Plantar Fasciitis and Movement
by Dennis Gibbons, LMT
In last month’s newsletter (August, 2010), I wrote about some of the basic principles of body movement and which muscle fibers needed to get strengthened and why. In response to the many letters I have received recently asking about Plantar Fasciitis, in September I will be conducting a workshop on this painful problem. I thought I would preview the workshop a bit and answer preliminary questions with this article. Next month I will resume the discussion of muscle fibers and body movement.
Plantar Fasciitis is a very common problem for people of all ages and sizes. Whether you are an active or inactive individual this painful foot problem can stop you in your tracks. That pain in your heel when you first wake up in the morning, or after sitting for a while, is Plantar Fasciitis. As you stand, a sharp pain emanates into your foot or up the back of your leg. You hobble for a short period of time and it seems to get better, but does it really?
Fascia is the body’s connective tissue that begins in the skull and ends in the feet. It is one continuous web-like fiber that literally holds us together. The fiber is three dimensional and wraps around and through all of the bones, muscles and organs, including the brain. Fascia is a very strong yet supple material that allows the body’s internal structures to move, normally without restriction. Imagine it like panty hose. It is what allows your bones and muscles to move without causing any strain on your skin. Fascia is a substance that slides and allows the nerves and blood vessels to move without encumbrance. This connective tissue is vital to allowing the body to move without restriction and/or pain.
Plantar Fasciitis is a very common problem for people of all ages and sizes. Whether you are an active or inactive individual this painful foot problem can stop you in your tracks. That pain in your heel when you first wake up in the morning, or after sitting for a while, is Plantar Fasciitis. As you stand, a sharp pain emanates into your foot or up the back of your leg. You hobble for a short period of time and it seems to get better, but does it really?
Fascia is the body’s connective tissue that begins in the skull and ends in the feet. It is one continuous web-like fiber that literally holds us together. The fiber is three dimensional and wraps around and through all of the bones, muscles and organs, including the brain. Fascia is a very strong yet supple material that allows the body’s internal structures to move, normally without restriction. Imagine it like panty hose. It is what allows your bones and muscles to move without causing any strain on your skin. Fascia is a substance that slides and allows the nerves and blood vessels to move without encumbrance. This connective tissue is vital to allowing the body to move without restriction and/or pain.
 | This picture shows where the fascia is on the plantar aspect or the sole of the foot. It is a continuation of the fascia that covers the Achilles Tendon, which is the large, thick tendon on the back of the leg. This tendon is also a common site for inflammation, especially in ladies who wear high heels often. I often treat this tendonitis in young people who are in dance and or running sports such as soccer, lacrosse, field hockey, cross country or track. Other common sports would be cheerleading and volleyball.
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Unlike Achilles Tendonitis, Plantar Fasciitis can strike anyone, from the receptionist at the front desk to someone who is on their feet all day long, especially standing on concrete.
Plantar Fasciitis is treated with many different formats but I have found most of them are band aids to the problem that often is the main cause. The main problem is often a distortion to the inner posture that is compensating for previous traumas. In most cases I have found that the posture is unable to move correctly because joints superior or above the foot are often unable to function within their normal ranges.
You may ask, “If that is the case then why when I walk around for a few minutes does the pain subside?” The Fascia system is unique because it is able to continually adapt and because movement will often “warm” the tissue enough to permit it to function. As soon as that Fascia cools down, when the body slows down or stops moving, the limited movement allows the fluid to solidify again and the pain will come back. If those with Plantar Fasciitis try to “tough it out,” other symptoms will often develop, such as shin splints, knee and ankle pain, or even low back pain. This condition requires treatment.
What then does cause this dilemma? More often than not there is a forward posture distortion that causes the body weight shift to move forward over the transverse arch or what is commonly known as the ball of the foot. This will place an abnormal pressure on the Fascia along the bottom of the foot that will allow microscopic tears to develop. As these microscopic tears develop, the Fascia, because it is made up of collagen fibers, repairs itself in a disorganized pattern. This disorganization will not allow the interstitial fluid to properly flow. This improper flow will not permit the fascia to lubricate itself, so the fibers that make up the Fascia cannot flow freely. This creates the issue of the fascia becoming more solid and less flexible.
Muscle Release Therapy, MRTh® addresses this issue by locating and releasing the appropriate hindrances to the internal posture. One of the primary issues is the total imbalance of the body’s curves. The body is made up of a series of curvatures that in reality create a straight line, but it is these curvatures which allow the body to move fluidly against the confines of gravity. The Muscle Release Therapy, MRTh® practitioner will evaluate the posture to determine where the obstruction to proper movement is and release the specific soft tissue that will balance the bio-tensegrity. Fundamental Movement Pilates℠ addresses this issue by reinforcing the proper movement tensegrity so the body will adjust itself internally. With Plantar Fasciitis, MRTh® is recommended in addition to Fundamental Movement Pilates℠. It is tough to fix solely through movement re-education.
Does the pain I have on the bottom of my foot always indicate Plantar Fasciitis? No, there could be other extenuating circumstances. Recently I had an individual come to me that was diagnosed with Plantar Fasciitis and went through the physical therapy and even had cortisone injections. This individual was previously involved in an auto accident where the lower extremity and foot were injured. Once I identified the previous injury, I was able to treat the symptoms properly and the “Plantar Fasciitis” that was really prior trauma disappeared. The rectification of the trauma is what created the balance that diminished the pain.
Some of the other causes of this type of foot pain that I have encountered over the years are orthodontia, cervical strain, some form of head trauma, and improper walking or running. Also, individuals that have to sit for prolonged periods of time are also prone to foot pain that is perhaps not Plantar Fasciitis.
So if you have this notorious foot pain, or know someone who does, give us a call to discuss how we are able to help rectify the situation with Muscle Release Therapy, MRTh® and Fundamental Movement Pilates℠.
If you are a therapist, please join us for our upcoming workshop to learn some of the postural distortions and be able to treat the problem not just the symptom.
If you have any questions and/or concerns please feel free to contact us @ 216.364.0152, or appointments@chagrinvalleywellness.com.
Till next month,
Peace and Blessings,
Dennis
Plantar Fasciitis is treated with many different formats but I have found most of them are band aids to the problem that often is the main cause. The main problem is often a distortion to the inner posture that is compensating for previous traumas. In most cases I have found that the posture is unable to move correctly because joints superior or above the foot are often unable to function within their normal ranges.
You may ask, “If that is the case then why when I walk around for a few minutes does the pain subside?” The Fascia system is unique because it is able to continually adapt and because movement will often “warm” the tissue enough to permit it to function. As soon as that Fascia cools down, when the body slows down or stops moving, the limited movement allows the fluid to solidify again and the pain will come back. If those with Plantar Fasciitis try to “tough it out,” other symptoms will often develop, such as shin splints, knee and ankle pain, or even low back pain. This condition requires treatment.
What then does cause this dilemma? More often than not there is a forward posture distortion that causes the body weight shift to move forward over the transverse arch or what is commonly known as the ball of the foot. This will place an abnormal pressure on the Fascia along the bottom of the foot that will allow microscopic tears to develop. As these microscopic tears develop, the Fascia, because it is made up of collagen fibers, repairs itself in a disorganized pattern. This disorganization will not allow the interstitial fluid to properly flow. This improper flow will not permit the fascia to lubricate itself, so the fibers that make up the Fascia cannot flow freely. This creates the issue of the fascia becoming more solid and less flexible.
Muscle Release Therapy, MRTh® addresses this issue by locating and releasing the appropriate hindrances to the internal posture. One of the primary issues is the total imbalance of the body’s curves. The body is made up of a series of curvatures that in reality create a straight line, but it is these curvatures which allow the body to move fluidly against the confines of gravity. The Muscle Release Therapy, MRTh® practitioner will evaluate the posture to determine where the obstruction to proper movement is and release the specific soft tissue that will balance the bio-tensegrity. Fundamental Movement Pilates℠ addresses this issue by reinforcing the proper movement tensegrity so the body will adjust itself internally. With Plantar Fasciitis, MRTh® is recommended in addition to Fundamental Movement Pilates℠. It is tough to fix solely through movement re-education.
Does the pain I have on the bottom of my foot always indicate Plantar Fasciitis? No, there could be other extenuating circumstances. Recently I had an individual come to me that was diagnosed with Plantar Fasciitis and went through the physical therapy and even had cortisone injections. This individual was previously involved in an auto accident where the lower extremity and foot were injured. Once I identified the previous injury, I was able to treat the symptoms properly and the “Plantar Fasciitis” that was really prior trauma disappeared. The rectification of the trauma is what created the balance that diminished the pain.
Some of the other causes of this type of foot pain that I have encountered over the years are orthodontia, cervical strain, some form of head trauma, and improper walking or running. Also, individuals that have to sit for prolonged periods of time are also prone to foot pain that is perhaps not Plantar Fasciitis.
So if you have this notorious foot pain, or know someone who does, give us a call to discuss how we are able to help rectify the situation with Muscle Release Therapy, MRTh® and Fundamental Movement Pilates℠.
If you are a therapist, please join us for our upcoming workshop to learn some of the postural distortions and be able to treat the problem not just the symptom.
If you have any questions and/or concerns please feel free to contact us @ 216.364.0152, or appointments@chagrinvalleywellness.com.
Till next month,
Peace and Blessings,
Dennis
