Plantar fasciitis is a fibrous tissue connecting the heel to the bottom of the toes, aiding in maintaining the arch of the foot and absorbing impact from the ground, acting as a natural shock absorber. Overuse can lead to tears in the fascial fibres or cause strain due to the degeneration of the plantar fascia tissue, resulting in inflammation and pain. However, conditions like congenital flat feet, high arches, limb length discrepancies, or prolonged wearing of high-heeled shoes can alter normal foot mechanics, leading to plantar fasciitis.
Symptoms:
Heel pain upon first steps in the morning, which decreases after walking for a while
Pain on the underside of the foot when transitioning from rest to movement
Pain spreading forward from the heel
Mild swelling in the heel area
MSK Treatment Methods:
Stretching exercises for the calf muscles
Localized pressure and massage on the plantar fascia for pain relief
Acupuncture targeting the painful areas of the foot to relax the muscles
Correction of toe mechanics
Instrument-assisted treatments to reduce pain
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