Posts Tagged ‘plantar fasciitis’

Foot Pain, Plantar Fasciitis and Active Release Techniques (ART)

Friday, July 26th, 2013


Foot Pain_Lowrey Chiropractic in El Dorado Hills
Foot pain can be one of the most relentless and painful conditions – particularly for individuals who are used to an active lifestyle.  Pain experienced in the heel or bottom of the foot while walking, standing, or just getting out of bed is often a symptom of a common condition called Plantar Fasciitis.

Plantar Fasciitis is rarely just a short-term annoyance. Rather, it often lasts months and even years – limiting work, exercise, and even just walking.  Common treatment strategies have typically been anti-inflammatory medications, rest, ice, orthotics, and night-time splints. Unfortunately, these treatments can take a significant amount of time before providing any relief for a sufferer of Plantar Fasciitis. Sometimes, they’re not effective.

But, there is a new treatment option for Plantar Fasciitis that is delivering quicker, more effective results. Active Release Techniques (ART) is increasingly being used to treat this painful condition, and this hand-on treatment is addressing the root cause of the pain – problems with the soft tissues of the foot and ankle.

The Basics of Plantar FasciitisFoot pain, Plantar Fasciitis_how Lowrey Chiropractic can help

Because the foot is actually one of the most complex parts of the body with 28 different bones and many joints, it is particularly prone to injury.  The system of muscles, ligaments, and tendons along the foot, ankle, and calf can also contribute to injuries such as plantar fasciitis.

There is a group of muscles that are located on the bottom of the foot and attach to the heel. Along with these muscles is connective tissue called “plantar fascia” that runs from the toes to the bottom of the heel. The fascia helps to support the arch of the foot and stabilize joints that bear weight.Everyday activities place pressure on the plantar fascia, causing the nearby muscles to contract, providing support for the arch and stabilization of the joints of the foot. As the muscles and fascia get increasingly strained, scar tissue can begin to form. Over time, this scar tissue can develop into adhesions which can cause significant pain, lack of flexibility, muscle weakness and diminished blood flow.Eventually, the plantar fascia begins to pull away from where it is attached at the heel. This is why many sufferers of plantar fasciitis complain of heel pain.

An Innovative Treatment for Plantar Fasciitis 

Once a diagnosis of plantar fasciitis has been made, many individuals find that traditional treatment options prescribed for soft tissue injuries are not very effective in relieving their foot pain. This is when ART can be especially beneficial.

ART directly targets the problem in the soft tissues of muscles, ligaments, nerves, and, of course, fascia. This treatment method was specifically developed to locate and treat adhesions that form in the muscles and around the soft tissues. Often times, sufferers of plantar fasciitis who have endured months or even years of foot pain are surprised at how quickly their symptoms subside once they begin ART treatment. Usually measurable relief is experienced after six to eight treatments.

Whether you’re an athlete, a busy mom, an active senior, or anyone who is suffering from foot pain and plantar fasciitis, isn’t it time to try a treatment that is used by professional sports teams because of its efficacy? Dr. Judd Lowrey, D.C. is a trained ART practitioner and our patients have experienced phenomenal results with ART treatments at our office. If you’re ready for relief from your foot pain and other extremity pain, contact us today to schedule an appointment to find out if ART is right for you.

Call Lowrey Chiropractic, El Dorado Hills & Folsom Chiropractor, at (916) 941-7508 today to find out how ART and chiropractic care can help you.

 

Dr. Judd Lowrey, D.C. | Lowrey Chiropractic | El Dorado Hills & Folsom Chiropractor

(916) 941-7508

ART for Golf and Tennis Injuries

Sunday, May 22nd, 2011

With summer nearly here, many weekend warriors are enthusiastically hitting the greens or the court, making the most of longer days and warmer temperatures. Unfortunately, some will succumb to painful soft tissue injuries that are often due to poor conditioning and technique, overuse, or even a lack of pre-exercise stretching. Conditions such as tennis elbow, shin splints, knee pain, shoulder pain, sciatica, and plantar fasciitis are all common in those who play golf or tennis.

While rest, ice, and Ibuprofen are commonly prescribed to sufferers of these often nagging, chronic conditions, many find that these are not enough to resolve the pain or permanently heal the injury. Because soft tissues, that are stretched beyond their limits, develop microscopic tears that lead to inflammation and scar tissue adhesions, muscles tighten up – resulting in more pain and a higher chance to reinjure.

Unlike treatments that are designed only to reduce swelling and pain, Active Release Technique (ART) works differently by separating, releasing, and stretching the connective tissue – restoring the vascular and lymphatic circulation to the affected area. This results in increased range of motion, strength, and flexibility. With over 500 specific moves in this patented technique’s treatment protocols, a wide range of both golf and tennis injuries can be both identified and corrected.

 ART can be extremely helpful for injuries resulting from overuse, it can also be highly effective for acute injuries such as sprains or strains. Both types of injuries result in muscle fibers bundling up and adhesions or scar tissue forming. This leads to lost elasticity, weakening of muscles, nerves being entrapped, and the range of motion being reduced. ART literally breaks this cycle by returning soft tissue’s integrity and function.  

ART can treat a wide range of common golf and tennis injuries including the following:

  • Achilles tendonitis
  • Back pain
  • Bursitis
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome
  • Foot pain
  • Frozen shoulder
  • Golfer/tennis elbow
  • Hand/wrist injuries
  • Hip pain
  • Ilio tibial band syndrome
  • Impingement syndromes
  • Joint dysfunction
  • Knee pain
  • Muscle strain
  • Myofasciitis
  • Neck pain
  • Nerve entrapment syndromes
  • Rotator cuff syndrome
  • Scar tissue formation
  • Shoulder pain
  • Thoracic outlet syndrome

If you’ve been suffering from a golf or tennis related injury and want to to get back in the game, contact us today for an appointment. You’ll be glad that you did!