Plantar Heel Pain: The Effectiveness of Sports Physiotherapy

Plantar fasciitis, also known as plantar heel pain, is a very common condition that can cause significant discomfort and pain in the bottom of the heel. In athletic runner, plantar heel pain accounts for as much as 8% of injuries. Sports physiotherapy or sports massage is the most appropriate treatment for this condition.

What is plantar fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is the inflammation of plantar fascia of your back foot. Plantar fascia is a strong band of tissue that connects your heel to your toes. It acts as a shock-absorber in your foot. If your plantar fascia and its attached ligaments get weak and irritated due to repetitive use, then you develop plantar heel pain condition.

Though this condition is common in middle-aged people, but younger athletes or active individuals who do a lot of walking, running, and standing are more likely to injure their plantar fascia. Symptoms typically include difficulty in walking and standing on heel. You can develop plantar fasciitis if:

• You have started exercising on different surfaces
• If you are overweight and causing too much strain on your heel
• If there sudden stretching of your sole or you wear poor cushioned shoes
• If you have a tight Achilles tendon as it affects ankle’s ability to flex

Physiotherapy Treatment: Plantar Fasciitis Massage

Deep tissue sports massage is the best treatment option for plantar fasciitis as it helps to get relief from pain and stimulate blood flow to the area. Your foot doctor will use five primary techniques for deep tissue massage:

• Active Motion to stretch the targeted muscles
• Passive Motion to manipulate the muscle
• Static Pressure to apply firm pressure on specific sore spots
• Muscle Stripping with deep movements to remove knots and toxins caught in the muscle
• Negative Pressure to expand and separate muscles by using suction cups

Consult your local sports massage therapist in Singapore or a specialized foot doctor if you are experiencing any symptoms that are similar to those of plantar fasciitis. Your professional therapist will make an accurate diagnosis and may suggest when to start your deep sports massage treatment session.