If you've ever struggled with plantar fasciitis, you know how uncomfortable it is: it's the sensation of being pierced in the heel with a hot needle over and over with every action you take.
When you walk or run, particularly on materials that are solid and unyielding, the pressure applied by your body weight can cause stress on the plantar fascia (the band of tissue that connects your toes to your heel).
Over time, this stress can turn into the chronic pain and inflammation we call acute plantar fasciitis. With the relentless ache of plantar fasciitis, your ability to manage the sharp pain-- and your determination to continue with daily life as usual-- is tested. Sadly, plantar fasciitis is a very common foot condition.
Regrettably, there are no magic cures for chronic conditions like plantar fasciitis. However there are different methods to reduce pain from plantar fasciitis, and among the best methods is massage treatment. Not only is massage therapy affordable and widely available, but it is likewise shown to be successful in eliminating plantar fasciitis discomfort.
Calf muscle stretching, icing the affected location, and rubbing your plantar fascia may all help provide some level of pain relief. But why does massage therapy succeed so well for plantar fasciitis? Let's have a look at how massage works to relieve this common source of heel pain.
What is Massage Treatment?
Massage treatment is the use of various physical moves and techniques to apply pressure to the soft tissues of your body. Massage therapists adjust your muscles and connective tissues to help lower muscle tension and discomfort, improve blood circulation, lower blood pressure and encourage relaxation. It can be used as a kind of preventative healthcare or as a therapy for unique problems including plantar fasciitis.
How Does Massage Relieve Pain for Plantar Fasciitis?
When you suffer from plantar fasciitis, the tissue underneath your foot ends up being inflamed, swollen, and very tender. This can also happen in your calves if you have bad posture.
As far as plantar fasciitis and bad posture are concerned, massage treatment is made use of to get rid of the lactic acid crystals that develop in the tissue of the lower legs and soles of the feet. This helps to lessen inflammatory response and pain.
Massage therapy is also believed to be helpful for plantar fasciitis due to the fact that it increases blood circulation to the affected locations. More blood flow guarantees more oxygen and nutrients getting to that uncomfortable, inflamed tissue. Proper treatment helps speed up the healing process, so you can get back to physical activities faster and enjoy more long-term pain relief.
Which Type of Massage is Best for Plantar Fasciitis?
Considering that plantar fasciitis is an uncomfortable condition, a lot of health care professionals suggest a deep tissue massage for relief. Deep tissue massage is a kind of massage treatment that targets the deeper layers of connective tissue and muscle. It is generally done with harder pressure, frequently using the massage therapist's elbows or knuckles.
Advantages of Massage Therapy for Plantar Fasciitis
Beyond lessening the discomfort of plantar fasciitis and expediting the recovery process, massage therapy offers a variety of other rewards:
- Improves Sleep - Receiving a massage is an excellent method to relax and calm your body down prior to you dropping off to sleep. It can be an effective method to minimize tension, unwind after a long day, and enhance your sleep quality.
- Lessens Clinical Depression and Anxiety - A massage can be a great method to address emotions of stress and anxiety and unhappiness. It's a form of self-care that will deeply relax your body, mind, and spirit.
- Enhances Your Immune System - When you are stressed out or nervous, your body enters into its fight or flight mode. This causes your immune system to decrease its efficiency to prevent expending too much energy.
How Often Should You Have Massage for Plantar Fasciitis?
If you have plantar fasciitis, you ought to have a massage at least once a week. For best results, you can experiment with integrating massage therapy with other forms of treatment, like icing, stretching, and making use of supportive insoles and shoes. Make certain to consult your massage therapist about the ideal frequency for your massage appointments.
How to Pick a Terrific Massage Therapist
When you are searching for a massage therapist, the first thing you should do is to ask around. See if any close friends or family members can recommend a therapist they've had a favorable experience with. Apart from that, there are a few other ways you can find a great massage therapist:
It's recommended to choose a therapist who focuses on sports massage. Sports massage is a type of massage therapy that concentrates on the particular requirements of athletes, including joints, muscles, and other soft tissues like the plantar fascia. To be beneficial, a sports massage therapist should have training in anatomy and biomechanics.
Look at online evaluations - You can discover evaluations for most massage therapists online. Be sure to try to find reviews from patients that have comparable symptoms as you do.
Check your insurance - If you have health insurance, it may cover massage treatment. Prior to making a scheduled appointment, check to see if massage therapy is covered under your policy.
Ask your doctor - Your physician knows you best. If you have plantar fasciitis and you are searching for a massage therapist, ask your physician for a recommendation.
Recap
When you have plantar fasciitis, you can suffer with a lot of discomfort and pain. One terrific way to alleviate this discomfort is by getting regular massage sessions. Massage therapy can help to break up lactic acid crystals, increase blood circulation, and speed up the recovery process.
Contact the caring professionals at Ottawa Physical Rehab Clinic soon and we can begin relieving your plantar fasciitis discomfort. Now scheduling new clients!
