By Dave Ballentine MChiro
Plantar fasciitis is a common problem that one in 10 people will experience in their lifetime (3), this can be due to many factors such as obesity, excessive foot pronation, excessive running, also prolonged standing can all be a factor in developing plantar fasciitis (4). Symptoms can be stabbing, local pain in the sole of the foot either at the heel or the ball of the foot, usually worse first thing in the morning or end of the day (3)
When assessing for suspected plantar fasciitis, you check the foot position, the arches, ankle, and knee position, also the general alignment of the lower limbs. With plantar fasciitis it is common to see one or both feet pronated (falling inward), there will usually be a reduced arch (flat foot) and in some cases the patient may also complain of knee or hip pain.
Anyone reading this article should take some time right now to take off your shoes and socks, stand in front of a mirror, and take a good look at your feet…. are they both the same? do you have good arches or are do the soles of the feet look flat? What about the ankles and knees are they aligned, or do you think they are turned inward?
The feet are often overlooked when it comes to understanding knee, hip or even lower back pain, having good foot biomechanics should not be underestimated. The plantar fascia forms a very important structure with various attachments on the base of the foot, which can act like a spring when walking, running or jumping, this area is mobile but also very strong, if not in the correct alignment it can compromise the ankle and overload the knee and hip. (6)
Traditional methods to treat Plantar fasciitis would be using ice, massage, oral analgesics, and stretching techniques. If heel pain persists, then treatments such as physical therapy, foot orthotics and corticosteroid injections could be prescribed (4) But there is another proven method of treating Plantar Fasciitis that you should think about if you ae still having problems, Lightforce Laser Therapy has been shown to be an effective method of reducing pain and inflammation, many studies have shown that laser therapy can help relieve symptoms of pain, Wang et al carried out a meta-analysis which demonstrated the use of LLLT (Low Level Laser Therapy) may effectively relieve the heel pain of patients with Plantar fasciitis, at least in the short term (i.e. 3 months) (1) this form of laser is very low wattage around 2-3 Watts, but there is also evidence that using HLLT (High level Laser Therapy) of approx. 12 Watts in another study showed a significant improvement for all evaluated parameters after 3 weeks compared to LLLT groups, with a greater improvement in all parameters (5)
Here at Wellbeing Chiropractic Health Centre we have the very latest 25W Lightforce Laser Therapy machine, this is a smart device with a broad range of power an applications, allowing treatments to be carried out from very low 0.5 Watt (LLLT) to high 25Watts (HLLT), which is determined by the patients age, height, acute or chronic condition, therefore the machine adjusts the setting as required for each individual, this unique form of therapy has been proven to reduce pain, reduce inflammation and most importantly speed up the healing process so you can get back to doing the things you enjoy.
What happens at my first session?
The first appointment would take approx. 10-15 minutes, we would need to ask you some questions about your symptoms and ensure there are no contraindications to the treatment, the actual treatment time is approx. 4-6 minutes, we would apply the device directly to the skin on the base of the foot, the treatment is completely painless, all you feel is a slight warmth from the laser.
How many sessions will I need?
Patients usually see results within 3 to 6 treatments. This can vary from dependant if the condition is Chronic or Acute, you can discuss this with your clinician during your visit.
How do I make an appointment?
If you would like to understand more about how we can help then you should contact Wellbeing Chiropractic Health Centre, we are in The Granary, Blisworth Hill Farm, Stoke Road, Blisworth, NN7 3DB, a beautiful business park very close to Northampton, for more information and to book your initial appointment online go to our website:
Website: www.wellbeing-chiropractic.co.uk
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 01604 422488
*NOTE: A deposit is required to secure this initial booking*
References:
-
Clinical efficacy of low-level laser therapy in plantar fasciitis A systematic review and meta-analysis Wei Wang, MSca , Weifeng Jiang, MScb , Chuanxi Tang, MDc , Xiao Zhang, MSca , Jie Xiang, MDa,
-
The effect of high-intensity versus low-level laser therapy in the management of plantar fasciitis: a randomized clinical trial Banu Ordahan1,2 & Ali Yavuz Karahan3 & Ercan Kaydok4
