Wednesday, September 16, 2009

“Plantar Fasciitis requires an everything but the kitchen sink approach for timely recovery” Dr. Craig Heller, chiropractor / WELLNESS CENTER in Vista

While correction of faulty foot mechanics through the use of orthotics provides a good long term solution to the pain of plantar fasciitis; that alone is not always sufficient to break the cycle of pain and inflammation so familiar to plantar fasciitis sufferers according to Dr. Craig Heller in Vista.

My experience in treating patients at the Chiropractic Rehabilitation Wellness Center in Vista, CA has demonstrated the value of a multi-pronged approach. In addition to the fitting of appropriate orthotics, passive therapeutic modalities such as ice, ultrasound, and stripping (deep tissue massage) of the plantar fascia have a role in the treatment of this very uncomfortable condition. A significant part of the successful treatment of plantar fasciitis is educational. Patients who have an understanding of the factors that contribute to their condition, and the manner in which they do so, are much more likely to have successful outcomes. The plantar fasciitis patients I treat at the Wellness Center in Vista always get some instruction in the anatomy and biomechanics involved in their condition so that they understand the rationale for the prescribed stretches and exercises, and also gives them insights to all the other factors in their lives that may be contributing to their condition. The appropriate stretching exercises are essential and must be performed regularly, including the stretching of the calf muscles and Achilles tendon prior to weight bearing when getting out of bed in the morning.

During the first several weeks of plantar fasciitis treatment I often find it dramatically beneficial to use taping/strapping techniques that reduce the strain on the plantar fascia. Typically, patients really like the way the strapping feels and are much more tolerant of their daily activities. This is especially true of patients engaging in athletic endeavors, for which the taping is mandatory.

Particularly stubborn cases may require the use of a night splint that maintains the Achilles tendon and plantar fascia in a stretched position throughout the night. This is an effective treatment protocol but is not very comfortable, especially on warm summer nights. I generally turn to the night splint as a last resort if you have thrown everything else at the problem and it is just not resolving. Fortunately, over the last several years no patient who has complied with the multifaceted approach to care has failed to the point of requiring a night splint.

Successful care requires a commitment on the part of the patient to utilize all of the available protocols to defeat the stubborn problem of plantar fasciitis and free themselves from heel pain or arch pain. A little bit of knowledge about the condition paired with a consistent application of the lessons learned will surely have you comfortably back on your feet.

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