This article is designed to be a brief synopsis on misconceptions and misunderstandings regarding plantar fascitis, a condition where the plantar fascia, a connective tissue stretching between the heel (calcaneus) and the great toe (big toe) becomes inflamed and thus painful with movement (ie. walking, running, getting out of bed).
While it is true that the symptoms (pain) manifest in the feet, one of the most common misconceptions about plantar fascitis is that the problem is in the sole of the foot.
Common Misconceptions of Plantar Fascitis:
1) The problem is in the sole of the foot (the plantar fascia itself)
This is classic medical-model, outside-in thinking. "The pain is here, so the problem must be here." This couldn't be further from the truth in most cases. Clinical experience shows that most plantar fascitis cases are caused by a weakness in the posterior leg muscles, namely the posterior tibialis, and/or the gastrocnemius, and occasionally the peroneal muscles.
Weakness of these muscles is typically caused by overuse and under conditioning, ie. running without stretching, walking loong distances without adequate leg conditioning, and the same for cycling. When these muscles misfire, they cause failure of the arches of the feet, namely the medial longitudinal arch, which then causes the arch to drop and thus the plantar fascia to stretch, causing inflammation and then pain.
2) The best treatment is rolling a golf ball in the arch of the foot.
While certainly a viable way to reduce pain and stretch the fascia without the use of drugs or surgery, this is really something that can be done prior to ever developing a problem, simply to stay mobile, stretched and prevent injury. The best treatment for plantar fascitis is to correct the underlying problem, the muscle imbalances, which is outlined here:
www.plantarfascitisexpert.com
Next, addressing the often accompanying factor of severe adrenal stress and helping the person to make lifestyle changes such as reducing adrenal stimulants and increasing activities that give the adrenals a break, like cardio, good sleep, stretching, and increasing water intake.
3) Cortisone shots are helpful to treat plantar fascitis
Whle a cortisone shot helps to reduce inflammation ANYWHERE it's given, and is a quick $166 billed for seconds worth of work, it is rarely the correct option for treatment. Drugs are intended to aid in healing when all else doesn't work and the fact of the matter is that most, if not all people out there that go for cortisone shots have not had a qualified Chiropractic Kinesiologist assess their plantar fascitis. While I'm not at all opposed to drugs, for they bring many wonderful benefits to quick pain relief; I do believe that they should be used only when necessary, and if you truly want to get rid of your plantar fascitis, this will not solve the matter at hand. In addition, it's a widely known fact in the medical field that cortisone is 3x stronger than the body's own natural cortisol, and causes suppression of the immune system and destroys tissues local to the injection.
In conclusion, the next time you or someone you know has plantar fascitis, please have them watch www.plantarfascitisexpert.com, and get evaluated by a Chiropractic Kinesiologist.
For more information, go to www.youtube.com/activehealthclinic, or www.activehealthnow.com.
Live Active, Live Healthy,
Jason Worrall, D.C.