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Plantar Fasciitis

(see also Plantar Fasciitis and New Treatment for Plantar Fasciitis )

On a somewhat regular basis I get an inquiry either specifically about plantar fasciitis or a description of the symptoms leading me to believe that the inquirer has plantar fasciitis. Following are some quotes from an eight page article titled "Plantar Fasciitis", written by James Russell Ebbets, DC. The writer is a faculty member at New York Chiropractic College, Seneca Falls, NY and a former member of the Villanova track team. It was published in the Spring 1998 edition of Track Coach.

"Plantar fasciitis is usually found in one foot."

"The most notable characteristic of plantar fasciitis is pain upon rising, particularly the first step out of bed. This morning pain can be located with pinpoint accuracy at the bony landmark of the anterior medial tubercle of the calcaneus. The pain may be severe enough to prevent the athlete from walking barefooted in a normal heel-toe gait."

"In all likelihood the injury is the result of a combination of bio-mechanical deficiencies and training errors. Training errors are responsible for up to 60% of all athletic injuries. The most frequently seen training error with plantar fasciitis is a rapid increase in volume (miles or time run) or intensity (pace and/or decreased recovery). Training on improper surfaces--a highly crowned road, excessive track work in spiked shoes, plyometrics on hard runways or steep hill running--can compromise the plantar fascia past elastic limits. A final training error seen in athletics is with a rapid return to some preconceived fitness level. Remembering what one did "last season" while forgetting the necessity of preparatory work is part of the recipe for injury"

Heel That Pain

"Far and away the most common cause of plantar fasciitis in an athlete is faulty bio-mechanics of the foot or leg."

"Foot problems, specifically plantar fascia problems, arise when the foot is held in either supination or pronation too long. Although a person may have minor bio-mechanical problems that are of no significance during walking, the increased ground contact forces of athletics exacerbate a bad situation."

"Rehabilitative goals must include passive stretching of the gastroc complex, increasing the range of motion, dynamic proprioception and strength of the foot. The use of heel cups and orthotic supports for the foot should be considered.

Personal experience has taught that daily use of the eight board, incline board, heel cups, morning stretches and foot drills will drastically reduce the incidence not only of plantar fasciitis but also achilles tendonitis, shin splints and knee problems in any athletic population. An ounce of prevention is still worth a pound of cure."

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