This blog is about plantar fasciitis, the nagging foot discomfort that won’t heal. Knowing where to look can mean the difference between mediocre results and being pain-free. I have put my best insights into this to help you understand the cause.
What is Plantar Fascia: a thick fibrous connective tissue with origins at the medial tubercle of the calcaneus and insertions to the plantar surface of the toe joints.
Purpose Of The Plantar Fascia: The plantar fascia acts as a static and dynamic stabilizer of the longitudinal arch of the foot and as a dynamic shock absorber.
History: Characteristic of plantar fasciitis are the first painful steps from bed in the morning or following after rest that worsens as the day progresses. Plantar fasciitis is the most common disorder involving the plantar fascia. The problem is so common that it has been estimated that approximately 2 million people in the United States are affected with this disorder and accounts for more than one million visits to foot specialists and primary care physicians. In terms of its pathophysiology, there is continued controversy. Some have suggested an inflammatory etiology while others point to degenerative changes in connective tissue structures in the region of the calcaneus and should be termed plantar fasciitis. Regardless of its poorly understood etiology; at the heart of the development of plantar fasciitis are anatomic and bio-mechanical factors.
If you want to cover all your bases, here are my 4 tactics to beat plantar fasciitis.
1 - Head/Neck positioning over your body:
Every inch of tech-neck, formerly known as forward head posture, adds massive loading into your spine, discs, joints and nerves. If you do not address this, there is high probability of it returning because of the top down stress & pressure it creates.
2 - Low-back/Hip angle:
Just like car seats, office chairs, and shoes have arch support, your spine has essential curves similar to a banana. If you try to straighten a banana, it can break, bruise or smush. As your spinal positioning in your low back and hip SHIFTS, it can irritate your nerve system, weaken the reception to your feet and negatively influence your recovery. Mechanically, these essential curves provide shock resistance and support, and losing them can de-stabilize the area.
3 - Knee joint alignment:
A common mis-alignment in people dealing with plantar fasciitis is the fibula head attachment relative to the knee joint. It is very important to make sure it is in place, moving & gliding well without restriction or localized inflammation. If this fibula head doesn’t move correctly, it affects the surrounding connective tissue and the foot’s mobility which will aggravate the problem, even if it is not the cause.
4 - Foot joint alignment:
The actual foot itself is comprised of multiple joints and lots of tightly wrapped connective tissue which is directly influenced by the nerve system. Your feet are rich in nerve supply. Think of how quickly you would move your foot if you stepped on a piece of glass or a nail. Knowing this, it is important to make sure the nerve system is functioning optimally and the tone is balanced. If any of the structures in the foot including the heel (calcaneus) are SHIFTED, it can create unwanted localized problems which would delay your relief.
I am confident this information can help you feel healthy again. But like all learning, it's not going to make a difference if you don't apply it correctly & consistently. These tactics I have listed out should be apart of your weekly habits to A LEVEL HEALTH & FUNCTION.