Plantar Fasciitis/Heel Pain
Plantar Fasciitis/Heel Pain can be caused by work, leisure and other daily activities involving the legs and feet. The plantar fascia is a thick soft tissue band located under the foot, it attaches to the heel and fans down to the toes in a triangular shape. It provides support to the arch of the foot and the foot when standing in our daily activities. When this fascia gets irritated it can produce inflammation (less common) or degeneration (more common) of the fascia which results in the common symptoms of plantar fasciitis/heel pain.
Common Symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis/Heel Pain
- Pain and local tenderness at the heel and along the sole of the foot often worse in the morning upon taking first few steps after getting out of bed or after prolonged sitting period
- Loss of foot strength
- Muscle tension
Treatment of Plantar Fasciitis/Heel Pain using the McKenzie Method/MDT
Proper treatment of plantar fasciitis requires determining the true source of the symptoms. There are three main possibilities (low back, ankle/foot joints and plantar fascia) that need to be examined to determine the true cause of these symptoms in each case. The McKenzie Method of Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (MDT) uses a systematic approach to properly classify the source of your plantar fasciitis/heel pain symptoms.
Low Back in Plantar fasciitis
Pain diagnosed as Plantar Fasciitis/Heel Pain can be coming from the low back. Just as sciatica can send pain down the leg, the low back can cause pain in the foot or the heel. Pressure on the nerves of the low back can cause direct pain in the foot or the heel without necessarily causing back pain. It can also cause changes in the functioning of the nerve which can impact the tissues around the heel and the foot. It is important to determine if the back is a factor in your case as many persistent Plantar Fasciitis/Heel Pain problems have a low back component that has never been identified. A scientific “cause-and-effect” assessment procedure will clearly demonstrate the presence or absence of a low back component to your Plantar Fasciitis/Heel Pain. Back exercises, posture and mobilisations may be used to treat this type of problem and rapid improvements are often seen within the initial 1-2 sessions, when the lower back is shown to be significant factor.
Joint problems in Plantar fasciitis
A mechanical problem in the joints of the ankle can also be the primary cause of heel and foot pain. Many different structures have been identified in the joints of the ankle that could cause a mechanical disruption to normal movements, meaning that something may be getting caught in the joint and impeding normal movement. It has been observed for decades that movements (mobilisations / manipulations) of the ankle can cause rapid changes in the symptoms of patients with Plantar Fasciitis. Ankle movement exercises and mobilisations may be used to treat this type of problem and rapid changes are normally seen within the initial 1-2 sessions.
Changes in the Plantar fascia
The third common source of problems in patients with plantar fasciitis is changes in the fascia tissue itself. These can occur as a result of a gradual accumulation of micro-trauma (from overuse) or from an acute trauma. When this type of cause has been identified (including thorough testing which has eliminated the back and ankle joints as causes of your symptoms), treatment will focus on very specific stretching and/or strengthening exercises. Improvements are slower in this category of plantar fasciitis and normally require two weeks to become evident.
There are other possible sources of Plantar Fasciitis/Heel Pain symptoms. The McKenzie Method/MDT assessment can also identify other less common sources of foot and heel pain and treat them accordingly.
There are other possible sources of Plantar Fasciitis/Heel Pain symptoms. The McKenzie Method/MDT assessment can also identify other less common sources of foot and heel pain and treat them accordingly.
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