Suffering from Plantar Fasciitis? If you have visible inflammation, then your diagnosis may be correct. Symptoms of inflammation include swelling, redness and/or an area that is hotter to the touch than surrounding tissue.

However, in the majority of cases the ankle looks normal and inflammation is not present. If this describes you,  your condition is more likely to be Plantar Fasciosis, a different thing entirely.

• -itis = inflammation
• -osis = tissue deterioration from restricted blood supply (in this case)

This means conventional treatments such as stair step stretches, sleep boots and custom orthotics aren’t correctly addressing the problem.

The video below is an excellent and understandable discussion of the mechanics of the problem, why conventional remedies can exacerbate the condition, along with a description of correct treatment and exercises, and the need for proper footwear (room for the big toe and lacking toe spring), especially in babies and young children so they don’t develop this problem.

Have a look:

This is a condition I can treat using Orthopedic Massage. The pain-free technique involves assessing your foot and toe flexibility, hands-on therapy (softening connective tissue, breaking up adhesions, elongating muscles using active and passive stretching, gentle traction and friction), and I send you home with a few exercises (5 minutes worth) that should help maintain the progress we make in session.

Let me know what foot problems you suffer from and I’ll keep an eye out for good, relevant research and information to post here.