The US National Library of Medicine website has a randomized control trial studying acupuncture treatment for plantar fasciitis. Researchers state that certain acupoints may have a positive impact on plantar fasciitis heel pain.
They studied the efficacy of the acupuncture treatment. Subsequently, the results showed that this form of alternative therapy provided pain relief
Can Reflexology Relieve Plantar Fasciitis Pain?
Some foot pain sufferers seek out help from a massage therapist. While some critics say that pain relief should be credited to the foot massage, others believe that it is due to reflexology.
Therapists explain that reflexology sends signals to the nervous system and activates hormones. Next, the foot muscles and ligaments relax. Subsequently, circulation and flexibility increase. This, in turn, reduces inflammation and pain.
According to VibrantNation.com, reflexology is similar to acupuncture in that it’s based on zone therapy. Mapped-out trigger points in the hands and feet correspond to and can impact different organs and areas of the body.
When done on a regular basis, reflexology sessions can minimize foot and heel pain. Efficient blood flow, along with better mobility, create the ideal environment for health and healing.
Karen Middleton, Reflexology Practitioner, explains that the plantar fascia ligament connects the heal bone to the toes in the foot. It supports the arch, and repeated strains can cause small tears in the ligament. Eventually, pain, swelling and plantar fasciitis can result.
Fix Plantar Fasciitis with Back Stretches?
Contrary to what many people think, Middleton says that foot pain may not originate in the foot.
She points out that plantar fasciitis may start as high up as the back. Fascia run from the heel all the way up to the forehead, and tightness in one area can cause pain in another.
She states that pain resolution comes from relaxing the muscles through both stretching and reflexology. She identifies specific areas to focus on in the image on the right.
Simple Acupressure Foot Massage Device
Ron Jones, Corporate Wellcoach, is a big fan of the Foot Log. Actually, he discovered it after suffering from his own chronic foot pain.
As he explains it, the Foot Log is covered with small rubber bumps similar to pencil erasers. This gadget appears overly simplistic, yet proves very effective for such a cheap device.
Basically, the small rubber nodules can effectively press into the foot, breaking up problematic scar tissue. Within two days of using this device, his foot pain was essentially gone.
The All-in-One Wall Stretch for Plantar Fasciitis
A large number of runners at some point will suffer from plantar fasciitis due to the repetitive nature of the sport. Thomas C Michaud, DC states that many sports specialists believe fallen arches lead to plantar fascia tension overload. Therapy treatments usually include stretching the plantar fascia as well as the calf, plus strengthening toe muscles.
The “Wall Stretch” routine effectively stretches the appropriate ligaments and muscles at once. This video shows how to do it:
Calf Acupressure for Plantar Fasciitis Relief?
Another hypothesis argues that foot pain or heel spurs result from referred pain, coming from trigger points in lower leg (or calf) muscles.
In fact, heel spurs don’t have to cause any pain at all. Consequently, massaging these trigger points in the leg can provide fast, effective relief in the foot.
Surprisingly, you may not even need to work on the area where you feel pain. That’s where acupressure for plantar fasciitis comes in.
See how to locate and massage the soleus muscle in the lower leg:
Plantar Fasciitis, one of the most common foot injuries, can have debilitating effects on our daily activities. However, according to Jeremy Roberts, Exercise Rehabilitation Specialist, you don’t have to resort to surgery or even visit a doctor.
In fact, he explains that specific exercises and home treatments can help clear up foot pain in under a week! So much so, that some of his clients have gone back to running without experiencing any foot pain.
