Tips & Ideas Archives

Plantar Fasciitis, Heel Spurs, Foot, Ankle, Knee Problems

 

Achilles Tendon and the Lower Leg
This large tendon assists the foot in walking, bending the ankle, supporting weight and sensing information about proprioception to the brain. It is part of the lever action
between itself and the plantar muscles of the foot. If the Achilles tendon is too tight, it
will inhibit foot movement, and, as you walk, you will cause tearing in the plantar muscles where they attach at the heel bones, causing intense pain.

When a muscle has become stretched to its maximum, this stretch force will be transferred to the tendon. When the tendon becomes overstretched it becomes inflamed. We know this as tendonitis.Plantar Fasciitis is a common disability that is a result of a tightened Achilles tendon. It pulls on the plantar muscle causing tearing. A spur may or may not occur. X-rays show the spur, which appears ominous and is part of the healing process. Soft tissue damage does not appear on the sensitive film, and is the cause of intense pain.

When clients come to me with painful feet, I ask them, “When you first wake up in the morning does it cause you a lot of pain to stand?” “Does the pain ease off a bit after you’ve walked?” Does the same pain reoccur after you’ve been sitting a while?” Yes answers will tell you that Plantar Fasciitis may be the problem. Plantar Fasciitis will often occur when a person walks or stands in place on hard surfaces. Banks, schools, factories, Malls – all have concrete floors which leach heat from the foot and are unforgiving to walk upon./rising in the morning and again after any lengthy time of sitting or lying down. The pain does not always diminish upon raising legs. As mentioned, when a person is a worrier, is constantly “in their head” – trying to figure out solutions, their thinking tightens many areas of the body, including the calf muscles. Often the person is deeply stressed mentally. When a person “thinks on their feet”, the calf muscles tighten. The Mental Balance point is right in the center of the base of the calf muscle at the top of the Achilles tendon. Attached to the heel by the Achilles tendon, this area becomes taught. It begins to pull on the muscles of the plantar (bottom) portion of the foot. The tendon and Soleus / Gastrocnemius muscles becomes rigid, tight.

        

Heel spurs develop because the plantar muscle fibres tear away from the bone, causing calcium to appear in that area to heal the situation- (the pun was intended!) The person may need orthotics to help in reducing the pain. Orthotics are made by all kinds of therapists. I suggest the soft pliable ones so that the person still retains the 150 movements made by the bones of the foot. They will need a superior shoe. And they may never be able to use high heel shoes again. .For Plantar Fasciitis, you need to relax the Achilles Tendon by gentle pinching and manipulation. You also need to relax the ankle using rotation, cupping, tapping, stroking, pulling, pushing, extended traction. Pinching across the middle of the calf muscle is a good idea for relaxing the calf muscle.

Remember - feet are your foundation - problem feet affect the knees, hips, low back and even the neck!