Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar literally means 'bottom of foot', fascia means 'connective tissue' and itis means 'inflammation'. Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of foot and heel pain; it affects more than 10% of the US population. It is considered a repetitive stress condition where your fascia experiences wear and tear mostly at the point where it attaches to your heel bone (the weakest part). Every time your foot strikes the ground your plantar fascia is stretched, when your heel lifts off the ground your plantar fascia experiences tension. Forces in your foot strike can reach 2-3 times your body weight depending on if you are standing, walking, running or jumping. This extra tension can result in overstretching, inflammation and/or micro-tearing of the fascia at your heel, which your body finds difficult to repair itself. Although it is referred to as an inflammatory condition, plantar fasciitis can happen with or without inflammation. It generally occurs in one foot, however in 1/3 of cases it will develop in both feet. It most frequently affects athletes, people who are on their feet all day and those over 40 years of age (it is experienced twice as often in women than men in this age group).

Plantar fasciitis can be a stand alone condition or it can be related to an underlying disease or other ailment. Many people refer to plantar fasciitis and heel spurs as one in the same. Although these are similar and often occur in conjunction with each other, they are not same. Heel spurs (calcium deposits in soft tissues in and around the bone) can actually be caused by plantar fasciitis; 50% of people with plantar fasciitis have heel spurs.

In any case, plantar fasciitis can affect your ability to do your usual work, hobbies and/or sports activities. It also can lead to changes in the way you walk, and if not addressed, can lead to knee, hip and low back injuries. Plantar fasciitis can cause scar tissue, as well as enlargement or swelling of the vessels that carry fluids through your bone marrow, which can complicate the healing of an injured fascia. It is considered a self-limited condition, which means that by making small alterations in your lifestyle and regular routines you can often control the condition.

Alternate names and/or associated conditions:

Plantar fasciosis, jogger's heel, tennis heel, policeman's heel, calcaneal enthesopathy pain, gonorrhea heel, calcaneal spur syndrome, heel spur syndrome, plantar fascial rupture, calcaneal fracture, atrophy of heel fat pad, tibial nerve entrapment, gout

An Plantar/Heel Spur/Gout Radiant Energy Therapy Device is one of the most helpful tools for a plantar fasciitis injury. Through the absorption of infrared thermal energy, tissues are safely and gently heated - increasing blood flow within the plantar fascia area. Your body's natural response to this increased temperature is to try to maintain a condition of homeostasis - a balanced environment or state of equilibrium throughout the body. To do this, your body responds with a rapid increase in blood flow to the area (this is known as vasodilation), increasing the supply of nutrients to injured cells and flushing out toxins (including lactic acid, commonly found in trigger points) to promote healing. Our Thermotex Carpal Tunnel / Plantar Pain Relief Device provides effective, non-invasive, non-addictive pain relief with no side effects.

Our Cold Compression Wraps are recommended as the best by the Mayo Clinic, several professional sports organizations, and countless medical professionals. That's why we sell them, because they are the best. We have noticed over time that our customers are so fond of our cold wraps that they are frequently coming back and ordering a second one - this way they can cool one while wearing the other. The wraps are becoming very popular with baseball and soccer trainers, and the wraps can be conveniently stored in a cooler for quick application on the field when needed.

Ultrasound Therapy is also a helpful tool for pain prevention of tendonitis, and having a portable ultrasound device at home can be a powerful and convenient treatment tool. If you have symptoms or are recovering from a tendon injury, using ultrasound on a regular basis before your activity or throughout the day will help relax your tendons and muscles, diminish pain and inflammation, soften scar tissue and contribute greatly to the healing of your injury.

If you suffer from mild inflammation or pain after certain activities or movements use ultrasound therapy when you complete the activity and then rest and elevate your leg. Limit the application of ultrasound to a couple of treatments per day (the manual will recommend treatment frequency depending upon the injury). In between ultrasound treatments, maximize your pain relief and injury recovery by using the Thermotex Personal Therapy System. Proven Performance, Proven Relief - only found at MendMeShop.com. If you have been given a treatment plan by your health professional, make sure you adhere to it to ensure pain free living. In general, people who are committed to their therapies and exercises will have the best medical outcomes.