Are you experiencing pain in the bottom of your heels or the bottom of your foot in the arch? That may be plantar fasciitis. The plantar fascia is a web-like ligament connecting your heel to the front part of your foot. It plays a significant role in supporting your foot’s arch and helping you walk.
Too much pressure on your feet can lead to plantar fasciitis, which is one of the most common complaints our clients at Therapeutic Body Concepts have. People with plantar fasciitis may experience stiffness and stabbing pain with the intensity ranging from discomfort to excruciating pain.
Those who have plantar fasciitis find that massage dramatically helps with the pain. But perhaps you are wondering, “Should I look for a good massage therapist in Edmonton for my plantar fasciitis?” Read on and find out:
Does Massage Help with Plantar Fasciitis?
The reason you are here is that you want to know if massage will help you with the pain you are experiencing due to plantar fasciitis. Well, the answer is ‘yes. In fact, many patients with plantar fasciitis showed better recovery rates when their physiotherapy treatment program included massage or soft tissue release of not only the plantar fascia itself but other leg muscles, too.
Which Muscles Should Be Included When Massaging for Plantar Fasciitis?
The muscles that are found at the back of your legs are connected through layers of tendons and fascia all the way down to the Achilles tendon and plantar fascia. Tight muscles higher up in your body can put more strain on the plantar fascia. What that tells you is that you shouldn’t only massage the plantar fascia and areas close to it but all the other muscles in the back of your legs, too.
Techniques in Massaging for Plantar Fasciitis
Glutes
Feeling tightness in your glutes contributes to plantar fasciitis because it increases tension in the fascia and holds on to the sciatic nerve, which runs through the muscles. When the sciatic nerve is not allowed to slide freely, it can add to pain in your plantar fascia.
To massage the glutes, a massage ball or a roller would work best. You can simply sit sideways on your roller or ball massager and slowly roll over. You can also keep the pressure on tender spots for 30 seconds or so.
Hamstrings
The hamstrings are attached to the calf muscles, which are, in turn, attached to the plantar fascia through the Achilles tendon. For your hamstrings, a foam roller or a lacrosse ball can be used. Simply position the foam roller under your thighs and roll backward and forwards, ensuring that the whole length of your hamstrings is covered.
Calves
As you probably already know, you need to include the calves in your massage to experience relief from plantar fasciitis. Using a roller or massage ball and your opposite leg, apply pressure to your calves and make sure that you massage the entirety of the calf muscle.
Conclusion
You can certainly benefit from massaging your leg muscles when you’re suffering from plantar fasciitis. It is important to go to an actual professional massage therapist for a foot massage in Edmonton to ensure that the proper techniques are used. This way, you can be sure that you’ll get relief from plantar fasciitis and that you won’t cause further damage.
Therapeutic Body Concepts is where you can find a good massage therapist in Edmonton and St. Albert who can provide you with expert services that include massage, acupuncture, manual osteopathy, and RAPID Neurofascial Reset. Contact us today to schedule your appointment!
