The plantar fascia is a slim, strong band that runs beneath your foot, forming the arch. It stretches from your heel to your toes.
Plantar fasciitis is when the plantar fascia, a band in your foot, gets inflamed from too much stretching or usage, leading to heel and foot pain. This can affect one or both feet, often happens from standing a lot, and is a typical foot problem for active men aged 40 to 70.
Causes of Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis is when the plantar fascia ligament gets strained or irritated. Constant strain might cause small tears in the ligament, causing pain and swelling that makes walking hard.
Strains can result from:
1. Having a very high or low arch in your foot.
2. Being overweight or quickly gaining weight.
3. A stiff Achilles tendon, the link between your calf and heel.
4. Beginning a fresh activity or boosting its difficulty.
5. Poor footwear choices like too soft soles, ill-fitting shoes, or inadequate arch support.
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Symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis typically causes heel and foot pain and stiffness. This pain is usually worse:
1. When you first get up in the morning.
2. If you walk after long periods of sitting or standing.
3. When going up stairs.
4. Following exercise.
Diagnosis
Your doctor can diagnose plantar fasciitis by discussing your medical history and checking your foot for pain, firmness, or redness on the bottom. They might observe how you stand and walk and look into other factors like high arches.
Your doctor may request foot X-rays to check for a stress fracture (a tiny crack in the bone), or conditions like a heel spur, an excess buildup of calcium on the heel bone.
Treatment for Plantar Fasciitis
Treatment includes simple steps to ease the condition. These steps are: 1. Rest: Begin with rest, which helps lessen pain and protects the ligament from more harm.
2. Ice: Apply ice by rolling your foot over it. Do this for 20 minutes, 3-4 times daily, to decrease swelling.
3. Medications: NSAIDs can be used to ease pain and lessen inflammation.
4. Exercise: Try calf and plantar fascia stretches to alleviate pain.
5. Steroid Injection: An injection may be given in the plantar fascia to lessen pain and swelling.
6. Shoes & Orthotics: Supportive footwear and orthotics can make walking or standing more comfortable.
7. Night Splints: Your doctor may advise wearing night splints to stretch the plantar fascia during sleep.
8. Physical Therapy: Learn stretching exercises, massage techniques, and ice applications.
9. ESWT: Physical therapists might use shockwave impulses to help heal the plantar fascia.
Surgery for Plantar Fasciitis
Surgery is an option if after a year, other treatments haven’t helped. The type of surgery you'll get depends on your specific case.
Gastrocnemius recession surgery lengthens tight calf muscles to reduce strain on the plantar fascia. Your surgeon will make your calf muscle longer, improving ankle movement. It's done with an open cut or through a tiny cut using an endoscope, a camera-equipped tool.
Plantar Fascia Release: Should you retain good ankle movement but still suffer from heel pain, we suggest a partial release surgery. In this, your surgeon will delicately slice a portion of your plantar fascia ligament to lessen the strain. While this operation can be done using an endoscope, the open incision method is simpler and carries a reduced likelihood of harming nerves.
Risks and Complications
Surgery for plantar fasciitis is usually safe, but like all surgeries, risks exist. Possible issues include:
1. Infection.
2. Nerve damage.
3. Persistent pain.
MEET YOUR RECOVERY TEAM
Kanwal Bhardwaj
PT, M.Sc.PT, CIMT, CMNT
Meet Kanwal Bhardwaj, PT, M.Sc.PT, CIMT, CMNT, the driving force behind Stride Physical Therapy in Freehold, NJ. With over 20 years of dedicated experience in the field, Kanwal brings a wealth of expertise and a passion for holistic healing to his practice. Kanwal's journey began with a Master of Science in Orthopedic Physical Therapy from Quinnipiac University in 2004. Over the years, he honed his skills and gained invaluable insights during 18 years of service in outpatient physical therapy offices. In 2014, fueled by a desire to deepen his understanding of patient care, he pursued a manual therapy certification (CIMT). This transformative experience allowed him to adopt a whole-body perspective, focusing on treating the root cause rather than just the symptoms...
At Stride Physical Therapy, we're dedicated to transforming lives. With a focus on the root cause of your condition, we're here to help you regain mobility and embrace an active lifestyle. What sets us apart? Our genuine passion for what we do. Let's stride towards a brighter tomorrow together.
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Health Blog
5 Common Causes of Shoulder Pain and How Physical Therapy Can Help
Shoulder pain is one of the most common ailments, affecting people of all ages and activity levels. Whether it's from a sports injury, everyday activities, or age-related wear and tear, shoulder pain can significantly affect your ability to perform simple tasks and enjoy daily activities. At Stride Physical Therapy in Freehold, NJ, we’re here to help you understand the common causes of shoulder pain and how physical therapy can provide relief.
Physical therapy is a safe, effective, and natural recovery option for those dealing with shoulder pain. Rather than opting for costly surgeries or relying on medications, physical therapy targets the root causes of your pain and helps restore function through customized exercises and treatments. If you're experiencing shoulder pain, it's important to see a physical therapist as soon as possible to get the right care and avoid further complications.
What Can Physical Therapy Do for You?
When you visit Stride Physical Therapy in Freehold, NJ, our expert physical therapists will first assess your shoulder condition. We’ll identify the exact cause of your pain and develop a personalized treatment plan to address it. Whether you’re dealing with an injury, musculoskeletal issue, or age-related condition, physical therapy can help relieve pain, restore range of motion, and improve your quality of life.
Instead of opting for expensive surgery or relying on pain medications, physical therapy is an affordable, natural option that can get you back on track. The goal is to relieve pain, improve movement, and help you recover from your shoulder injury or condition, so you can return to living pain-free.
5 Common Conditions of Shoulder Pain
Shoulders are essential for a wide range of movements, from lifting and reaching to throwing and pushing. However, when something goes wrong, it can lead to persistent pain and discomfort. Here are five of the most common causes of shoulder pain:
1. Impingement Syndrome
Shoulder impingement occurs when the top part of the shoulder blade presses on the underlying soft tissues in the arm, particularly the tendons and bursa. This pressure causes irritation and inflammation, leading to pain, especially when raising the arm. Left untreated, impingement can lead to conditions like bursitis or tendinitis.
2. Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis)
Frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis, is a painful condition in which the shoulder becomes stiff and difficult to move. This condition can occur after an injury or as a result of another shoulder issue. If not addressed, the muscles around the shoulder may "freeze," severely limiting mobility and causing chronic pain. Physical therapy is crucial for preventing or addressing frozen shoulder by improving flexibility and strength in the joint.
3. Bursitis
The shoulder is a complex joint, consisting of multiple components, including the bursa—small, fluid-filled sacs that lubricate the joint. When the bursa becomes inflamed, a condition known as bursitis can occur. This inflammation can lead to swelling and pain, especially when moving the shoulder. Seeking physical therapy early on can help alleviate the pain and prevent further complications.
4. Tendinitis
Tendinitis is a common condition that results from repetitive use of the shoulder joint. Athletes, especially those involved in tennis, baseball, or swimming, and people with physically demanding jobs may be more prone to tendinitis. The condition occurs when the tendons in the shoulder become inflamed, leading to pain and restricted movement. Regular physical therapy and rest are essential to recover from tendinitis and prevent the condition from becoming chronic.
5. Rotator Cuff Tears
The rotator cuff consists of muscles and tendons that provide stability and movement to the shoulder joint. A tear in one of these tendons can be caused by sudden trauma or repetitive overuse. Rotator cuff tears are often associated with severe pain, especially when lifting the arm. Physical therapy can help restore function after a tear, whether it's partial or complete, by strengthening the muscles and improving range of motion.
How Physical Therapy Helps
At Stride Physical Therapy in Freehold, NJ, our physical therapists take a hands-on approach to treat shoulder pain. Through a combination of targeted exercises, manual therapy, and education, we help our patients manage pain, improve strength, and regain their full range of motion. We aim to avoid the need for invasive treatments and ensure long-term relief from shoulder pain.
Our therapists will work with you one-on-one to tailor a rehabilitation plan that meets your specific needs, whether it's recovering from an injury, overcoming a condition like tendinitis or frozen shoulder, or simply improving overall shoulder health.
Contact Stride Physical Therapy Today
If you’re dealing with shoulder pain and looking for an effective, non-invasive treatment option, Stride Physical Therapy in Freehold, NJ, is here to help. Contact us today to schedule your consultation, and take the first step toward a pain-free, active lifestyle.
Shoulder pain doesn’t have to control your life. Let our expert team at Stride Physical Therapy guide you through a safe and effective recovery process. We’re committed to helping you feel better and get back to the activities you enjoy.
