If you are experiencing pain in your feet and heels, you know how much of a negative effect it can have on leading a normal life, especially in a city like New York that requires that residents be fairly mobile. Most likely, a change in footwear alone probably does little to counteract the discomfort you feel on a daily basis.
It is estimated that one in ten people suffer from heel pain, also known as plantar fasciitis. Some of the individuals most likely to be affected are athletes, soldiers, runners or waiters, in other words, people who spend a lot of time on their feet. You have a fibrous band of tissue that starts at your heel bone and runs all the way to your toes; it supports the arch of your foot. If it is weak, swollen or irritated, you feel it from the moment you swing those legs over the side of the bed in the morning and stand up to walk to the bathroom. Yet plantar fasciitis is not discriminating – you could have high arches or flat feet, excessive pronation (rolling inward of your feet), wear poorly made or worn out shoes, be overweight, or have tight Achilles tendons or calf muscles. In short, any number of things can cause that suffering heel pain.
Plantar fasciitis can be treated by a chiropractor or physical therapist, and it is a condition we treat constantly at DASHA. A chiropractor or physical therapist can use ART (Active Release Technique) and Graston Technique to perform manual therapy on the plantar fascia, as well as joint mobilization and manipulation of the foot, ankle, knee and hip. A chiropractor or physical therapist may also suggest you wear orthotics in your shoes that can redistribute the weight in your feet through proper alignment. They can also give you exercises to stretch the plantar fascia and your calves.
For acute cases of plantar fasciitis, I also use FDA-approved EPAT Shockwave Therapy, to help break up scare tissue that prevents proper muscle function at the bottom of the feet. The FDA also approves Shockwave Therapy for those suffering from tennis or golfer’s elbow. As always, medical treatment is an individual journey, and when custom tailored, a patient with plantar fasciitis can see his or her pain disappear completely within 6 to 12 months, and often sooner, if the recommended medical regimen is followed. I recommend that athletes suffering from plantar fasciitis continue to train as they undergo treatment to best determine if the treatment is effective.
In eastern medicine, the Chinese are taught that the feet can tell you everything you need to know about the body. They believe that happy feet mean a happy body, which means a happy life. So if your feet aren’t happy, do yourself a favor and get some help. The ability to walk without pain is vitally important to living a happy life, especially in NYC where we all use our feet as a primary method of transportation!
DASHA wellness & spa is a luxury lifestyle brand and New York City-based wellness center created to offer a truly holistic approach to wellness. To learn more, visit dashawellness.com.
