Our foot consists of a tissue that starts at the toes and extends to the bottom of the foot. This tissue is known as Plantar Fascitis(1). It mostly acts as a shock absorber which helps to support the arch of the foot. Athletes, sportsmen and especially runners tend to suffer from Plantar Fasciitis as they often tend to land on their heels and then rise on the toes before shifting the bodyweight to another foot.
This process strains the tissue, and when the pressure is too much, it is likely to tear. A lot of hikers, mountaineers, continuously suffer from the pain of Plantar Fascitis due to their strain on Plantar fasciitis during exertions. A popular treatment method or immediate relief is a deep tissue massage(2) for plantar fasciitis. The massage therapy for plantar fasciitis involves a pressure massage using fingers on the heels, fascia through slow, gentle strokes.
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Over a million people in the world are affected by the painful heel. It is caused by the inflammation of plantar fascia – a ligament that joins the heel bones and toes. This ligament also helps to support the arch. The condition can be caused for various reasons- Improper posture, standing for too long, walking for a very long time, hiking, running, mountaineering activity and many more such reasons that stress your foot.
Foot Massage for plantar fasciitis has a lot of benefits for the foot. It is a simple and non –invasive form of treatment to treat the pain of the foot. It plays a significant role in reducing symptoms of pain and inflammation of your foot. The massaging is not just restricted to the foot but involves massaging the calf muscles and area of the leg that is connected via fascia and tendons. This improves the blood circulation in that area and helps in reducing pain.
Other tight muscles of your body can also cause unnecessary stress on the ligament of your foot, which is why when you opt for massage for plantar fasciitis the back connecting other muscles should also be massaged. You can also combine with other forms of non-invasive home treatment like exercise and stretches for plantar fasciitis.
[Read: Natural Remedies to Cure Plantar Fasciitis]
Different plantar massage techniques help in treating this condition.
Self-massage is a great way to treat the pain your foot due to Plantar Fascitis. Here is how you can do it –
Finish off your massage by using some lotion or pain relief oil for the best results.
[Read: Essential Oils for Plantar Fasciitis]
Repeat 4 times every day.
You will need a foot roller for this, and in case you don’t have one, you can substitute it with a golf ball.
[Also Read: Acupuncture Treatment for Plantar Fasciitis]
To make full use of massage for plantar fasciitis, you must see a trained physiotherapist who can guide you with the best massage techniques best on the severity of your condition. It is advisable that you immediately start treatment once you feel pain, as this can have severe consequences if left untreated. Overall, Massage works best because of it’s relaxing nature and the benefits it has in treating the foot pain.
Yes! That is the primary purpose of massage for plantar fasciitis. It increases blood circulation in that area and helps in stretching and relaxing the muscles around your foot. With a daily routine that includes massage, you should be able to go back to your normal life and carry on with all regular activities.