Plantar fasciitis is one of those tricky conditions for which medicine has had trouble finding a consistently effective treatment. Many patients end up having steroid injections or surgery after years of inadequate relief from other treatment methods. For a long time, it was not known whether massage and bodywork were truly helpful for alleviation of plantar fasciitis. Therapists knew that their clients reported positive results, but there was nothing in the scientific literature to back that up. But recent years have seen an increase in studies like this one, concerning the efficacy of stretching and massage therapy as plantar fasciitis treatments.
As a massage therapist, I see a lot of clients in various stages of healing from plantar fasciitis. Some come to me suffering from intense pain, and report no further problems after a few sessions. Others have more persistent issues, and weekly or bi-weekly massage helps them to control the pain.
I employ a variety of techniques to alleviate pain in the muscles and fascia of the feet and legs.
Deep tissue massage to the calves
Stretching and flexing of the feet and ankles
Stretching and movement of the lower leg
Trigger point therapy to the legs and feet
Teach stretches to perform at home
Plantar fasciitis is a painful and frustrating condition, but it is one that can often be managed without resorting to expensive and invasive solutions like injections and surgery. If you live in the Asheville, NC area and you’re dealing with plantar fasciitis or other persistent pain issues, give massage a try.