Got Foot Pain? by Aaron Holly – CCO (PT, MSPT, MTC) at Orthopaedic Rehab Specialists Physical Therapy
Are you experiencing pain in your heel and arch when you get out of bed in the morning?
Does this pain worsen with increased time on your feet? If so, you are not alone. A million Americans every year experience symptoms of plantar fasciitis. Statistics show that 10% of us
will experience this over our lifetime.
Plantar fasciitis makes up 15% of all foot complaints requiring professional care for both athletic and non-athletic populations. It also makes up 8% of all running injuries. With statistics like these, it is no surprise that we see a ton of patients in our clinics with this diagnosis.
We know that limitations in ankle range of motion (dorsiflexion) and being overweight (increased body mass index) are the two most significant predictors of plantar fasciitis. The next two best predictors are increased time spent on your feet at work and high volume running. 80% of people with plantar fasciitis will have resolution of symptoms in a year.
Making the decision to seek out physical therapy can significantly increase the success rate and speed up your recovery, often with much improvement in 4-6 weeks. Treatment should include stretching exercises and manual therapy to improve ankle dorsiflexion as well as plantar fascia, and calf muscle flexibility. Treatment should also include exercises to improve foot and ankle strength and overall fitness.
Research shows that using an orthotic, either custom or prefabricated, can be of great help to support the arch and pad the heel. Studies also indicate that the use of a night splint is helpful if you are experiencing first step pain upon waking. Proper footwear, patient education, and taping are also shown to have benefits.
Specialty treatments available at ORS such as Graston technique (instrument assisted soft tissue work) and Piezowave (acoustic compression therapy, ESWT) have significantly improved our outcomes with plantar fasciitis cases.
You do not have to settle for living with foot pain, stop in to see one of our PTs today!
Learn more about Orthopaedic Rehab Specialists Physical Therapy HERE.
Featured information provided by Orthopaedic Rehab Specialists.
ORS has 12 physical therapy clinics in mid-Michigan to care for you.
Reach Orthopaedic Rehab Specialists at 877-202-2175 or the social media links below.
