Alevia 2 in 1 TENS/EMS
The ProActive Alevia 2 in 1 combines TENS and EMS and offers 18 pre-set programs or fully customizable treatment options with a large, easy-to-read LCD screen.
This is one of the most common causes of heel pain experienced by North American adults. Plantar fasciitis affects up to 1 in 10 people at some point in their lives.
The causes have not been fully established. However, the commonly recognized risk factors are spending prolonged periods standing, high impact exercise and being overweight.
Plantar fasciitis treatment includes rest, icing and use of night splints. It should also include physical therapy exercises to stretch the calf muscles and the plantar fascia.
In addition to reading this article, you can find more information about managing and recovering from plantar fasciitis symptoms here.
The plantar fascia is a thick bowstring-shaped band of tissue that extends across the bottom of the foot. It extends from the heel bone to the region just behind the toes (the metatarsals).
The plantar fascia supports the arch of the foot and helps to absorb shocks transmitted from the ground while walking.
Over time, the cumulative impact of tension and stress on the plantar fascia can become excessive. This can produce small tears in the tissue of the fascia. Repeated pressure on the plantar fascia can then cause the appearance of inflammation and the development of plantar fasciitis. The inflammation affects mainly the part of the fascia where it inserts into the heel bone (calcaneum).
Under this scenario, plantar fasciitis is an overuse injury caused by structural breakdown of the plantar fascia. This structural breakdown is the result of repetitive microtrauma (small tears) to the fascia.
This scenario accounts for many of the observed cases of plantar fasciitis. However, there are some situations when it appears with no obvious cause.
Risk factors for plantar fasciitis include the following:
The main symptom of plantar fasciitis is a stabbing pain along the bottom of the foot and near the heel. Often, the pain is initially diffuse and then later localises to the inner aspect of the heel.
People with plantar fasciitis usually report that the pain is most severe when taking the first few steps of the morning. It then decreases in severity as the day progresses.
Another characteristic of this foot pain is that it usually flares up after a period of strenuous activity, not during it.
Sometimes, the pain can get worse after standing or sitting for a while and then getting up to start moving again.
The pain is also usually aggravated by high impact exercise (i.e. activity involving running or jumping).
Over time, individuals with untreated plantar fasciitis can change the way they walk to reduce the pain they are feeling. Their new gait patterns may then lead to problems elsewhere in the feet or in the hips, knees or even back. Further possible complications include chronic heel and arch pain as well as scar tissue.
To diagnose plantar fasciitis, doctors will usually first review the patient’s medical history. The painful area along the bottom of the foot will then be examined to ascertain its exact location.
Imaging tests will not usually be required. A doctor will probably only request them to rule out other possible causes of the symptoms, such as a stress fracture.
Treatments for plantar fasciitis can be either home-based or provided by a doctor. We will list the home-based conservative physician based treatments first.
To treat your plantar fasciitis, you can follow the following steps at home:
If the above home-based treatments fail to provide relief from plantar fasciitis symptoms, consult with a doctor for medical advice. Physician based treatments can be either conservative or surgical.
A doctor may suggest injecting a steroid medication into the painful and tender area to combat inflammation. However, this is a risky procedure as it can weaken the plantar fascia and cause it to rupture. There is also a small risk of infection.
This procedure directs sound waves at the painful area of the heel in an attempt to stimulate the healing process. However, this approach has so far shown no consistent pattern of success.
This procedure uses ultrasound imaging to insert a needle-like probe into the damaged tissue. It then uses ultrasound energy to vibrate the probe rapidly in an attempt to break up the damaged tissue. Once this is done, doctors will then suction the damaged tissue out of the plantar fascia.
Traditionally, heel spurs were thought to be a cause of plantar fasciitis pain. As a result, they were removed surgically as part of the treatment. However, the link between heel spurs and plantar fasciitis is not clear. The spurs can exist in many patients with no heel pain being present.
The more standard surgical treatment for plantar fasciitis is to detach the plantar fascia from the heel bone. This is usually a last resort option. Doctors will generally only opt for it when the patient is in severe pain. In addition, there must have been no improvement with conservative treatments after 12 months.
Surgery is not always successful. It is also associated with the risk of complications such as infection, increased pain or injury to nearby nerves.
To avoid this unpleasant condition, the following steps can be taken:
The ProActive Alevia 2 in 1 combines TENS and EMS and offers 18 pre-set programs or fully customizable treatment options with a large, easy-to-read LCD screen.
Oppo’s Arch support provides targeted compression to relieve plantar fasciitis pain. Equipped with an adjustable strap for a customized fit. One Size.
The Darco Body Armor Night Splint is the only night splint that actively engages the windlass mechanism of the foot, resulting in a specific and sustained stretch to the plantar fascia, and a sustained low load stretch to the flexor tendons, Achilles tendon and calf muscles. The traction strap allows for minimal ambulation.
Darco DCS Plantar Fasciitis Sleeve – a continuous wave of compression provides support to the plantar fascia.
The Mueller Sports Medicine EASYfit® Kinesiology Tape applications are easy to apply, are latex free and allow complete freedom of movement while in use.
Oppo Medical Gel Arch Pads provide valuable support to fallen arches and prevent painful feet after spending prolonged periods standing, walking or running. They absorb shock, improve overall foot comfort and ward off a host of more serious foot problems.
The Adjust A Lift Heel Lift features 3 1/8″ layers of non slip material that can be removed as needed to get the exact amount of heel base lift required. Latex free and an excellent solution to issues like leg length inequality or heel spurs.
Dr. Kenzo Kase invented and developed the Kinesio Taping method over 30 years ago. The Kinesio Taping method is designed to facilitate the body’s natural healing process while allowing support and stability to muscles and joints without restricting the body’s range of motion. It successfully treats a variety of orthopaedic, neuromuscular, neurological and medical conditions.
The Mueller Sports Medicine Kinesiology Tape – 30m Continuous Roll comes in a box designed for convenient dispensing and features Mueller’s revolutionary wave adhesive pattern for effective rehabilitation of sore, weak or damaged muscles or joints.
Try the Mueller Sports Medicine Kinesiology Tape – 5m Continuous Roll for rapid rehabilitation for your sore, weak or injured muscles and joints. With its revolutionary wave pattern adhesive, it will lift your skin as you move to optimize your circulation and promote early recovery to full health.
The Mueller Sports Medicine Kinesiology Tape – I-Strip Roll will lift the skin to promote blood and lymphatic circulation and reduce pain. It is designed to treat ligament injuries and repetitive stress injuries such as carpal tunnel. It is used by Olympians and professional athletes to reduce muscular pain, increase their mobility and speed their recovery from injuries.
The Storz MASTERPULS One is a new release from Storz desiged for maximum ease of use and portability by therapists who make house calls to visit their patients or who need to take the unit on team trips.
The Storz MASTERPULS MP100 Shockwave unit has the compactness and versatility of the MP50 with added power to deliver the complete shockwave therapy solution. The price includes the handpiece shown in the image.
The Storz MASTERPULS MP50 Shockwave is a small but full scale Shockwave machine featuring a compact design with a cost efficient capital outlay. The price includes the handpiece shown in the image.
The Bio Skin Night Splint provides comfort and support to the dorsal frame with the functionality and relief of a posterior splint. It has an articulating hinge design that offers functional adjustability during rehabilitation. It also provides ergonomic malleolar relief with a wide, soft cushioned metatarsal area preventing toe constriction.
The One Size Fits All Mueller Sports Medicine PFTape® System uses patented technology to bring releif from the symptoms of plantar fasciitis even while you continue to pursue an active lifestyle.
The McDavid Plantar Fascia Support includes a 2MM gel pad for additional comfort, support and pain relief. It also features an elastic stirrup that is easily re-positioned for optimal effectiveness, The support can be worn over socks and fits either left or right foot.
Kinesio® Pre-Cut, not a slap on solution. Kinesio® Pre-Cuts are true field tested Kinesio taping applications. Each Kinesio® Pre-Cut is adjustable and designed for easy application. For the Back, Neck, Knee, Wrist and Foot. Each application comes with easy to follow, step-by-step application instruction, as well as measurement guides on the paper backing to adjust to your needs.
McDavid’s Runners’ Plantar Fasciitis Sleeve will help keep your foot in a neutral position and thus relieve the painful symptoms of plantar fasciitis. The sleeve will be particularly beneficial when worn overnight as it will help relieve the symptoms when they are at their most severe – when taking the first steps in the morning. With its dual compression anatomical design, contoured support pad and moisture wicking, breathable fabric, you will find this sleeve easy to wear throughout the day and highly beneficial in terms of pain reduction.
The Bio Skin Standard Ankle Skin is an all-purpose ankle support that provides compression, added stability and increased proprioception.
For Ankle Sprains, PTTD, and Plantar Fasciitis
The Bio Skin TriLok has unparalleled versatility, delivering targeted unloading to medial and lateral structures.
Waffle Comfort Arch Supports from Oppo absorb shocks to the foot and ease heel and plantar fasciitis pain.