Plantar Fasciitis: Diagnosis and Treatment

Plantar fasciitis, a foot condition that is often associated with inflammation of the plantar facia (a tough band of tissue running from the heel bone to where the toes meet), is an example of a foot problem. This is often caused by excessive stress or overuse of your feet. Plantar fasciitis, especially among athletes, is very common. The problem should disappear within a few weeks if you get the right treatment. To speed up your recovery and eliminate injuries that may be causing pain, it is important to consult a podiatrist. For you to feel pain-free again, a trusted expert will help you diagnose and manage the condition.

Plantar fasciitis will affect approximately 1 in 10 people.

The thick tissue at the bottom of your foot is called the plantar fascia. It connects to the toes and forms the arch of your foot. Plantar fasciitis is a condition where this tissue becomes inflamed or swollen. This condition affects approximately 2 million Americans each year.

Plantar fasciitis can be treated by prevention. Avoiding overusing or causing injury to your feet is the best way to treat plantar fasciitis. You can prevent this condition by stretching before you exercise, giving your feet time to recover from intense exercise or activity, and wearing supportive shoes while exercising. Don't forget about changing your exercise shoes every six to nine month.

Plantar fasciitis is characterized by pain. Pain is most severe when you sit for long periods of time or get up. Although the pain may subside if you move around, it will return to its original state at the end, particularly if you spend much of your day on your feet. Plantar fasciitis can be caused by high-foot impact activities such as running. You can also get it from standing for long periods. The condition is more common in people who are overweight or flat-footed. This condition is more common in seniors, as the plantar fascia becomes less elastic with age, making them more susceptible to injury.

Diagnosis

Your foot will be examined by a podiatrist to determine the source of your pain. The podiatrist will use this information to help diagnose the problem. Your doctor may order imaging tests, such as MRIs, CT scans, or X-rays, to determine if the pain is caused by a pinched nerve, broken bone, or other issues.

Treatment

Your podiatrist will be able to offer you a variety of treatments and therapies to help reduce inflammation and ease pain after being diagnosed with plantar faciitis. Your doctor may recommend the following treatments:

Medication

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications can be helpful in reducing inflammation and pain in your plantar fascia. A podiatrist may recommend several daily doses that are taken over several weeks.

Steroid Injections

A steroid injection may be necessary if the pain in your feet is not subsiding with non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs. The pain can be kept away for up to a month by injecting a steroid into the painful area of the plantar fascia. It is possible for the inflammation to remain low for a longer period of time.

Physical Therapy

Your doctor may refer you to a physical therapy if medication fails to provide adequate relief for plantar fasciitis. You will learn about various exercises that can strengthen the lower leg muscles, plantar fascia and Achilles tendon. To facilitate long-term healing, the physical therapist may also recommend ultrasonography, contrast baths, and massage.

Shockwave Therapy

Sound waves are used to shock the plantar fascia. This treatment stimulates blood flow to the feet, which aids in healing. It is also known that the procedure can stun nerves to stop pain.

The Takeaway

It is clear that plantar fasciitis can be a very common foot problem. This problem can be treated. For temporary or permanent relief, a podiatrist can be consulted if you experience contact or occasional pain from plantar fasciitis. The Center for Podiatric Care and Sports Medicine in New York is a great place to find a trusted podiatrist to treat your plantar fasciitis. For more information on diagnosing and treating plantar faciitis, contact them today.

Alternative Medicine Magazine published the article Plantar Fasciitis: Treatment and Diagnosis.

Frequently Asked Questions

Complementary and Alternative Healthcare – Is it Evidence-based

The evidence base supporting complementary and alternate medicine is still developing, but there are many factors that people choose to use these therapies. They might have tried conventional therapies but were unsuccessful, or they might want to try alternative treatments because they feel it offers more benefits than the conventional ones. Alternatively, they might seek complementary and alternative medicines as part of a holistic approach to health. It is vital that patients verify that all complementary and alternative medicines are supported by scientific evidence. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice if in doubt about the effectiveness of a particular treatment. It may save you money and time over the long term.

What is a holistic medicine doctor?

A holistic medicine doctor is someone who treats patients holistically. They may incorporate western medicine into their treatment, as well as traditional methods such acupuncture or herbs.

They treat the illness, not just the symptoms. The patient should feel better following treatment.

Doctors must not only treat the illness but also look out for ways to prevent it from returning.

The term “holistic” means considering all aspects of a person's life.

Is holistic healing legitimate?

Yes and no. Yes. Many medicines have been shown to be effective against different ailments. No, because they don't cure everything. It depends on what you mean by “holistic.” It depends on what you mean when you use the term “holistic”.

Many people believe holistic medicine has existed since ancient times. This is false. Although natural remedies were used by some healers in ancient Egypt and Rome, they were not scientifically backed.

The Middle Ages was the first time that medical professionals began to study anatomy, physiology, and pharmacology. In the 19th Century, almost all Western countries had public hospitals that could be used by trained doctors to provide medical care.

Today, conventional medicine is the dominant form of healthcare. But, many people still prefer complementary and alternative medicine. Many people find it more effective than prescription drugs.

For example, some people feel more relaxed after receiving massage therapy rather than taking tranquilizers. Some prefer to eat healthy food over taking prescription medication. Others find that exercise is essential for peak performance.

What is the Difference Between Naturopathic & Holistic Medicine?

The two main types of medicine are conventional medicine and complementary/alternative medicine. Conventional medicine relies heavily on drugs and surgery to treat its patients. Complementary/Alternative Medicine (CAM) uses natural therapies such as herbs, vitamins, acupuncture, and massage to treat illness and promote health. CAM is not considered a substitute for conventional treatment but rather an addition to helping patients who want to take control of their healthcare by choosing what they believe is most appropriate.

Naturopathy, on other hand, is used as a complement to conventional medical treatments. It focuses on treating the whole body, mind, and spirit. There are many kinds of naturopathy.

It is important not to forget that some CAM modalities overlap or complement conventional medicine. Doctors and naturopaths can both prescribe herbal remedies. However, naturopaths prefer lifestyle changes to prescription medications.

Naturopathy is often called “complementary” or “complementary”, because it works with traditional medicine rather than replacing it. Naturopaths may prescribe medication when needed.

There are some differences in naturopathic medicine from other CAM modalities.

Naturopaths are not qualified to prescribe or diagnose medication.
Naturopaths work with the patient's family physician and may refer outpatients to specialists if necessary.
The provincial licensing boards for Naturopathic physicians regulate Naturopathic physicians, while CAM practitioners can be self-regulated.
Naturopathy emphasizes prevention and wellness while providing education about diet and exercise.
Naturopaths are very conscious of lifestyle factors. They emphasize nutrition, sleep and stress management as well as exercise and mental health.
Naturopharmacists are specialists in the use and treatment of specific conditions using botanicals and minerals.
Naturopodists have the ability to offer individualized care that is tailored to each patient's needs.
Naturopaths are licensed by regulatory bodies like the College of Naturopathic Physicians of Ontario.
Naturopatrists can be licensed by the provincial regulatory agencies.
Naturopaticians are registered with the Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors.
The College of Naturopaths of British Columbia licenses Naturotherapists.
The United States National Board of Medical Examiners has licensed Naturobiotic Therapists.
The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency entitles homeopaths.
The term “holistic” refers to the belief that all aspects of life – physical, emotional, spiritual, and social – should be considered when making decisions about one's health. Holistic doctors will consider these elements together instead of focusing only on one aspect.

Is there any way to find out more about holistic medicine?

Holistic medicine focuses on the whole person instead of just one aspect of health care. It considers all aspects of a patient's life, including physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being.

Holistic medicine treats the whole person and not individual symptoms. Holistic medicine isn't about curing a disease. It is all about healing.

Holistic medicine covers preventive measures like nutrition and exercise, as well treatment for chronic conditions like diabetes and arthritis.

There are many types of holistic medicine.

Acupuncture
Aromatherapy
Ayurveda
Chiropractic medicine
Homeopathy
Herbalism
Naturopathy
Nutrition
Osteopathic medicine
Vedic medicine
Yoga

Statistics

In the 17% in which they disagreed, a third reader agreed with one of the initial readers to set a rating. (en.wikipedia.org)
The concept of regression toward the mean implies that an extreme result is more likely to be followed by a less extreme result. (en.wikipedia.org)
An assessment of conventional treatments found that 41.3% concluded positive or possibly positive effects, 20% concluded no effect, 8.1% concluded net harmful effects, and 21.3% concluded insufficient evidence. (en.wikipedia.org)
category.[111]Edzard Ernst characterized the evidence for many alternative techniques as weak, nonexistent, or negative and in 2011, published his estimate that about 7.4% were based on “sound evidence.” However, he believes that may be an overestimate. (en.wikipedia.org)
According to a 2005 book by a US [116]Institute of Medicine panel, the number of RCTs focused on CAM has risen dramatically. (en.wikipedia.org)

External Links

How To

What can a holistic physician do that a traditional practitioner cannot?

A holistic doctor is able to provide more services than traditional doctors, such as nutritionists, massage therapists and naturopaths.

Holistic doctors look at patients holistically. It is a way to address the root cause of health issues, not just the symptoms. This approach helps them identify underlying causes and work towards long-term wellness and preventative measures. Holistic doctors employ natural remedies, such as essential oils and herbs, to treat illness. They also provide dietary advice and nutritional supplements to support healthy living.

Additionally, holistic doctors offer treatments such as reflexology, massage, shiatsu and acupuncture.

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