By Laurie Melrose-Doering, Osteopath & Applied Kinesiologist
Plantar fasciitis is on the rise. If you have heel pain – perhaps you have been wearing slippers or flip-flops, or training for a Marathon – it is likely to be plantar fasciitis.
Sometimes, you may be able to ease the heel pain at home. If not, osteopathy can help.
The heel and foot pain in plantar fasciitis is caused by inflammation of the plantar fascia, the tissue that supports the arch of the foot. In plantar fasciitis, it is overloaded, usually due to mechanical stress. This results in small tears and inflammation of the plantar fascia, making walking extremely painful.
Made of what we call fibrous connective tissue, your plantar fascia is structurally the same as ligaments. If you have ever sprained or ruptured ligaments in your ankle, knee or shoulder, you will know how painful injury of fibrous connective tissue can be. And this is what is happening during plantar fasciitis.
The main symptom of plantar fasciitis is pain around the heel and the bottom of the foot. Although less common, some of my patients have reported pain around the leg. This tends to be due to compensations for an altered gait.
Typically, plantar fasciitis is worse in the morning, and exacerbated by walking or standing.
Plantar fasciitis can be annoyingly persistent. In mild plantar fasciitis, diligent stretching of the calf muscles, and investing in supportive footwear can resolve the symptoms.
However, I have seen numerous patients who were doing all the right things, yet still suffering with plantar fasciitis for up to a year before they booked in for an appointment.
I often diagnose a problem in the calcaneus, the bone that makes up the heel, and in the subtalar joint. Fortunately, I have found osteopathy very effective in the treatment of these two issues.
If you are suffering from plantar fasciitis that is not responding to exercises and self-treatment, please book in for osteopathy.
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Aston Clinic London is a third-generation complementary health clinic located in New Malden, serving Kingston, Norbiton, Wimbledon, Raynes Park, Surbiton, Chessington, Worcester Park, Sutton, Richmond, and other areas of southwest London and Surrey.
By Laurie Melrose-Doering, Osteopath & Applied Kinesiologist
