Plantar Fasciitis / Heel Spurs

[Guest guest]

>Dear Master Fe,

>Please, tell us how to treat " Plantar Fasciitis " .

>We thank you for your continued assistance and effort. It is greatly

>appreciated.

>Love and Light,

>Helen and Octavian

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Dear Helen and Octavian,

 

Greetings.

 

MEDICAL INFORMATION: PLANTAR FASCIITIS

 

" Plantar Fasciitis is an inflammation of the plantar fascia ( " plantar "

means the bottom of the foot, " fascia " is a type of connective tissue, and

" itis " means " inflammation " ). The plantar fascia is a broad ligament-like

structure that extends from the heel bone to the base of the toes, acting

like a thick rubber band on the bottom arch of the foot. With a few extra

pounds on board, or with activities such as exercise, the plantar fascia

can develop microtrauma at its insertion into the heel bone, or anywhere

along its length. This causes pain which can be quite severe at times.

 

The plantar fascia encapsulates muscles in the bottom of the foot, but it

also supports the arch of the foot by acting as a bowstring that connects

the ball of the foot to the heel. It endures tension that is approximately

2 times body weight during walking at the moment when the heel of the

trailing leg begins to lift off the ground. This moment of maximum tension

is increased and " sharpened " (it increases suddenly) if there is lack of

flexibility in the calf muscles. A certain percentage increase in body

weight causes the same percentage increase in tension in the fascia. Due to

the repetitive nature of walking, plantar fasciitis may be a repetitive

stress disorder (RSD) such as carpal tunnel syndrome and tennis elbow. All

three conditions benefit greatly from rest, ice, and periodic

stretching. It may also be treated mechanical splints or straps before

considering surgery which is a last resort.

 

Plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain seen by an

orthopedist. Repeated microscopic tears of the plantar fascia cause pain.

Sometimes plantar fasciitis is called " heel spurs, " but this is not always

accurate, since bony growths on the heel may or may not be a factor. It is

common in several sub-groups of people, including runners and other

athletes, people who have jobs that require a fair amount of walking or

standing (especially if it is done on a hard surface), and in some cases it

is seen in people who have put on weight -- either by dietary indiscretion

or pregnancy.

 

The classic sign of plantar fasciitis is heel pain with the first few

steps in the morning. If this symptom is not present then the diagnosis of

plantar fasciitis has to be checked more carefully. The pain is usually in

the front and bottom of the heel, but the definition of " plantar fasciitis "

indicates it can be over any portion of the bottom of the foot where the

fascia is located. Patients often report that the pain " moves around " to

different areas of the bottom of the foot. The pain can be mild or

debilitating. It can last a few months or become permanent. The heel may

hurt or the condition may become worse from the heel striking the ground,

but plantar fasciitis is not caused by the heel striking the ground.

 

Plantar fasciitis is related to " heel spur syndrome " , but they are not the

same. Heel spurs are deposits of bone in the plantar fascia near its

attachment to the heel that result from repetitive stresses and

inflammation in the plantar fascia. Heel spurs are the body's response to

injury and inflammation. Since they begin as deposits in tissue

( " calcification " ), they are a bendable mixture of calcium deposits in

tissue. Pain probably rarely results from heel spurs poking into tissue.

Many people have heel spurs and they do not have any pain. A heel spur

and/or the plantar fascia may " trap " or irritate nerves in the heel area

(if only by inflammation) and cause more pain. It is often difficult and

usually unnecessary to distinguish between plantar fasciitis and heel spur

syndrome, if there is a difference. Causes for the two conditions are the

same. Many doctors use the terms " heel spurs " and " plantar fasciitis "

interchangeably. The phrase " heel spur " is used more often than " plantar

fasciitis " because a heel spur can be seen on an x-ray and because it is

easier to pronounce and spell than " plantar fasciitis " .

 

The condition is usually caused by a change or increase in activities, no

arch support in the shoe, lack of flexibility in the calf muscles, being

overweight, a sudden injury, using shoes with little cushion on hard floors

or ground, using shoes that do not easily bend under the ball of the foot,

or spending too much time on the feet. The cause is often unknown and

mysterious. It has often been said that those with flat feet or high arches

are more likely to get plantar fasciitis (heel spurs). Arthritis, heel bone

damage ( " stress fracture " ), loss of natural tissue for cushioning under the

heel ( " fat pad atrophy " ), tarsal tunnel syndrome (the foot's version of

carpal tunnel syndrome), and other conditions can cause similar foot and

heel pain.

 

There are a number of possible causes for plantar fasciitis and they often

work in combination. Tightness of the foot and calf, improper athletic

training, stress on the arch or weakness of the foot are potential causes.

Shoes that don't fit, certain play or work actions or overuse (running too

fast, too far, too soon) may hurt the plantar fascia. People with low

arches, flat feet or high arches are at increased risk of developing

plantar fasciitis.

 

Stretching and Strengthening

To reduce pain and help prevent future episodes of discomfort, stretch the

calves on a regular basis. Stand with your hands against a wall. With one

foot forward and one back, press against the wall, shifting weight over the

front foot, while straightening the back leg. Keep the heel of the back

foot on the floor and feel the stretch in the heel, Achilles tendon and

calf. Then, switch legs.

A similar stretch can be done by standing on a stair step with only the

toes on the stairs. The back two-thirds of the feet hang off the step. By

leaning forward to balance, the heel, Achilles tendon and calf will be

stretched. A similar stretch can be performed when standing where the heel

is on the floor and the front part of the foot is on a wood 2x4. Some

patients place a 2x4 in an area where prolonged standing is done (such as

in front of the sink while washing dishes). Rolling the foot over a tennis

ball or 15-ounce can may also be helpful.

 

To strengthen muscles, do towel curls and marble pick ups. Place a towel on

a smooth surface, place the foot on the towel, and pull the towel toward

the body by curling up the toes. Or, put a few marbles on the floor near a

cup. Keep the heel on the floor and use the toes to pick up the marbles and

drop them in the cup.

 

Another exercise is toe taps. Keep the heel on the floor and lift all of

the toes off the floor. Tap only the big toe to the floor while keeping the

outside four toes in the air. Next, keep the big toe in the air and tap the

other four toes to the floor.

 

Shoes and Splints

Wearing shoes that are too small may cause plantar fasciitis. Shoes with

thicker, well-cushioned midsoles may help alleviate the problem. Running

shoes should be frequently replaced as they lose their shock absorption

capabilities.

Studies have shown that taping the arch, or using overt-the-counter arch

supports or customized orthotics also help in some cases of plantar

fasciitis. Orthotics are the most expensive option as a plaster cast is

made of the individual's feet to correct specific biomechanical factors.

One study found that 27% of patients cited orthotics as the most helpful

treatment of plantar fasciitis. Heel cups, on the other hand were ranked

the least effective treatment in a survey of 411 patients.

Night splints, which are removable braces, allow passive stretching of the

calf and plantar fascia during sleep, and minimize stress on the inflamed

area. According to several studies, approximately 80% of patients improved

after wearing a night splint. It may be especially useful in patients who

have had symptoms for more than a year. "

 

 

PRANIC HEALING TREATMENT:

 

Invocation and thanksgiving before and after.

Scan and re-scan before, during, and after the treatment.

1. Apply localized sweeping on the affected part alternately with LWG & LWO.

2. Energize the affected area with LWB for soothing and localizing effects.

Then energize

with LWG, LWB, then with LWV.

3. Repeat treatment if necessary.

4. Apply localized sweeping on the basic and navel chakras. Energize each

chakra with LWR.

5. Stabilize and release the energy.

6. Rest the treated part.

7. Repeat treatment at least 3x a week.

 

 

Love and light, masterfe