Foot Pain, Plantar Fasciitis and Active Release Techniques (ART)

Foot pain can be one of the most relentless and painful conditions – particularly for individuals who are used to an active lifestyle. Pain experienced in the heel or bottom of the foot while walking, standing, or just getting out of bed is often a symptom of a common condition called Plantar Fasciitis.

Plantar Fasciitis is rarely just a short-term annoyance. Rather, it often lasts months and even years – limiting work, exercise, and even just walking. Common treatment strategies have typically been anti-inflammatory medications, rest, ice, orthotics, and night-time splints. Unfortunately, these treatments can take a significant amount of time before providing any relief for a sufferer of Plantar Fasciitis. Sometimes, they’re not effective.

But, there is a new treatment option for Plantar Fasciitis that is delivering quicker, more effective results. Active Release Techniques (ART) is increasingly being used to treat this painful condition, and this hand-on treatment is addressing the root cause of the pain – problems with the soft tissues of the foot and ankle.

The Basics of Plantar Fasciitis

Because the foot is actually one of the most complex parts of the body with 28 different bones and many joints, it is particularly prone to injury. The system of muscles, ligaments, and tendons along the foot, ankle, and calf can also contribute to injuries such as plantar fasciitis.

There is a group of muscles that are located on the bottom of the foot and attach to the heel. Along with these muscles is connective tissue called “plantar fascia” that runs from the toes to the bottom of the heel. The fascia helps to support the arch of the foot and stabilize joints that bear weight.Everyday activities place pressure on the plantar fascia, causing the nearby muscles to contract, providing support for the arch and stabilization of the joints of the foot. As the muscles and fascia get increasingly strained, scar tissue can begin to form. Over time, this scar tissue can develop into adhesions which can cause significant pain, lack of flexibility, muscle weakness and diminished blood flow.Eventually, the plantar fascia begins to pull away from where it is attached at the heel. This is why many sufferers of plantar fasciitis complain of heel pain.

An Innovative Treatment for Plantar Fasciitis

Once a diagnosis of plantar fasciitis has been made, many individuals find that traditional treatment options prescribed for soft tissue injuries are not very effective in relieving their foot pain. This is when ART can be especially beneficial.

ART directly targets the problem in the soft tissues of muscles, ligaments, nerves, and, of course, fascia. This treatment method was specifically developed to locate and treat adhesions that form in the muscles and around the soft tissues. Often times, sufferers of plantar fasciitis who have endured months or even years of foot pain are surprised at how quickly their symptoms subside once they begin ART treatment. Usually measurable relief is experienced after six to eight treatments.

Whether you’re an athlete, a busy mom, an active senior, or anyone who is suffering from foot pain and plantar fasciitis, isn’t it time to try a treatment that is used by professional sports teams because of its efficacy? Dr. Judd Lowrey, D.C. is a trained ART practitioner and our patients have experienced phenomenal results with ART treatments at our office. If you’re ready for relief from your foot pain and other extremity pain, contact us today to schedule an appointment to find out if ART is right for you.

Call Lowrey Chiropractic, El Dorado Hills & Folsom Chiropractor, at (916) 941-7508 today to find out how ART and chiropractic care can help you.

Dr. Judd Lowrey, D.C. | Lowrey Chiropractic | El Dorado Hills & Folsom Chiropractor

(916) 941-7508

Tags: chiropractic care, el dorado hills chiropractor, family care, folsom chiropractor, foot pain, plantar fasciitis, running injuries, sports care, sports injuries

This entry was posted on Friday, July 26th, 2013 at 1:44 pm and is filed under Lowrey Chiropractic Blog. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.