What is Plantar Fasciitis?
The most common cause of rear foot (heel) pain is plantar fasciitis.
It is a nagging and often extremely limiting condition. This condition commonly occurs in runners/athletes while it is also common in the older adult.
Plantar fasciitis can be defined as an inflammation of the plantar fascia and perifascial tissues due to repetitive micro trauma from excessive loading forces which can occur during running or walking.
A healthy plantar fascia provides support for the arch in your foot and acts as a dynamic shock absorber.
Possible Causes
Flat Feet:
Flat feet place an increased strain on the plantar fascia to lengthen which can cause microtears. This type of foot can be deemed to have too much mobility
High Arches:
High arches results in an extremely rigid foot. This in turn limits the foots ability to absorb and dissipate forces placed on the fascia
Tightness:
Plantar fasciitis is commonly associated with limited ankle joint mobility as well as tightness in the calf, hamstring and gluteal muscles. Tightness in these muscle groups can predispose an individual to plantar fasciitis.
Does any of these sound familiar?
Pain on the inside of your heel
Pain at heel on initial steps in the AM
Pain at heel after period of weight bearing (After a walk, after a run, after a day’s work)
Treatment
There are several possible treatment options for plantar fasciitis but most notably there is no such thing as a one size fits all approach to the injury.
Each individual case must be treated uniquely depending the patient’s symptoms and clinical presentation.
Typical treatment includes avoidance of aggravating activity, stretching of tight musculature, individual specific strengthening exercises and taping.
What can Physio Tullamore offer that’s different?
Physio Tullamore we have a new unique and scientifically proven method to aid the recovery from plantar fasciitis, a treatment known as Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT). Due to the growing evidence supporting this treatment Physio Tullamore is now offering this latest cutting edge treatment.
This cutting edge treatment delivers targeted shock waves to the painful area using a handheld ‘gun’ that causes a rehealing response at the damaged tissue. The shock isn’t an electric shock, it is a physical blow.
The therapy has been proven to be successful against debilitating heal pain and aches associated with Plantar Fasciitis.
ESWT’s capacity to deliver shock waves at different frequencies allows our specialist clinicians to use the therapy to cure the problem at various stages.
As the tissue regenerates Physio Tullamore has a unique and scientifically proven rehabilitation methods tailored to the individual’s needs to aid full recovery from plantar fasciitis.
Physio Tullamore tailor a specific rehab programme to your needs whether you’re a weekly walker or playing elite sport.
The treatment is usually conducted over 3-6 sessions at weekly intervals. The cost of the sessions is 70 Euro.
Here is an example of how it works:
