Dr. Judd Lowrey's Sports and Wellness Chiropractic Blog

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.

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.

With summer nearly here, many weekend warriors are enthusiastically hitting the greens or the court, making the most of longer days and warmer temperatures. Unfortunately, some will succumb to painful soft tissue injuries that are often due to poor conditioning and technique, overuse, or even a lack of pre-exercise stretching. Conditions such as tennis elbow, shin splints, knee pain, shoulder pain, sciatica, and plantar fasciitis are all common in those who play golf or tennis.

While rest, ice, and Ibuprofen are commonly prescribed to sufferers of these often nagging, chronic conditions, many find that these are not enough to resolve the pain or permanently heal the injury. Because soft tissues, that are stretched beyond their limits, develop microscopic tears that lead to inflammation and scar tissue adhesions, muscles tighten up – resulting in more pain and a higher chance to reinjure.

Unlike treatments that are designed only to reduce swelling and pain, Active Release Technique (ART) works differently by separating, releasing, and stretching the connective tissue – restoring the vascular and lymphatic circulation to the affected area. This results in increased range of motion, strength, and flexibility. With over 500 specific moves in this patented technique’s treatment protocols, a wide range of both golf and tennis injuries can be both identified and corrected.

 ART can be extremely helpful for injuries resulting from overuse, it can also be highly effective for acute injuries such as sprains or strains. Both types of injuries result in muscle fibers bundling up and adhesions or scar tissue forming. This leads to lost elasticity, weakening of muscles, nerves being entrapped, and the range of motion being reduced. ART literally breaks this cycle by returning soft tissue’s integrity and function.  

ART can treat a wide range of common golf and tennis injuries including the following:

• Achilles tendonitis
• Back pain
• Bursitis
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Foot pain
• Frozen shoulder
• Golfer/tennis elbow
• Hand/wrist injuries
• Hip pain
• Ilio tibial band syndrome
• Impingement syndromes
• Joint dysfunction
• Knee pain
• Muscle strain
• Myofasciitis
• Neck pain
• Nerve entrapment syndromes
• Rotator cuff syndrome
• Scar tissue formation
• Shoulder pain
• Thoracic outlet syndrome

If you’ve been suffering from a golf or tennis related injury and want to to get back in the game, contact us today for an appointment. You’ll be glad that you did!