Plantar what?
Symptoms
The most common complaint is pain and stiffness in the bottom of the
heel. The heel pain may be dull or sharp. The bottom of the foot may also ache
or burn.
The pain is usually worse:
Ø In the morning when
you take your first steps
Ø After standing or
sitting for a while
Ø When climbing stairs
Ø After intense
activity
The pain may develop slowly over time, or suddenly after intense
activity.
Signs and tests
The doctor will perform a physical exam. This may show:
Ø Tenderness on the
bottom of your foot
Ø Flat feet or high
arches
Ø Mild foot swelling or
redness
Ø Stiffness or
tightness of the arch in the bottom of your foot.
X-rays may be taken to rule out other problems, but having a heel spur
is not significant.
Treatment
Your doctor will usually first recommend:
Ø Acetaminophen
(Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) to reduce pain and inflammation
Ø Heel stretching
exercises
Ø Resting as much as
possible for at least a week
Ø Wearing shoes with
good support and cushions
Other steps to relieve pain include:
Ø Apply ice to the
painful area. Do this at least twice a day for 10 - 15 minutes, more often in
the first couple of days.
Ø Try wearing a heel
cup, felt pads in the heel area, or shoe inserts.
Ø Use night splints to
stretch the injured fascia and allow it to heal.
Reflexology Treatment
Benefits
Reflexology
is beneficial because it stretches and relieves heel pain caused by plantar
fasciitis. During this special massage
treatment, ligaments and muscles of the foot are relaxed and loosened, in
addition to the calf muscles. The entire lower leg and foot experiences
increased circulation, muscle relief and improved flexibility. Those who
routinely go for a reflexology session experience less pain in the foot, heel
and lower leg and are able to maintain full flexibility when doing daily
activities.
