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If you’re experiencing chronic heel pain, the cause might be plantar fasciitis. In fact, plantar fasciitis is one of the most common types of heel pains. According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), “Plantar fasciitis occurs in about 10% of the general population, with 83% of these patients being active working adults between 25 and 65 years.”
ChiroCare of Florida, as well as other medical professionals, have been seeing a great deal of success with Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) for patients who are suffering from plantar fasciitis. This technique is also referred to as muscle scraping.
The plantar fascia is a thick band of tissue that connects your toes with your heel bone. Because it runs along the base of the foot, walking, standing, and running have a disproportionate effect on the collagen fibers that comprise the plantar fascia. Plantar fasciitis occurs when there is swelling in the region. The pain is caused by increased pressure on the nerves.
There are several reasons that plantar fasciitis might develop. Here are some of the most common causes:
Most people with plantar fasciitis complain of a sharp, stabbing pain in one or both heels. This can extend to the arch of the foot. Some will experience pain in the morning or after long periods of rest. If you don’t experience pain, you may have tenderness to the touch. Stiffness is another symptom of PF.
If you’re unfamiliar with the concept of muscle scraping, you may find the name a little offputting. Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization is an ancient practice that dates back to early Chinese civilization. The Chinese referred to this technique as gua sha, which refers to the tiny red spots that often appear during treatment.
Ancient healers would use smooth rocks, dull blades, and other implements to apply pressure to the treatment area, but today, chiropractors and other medical professionals have implements made of stainless steel or hard plastic that are specially designed for various body parts.
Muscle scraping has a variety of applications. It’s often used in lieu of or in conjunction with therapeutic massage. One of the primary benefits of successful muscle scraping treatments is reduced swelling. By applying pressure with an implement and moving it along the treatment area in a scraping motion, the treatment helps to improve circulation, remove blockages, and reduce swelling.
When you schedule an appointment with one of our medical professionals, they will examine your foot, ankle, and calf to determine whether your pain is caused by plantar fasciitis. If you do have PF, they will determine whether or not instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization is indicated. They may recommend muscle scraping in conjunction with other treatments, or they may not believe that muscle scraping would be beneficial.
Here’s how it works.
The advantages to this course of action are numerous, which is one of the reasons why ChiroCare of Florida offers this TCM treatment to our patients.
Muscle scraping treatments can immediately alleviate pain from plantar fasciitis. You may walk in feeling sharp pain and discomfort and leave pain-free.
Whether you’re an athlete or your job involves a lot of standing and walking, you may notice an immediate improvement. Among other things, plantar fasciitis reduces swelling and improves flexibility.
Muscle scraping treatments only take a few minutes. You can schedule other treatments like spinal adjustments and massage during the same visit.
Muscle scraping treatments for plantar fasciitis are performed on the outside of the skin. There is no incision, injection, or required healing period.
Unlike some treatments, muscle scraping does not require medicine. However, your doctor may prescribe anti-inflammatories to help with the swelling.
Many people who suffer from plantar fasciitis experience the pain intermittently. It’s often worse in the mornings or after long periods of sitting. They can literally walk it off after a few minutes, and the pain subsides. Or, they rest their feet for a few days, and the pain goes away. However, there are several reasons why you shouldn’t ignore this condition, even if the side effects are tolerable:
These are some of the questions that our patients ask the medical professionals at ChiroCare. Book an appointment to ask your questions about this common foot malady.
One of the most preventable causes of plantar fasciitis is improper footwear. Your shoes should fit properly, hugging the heel without squeezing it. You should have approximately half an inch of extra room in the toes. Make sure you have good arch support and that the heels aren’t worn unevenly. If a particular pair of shoes or type of shoe is causing you pain or making your feet swell, switch to another pair.
Training or changes in physical activity may also trigger plantar fasciitis. If you’ve added a new exercise to your workouts, it may be at the center of the issue. Always try to avoid radical changes to your workout routines and discontinue any exercise that’s exacerbating your symptoms.
Statistically, you have a one in ten shot of getting plantar fasciitis at some point in your life. The odds are higher if you’re a working-age adult, you engage in sports or athletics, or you have a job that keeps you on your feet.
Whether you are suffering from plantar fasciitis, you have another musculoskeletal condition, or you just want to maintain your physical health and mobility, ChiroCare of Florida is here for you. Schedule an appointment at one of our South Florida offices today.
