Can an osteopath help with plantar fasciitis?
- MPR Health
- October 21, 2022
We have seen hundreds of plantar fasciitis injuries and feel confident enough to answer the question.
Can an osteopath help with plantar fasciitis?
Specifically, we have investigated the potential factors in plantar fasciitis.
In this article, we’re going to share what we discovered.
A summary of the most interesting findings of Plantar Fasciitis & Osteopathy
- Plantar fasciitis is a condition that affects the plantar fascia, a ligament running from your heel to your toes.
- Pain when you first get out of bed in the morning is a hallmark sign.
- It can present as an overuse injury.
- It can happen in high-impact sports that put stress on your heel bone when you land.
- Weight changes can affect the plantar fascia.
- It can happen to people who are required to stand all day.
- Osteopathy treatment involves manipulating the bones and soft tissues in your foot to reduce tightness, improve mobility, and assess the biomechanics of your ankles, legs, knees and hips.
- Your Osteopath may suggest changes to your sport, footwear or activities that may be contributing factors.
- They will give you instructions on how to care for the injury safely and how to do rehabilitation exercises or stretches to complete recovery and help to prevent re-occurrence. A common protocol is the Rathleff Protocol.
What is plantar fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is a condition that causes the heel to hurt. Although it’s often considered an activity-related injury, plantar fasciitis can also be caused by overpronation and foot structure.
Running from the tips of your toes to your heel bone is a thick band of tissue called the plantar fascia.
When you put weight on your foot, this tissue stretches while absorbing pressure and helps stabilize bones in the foot so they don’t move around much.
It’s not always obvious when this ligament becomes inflamed because it’s located deep below the skin — but it can cause significant discomfort for those affected.
What are the symptoms of plantar fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis symptoms can be very painful. Symptoms include:
- Pain in the arch of your foot and heel
- Pain in the sole of your foot
- Pain when you first get out of bed in the morning
- Pain when you take your first steps after sitting for a while
- Pain when running, jumping, or walking
What causes plantar fasciitis?
The plantar fascia ligament on your foot can become inflamed and painful if you have plantar fasciitis, and this can happen for many different reasons, including:
- Overuse of the plantar fascia ligament (the tissue connecting your heel bone to your toes)
- Improper footwear that causes excessive pressure on the bottom of your feet
- Flat feet or high arches (which put more stress on the arch)
- Muscle imbalances in your leg muscles or calf muscles, which can cause one leg to do more work than another while walking
- Joint misalignment in other parts of your body that may be causing an imbalance in weight distribution between limbs or joints (this could lead to overuse of one side of the body)
- Genetics – people with certain family members who have had problems with their feet may be more likely to develop plantar fasciitis
Who is likely to get plantar fasciitis?
Cases of plantar fasciitis are more common in those who:
- Spend a lot of time on their feet. For example, runners, cyclists, and even office workers can risk developing plantar fasciitis if they stand for long periods. People who develop degenerative joint changes as they age are also susceptible to it.
- Have flat feet or high arches (also known as fallen arches). These conditions can cause the plantar fascia ligament to become stretched and weakened, making it more likely to tear or rupture.
- Have tight calf muscles (tendinopathy). This means that when you stand up from sitting down, your calf muscles are tight instead of relaxed as they should be after being seated for an extended period.
How do osteopaths treat plantar fasciitis?
Making an appointment with an osteopath may be beneficial for the best results. They can help you with your plantar fasciitis by reducing inflammation and improving circulation in the affected area. An osteopath may:
- Apply treatment techniques to muscles in the foot that are associated with the problem, which can help to heal. This involves manipulating the bones and soft tissues in your foot to reduce tightness and improve mobility and assessing the biomechanics of your ankles, legs, knees, and hips.
- Your Osteopath may suggest changes to your sport, footwear, or activities that may be contributing factors.
- They will give you instructions on how to care for the injury safely and how to do rehabilitation exercises or stretches to complete recovery and help to prevent re-occurrence. A common protocol is the Rathleff Protocol.
- Sometimes, a special splint worn on the foot while sleeping can be helpful. ( this is known as the Strasbourg sock)
- Exercises are often done alongside ice packs for added relief.
Why you should see an osteopath for plantar fasciitis
- Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation (RICE): Relatively rest your foot. Do not overdo it or perform activities that cause consistent pain. Ice the inflamed area for 10 to 20 minutes, 3 to 5 times daily. An ice pack wrapped in a thin towel works well for this purpose.
- Strengthening Exercises: Start by doing exercises two or three times a week and gradually build up to doing them daily. Strengthening the muscles in your feet will help you move more efficiently, reducing your risk of developing plantar fasciitis again.
- Massage: A daily massage of the bottom of your feet will help to loosen tight muscles, reduce inflammation and relieve pain. A professional massage is preferable, but you can do it yourself with a tennis or golf ball.
- Strassbourg Sock – a stocking-style device worn at night to stretch the plantar fascia.
Final Words
Osteopaths are highly trained to help you with your plantar fasciitis. Osteopathic treatment can offer pain relief, improved mobility, and better overall function. An osteopath will tailor an individualised treatment plan to your specific needs and any other medical conditions that may be present.
We're ready when you are
Our North Shore Osteopaths are here to help you with your pain so you can get back to living your best life without worrying about pain.
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