2237-2242.

Pajaczkowsk, J. (2016). LE Integrated Therapeutics Manual (1st ed.). Toronto, Ontario.

Rathleff, M., Mølgaard, C., Fredberg, U., Kaalund, S., Andersen, K., & Jensen, T. et al. (2014). High-load strength training improves outcome in patients with plantar fasciitis: A randomized controlled trial with 12-month follow-up. Scandinavian Journal Of Medicine & Science In Sports, 25(3), e292-e300. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/sms.12313