Atlantic Ave Magazine - January 2017 Issue

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health & beauty ║ pain relief
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Plantar Fasciitis… Sprinting
into the New Year pain free
By Dr. John Conde
Each year, approximately 2 million Americans are afflicted by Plantar
Fasciitis (PF). One out of 10 will struggle with it for life. The plantar fascia,
also known as the plantar aponeurosis, is like a sheath covering the muscle
fascicles in the sole of the foot preventing friction during movement.
They may become painful at the distal
end (usually in the midfoot) or the proximal
end near the insertion of the calcaneus,
often referred to as “heel pain syndrome.”
This can occur due to repetitive micro-traumas
of the tissue resulting in inflammation
and thickening of the plantar fascia of the
foot causing knife-like, sharp, burning pain.
At times, symptoms seem to begin “out of
nowhere” however, acute conditions may
occur as a result of a sudden increase in activity,
jumping or agility training, prolonged
standing, and improper footwear allowing
excessive pronation of the foot, particularly
in the overweight athlete.
Clinically, PF presents unilaterally, but it
is common to have pain in both feet. Symptoms
are especially worse in the morning
with the first steps out of bed or initial
weight-bearing after sitting and are typically
aggravated with prolonged weight
bearing activity. Pain is specifically noted
during ankle dorsiflexion with toe-off in
the gait cycle which causes stretching of
the arch of the foot, further contributing to
the micro-traumas.
As a result of persistent pain, secondary
conditions related to antalgic position
(leaning away from pain) by shifting weight
on the lateral border of the foot or forward
onto the toes can present concomitantly
with PF causing changes in proper biomechanics
of the gait cycle. Restriction of ankle
dorsiflexion and Achilles tendonitis significantly
increase this risk. Often symptoms
can progress to the inability to bear weight
at all. If no treatment is received, the condition
could progress to a degenerative fasciopathy
leading to
chronic dysfunction
of the foot or rupture
of the fascia.
The primary goals in
treating PF are to reduce
inflammation, break up
fibrotic adhesions (scar
tissue), strengthen surrounding
musculature and
neurological pathways and restore
proper joint motion. This
entails some simple procedures
including Instrument Assisted
Soft Tissue Mobilization Therapy
that utilizes mild stainless instruments
scanning the fascia
searching for fibrotic changes.
These changes are felt through
the instrument that acts like
a stethoscope to magnify the
“lesions” which aid in breaking
up existing scar tissue,
increasing fibroblasts or “collagen
builders” within the cells,
proliferate and realign new collagen
fibers. New cutting edge procedures involve
the use of high power class IV lasers
that accelerate energy production and tissue
healing by nearly tenfold.
These treatments can be extremely effective
in a short time and approximately 90%
of cases recover without residual disability,
however, the key to effective treatment of PF
is dedicated patient compliance. Please contact
our office for more detailed information
about plantar fasciitis and how we can help
you get this new year off to a running start!
The Conde Center For
Chiropractic Neurology
401 West Atlantic Avenue,
Suite #014
Delray Beach, FL 33444
561-330-6096
www.thecondecenter.com
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January 2017 | www.AtlanticAveMagazine.com