If you have ever struggled with plantar fasciitis, you understand how painful it is: it’s the sensation of being stabbed in the heel with a hot needle over and over with every step you take. When you walk or run, particularly on surfaces that are unyielding and hard, the pressure exerted by your body weight on your foot muscles can trigger stress on the plantar fascia (the band of tissue that connects your heel to your toes).

With time, this stress can develop into the persistent discomfort and inflammation we know as its correct term, plantar fasciitis. With the relentless ache of plantar fasciitis, your capability to cope with the pain — and your willingness to maintain daily life as usual — is tested.

Unfortunately, there are no magic fixes for plantar fasciitis. However there are several methods to alleviate discomfort from plantar fasciitis, and among the best methods is massage therapy. Not merely is massage therapy affordable and widely available, but it is also proven beneficial in easing plantar fasciitis discomfort.

Calf extending, icing the affected area, and massaging your plantar fascia may all help to reduce some or all of the pain. But why does massage work so well for the painful condition of plantar fasciitis? Let’s take a look at how massage therapy works to alleviate this common symptom of heel discomfort.

What is Massage Therapy?

Massage therapy is making use of different physical moves and techniques to apply pressure to the muscles and tissues of your body, relieving muscle tightness and stimulating the blood vessels. Foot massage therapy adjusts your muscles and connective tissues to help decrease muscle tension and pain, enhance blood circulation, and support relaxation.

It may be employed as a form of preventative health care or as a treatment plan for specific issues such as plantar fasciitis. In fact, massage therapy is among the most safe and non-invasive foot care solutions there are.

How Does Massage Relieve Discomfort for Plantar Fasciitis?

When you get plantar fasciitis, the tissue on the bottom of your foot becomes irritated, puffy, and incredibly tender. This can also happen in your lower legs if you have bad posture. As far as plantar fasciitis and poor posture are concerned, massage treatment is utilized to break up the lactic acid crystals that accumulate in the tissue of the calves and bottoms of the feet. This helps minimize inflammation and pain.

Massage is also believed to be helpful in treating plantar fasciitis because it increases blood flow to the affected locations. More blood flow guarantees more oxygen and nutrients getting to that uncomfortable, swollen tissue. That helps accelerate the restorative healing process, so you can get back to normal as soon as possible.

Which Type of Massage Therapy is the Best for Plantar Fasciitis?

Because plantar fasciitis is an agonizing ailment, the majority of professionals suggest a deep tissue foot massage for plantar fasciitis pain. Deep tissue massage is a kind of massage therapy that focuses on the deeper layers of connective tissue and muscle. It is generally done with tougher pressure, frequently employing the therapist’s knuckles or elbows.

Benefits of Massage Therapy for Plantar Fasciitis

Beyond lessening the discomfort of plantar fasciitis and hastening the recovery process, massage treatment delivers a number of other rewards:

• Improves Sleep – Receiving a massage is an excellent way to loosen up and quiet your body down before you go to sleep. It can be an effective way to decrease tension, unwind after a long day, and enhance your sleep quality.
• Lessens Depression and Anxiousness – A massage can be an excellent method to attend to emotions of anxiety and depression. It’s a form of self-care that can deeply unwind your mind, body, and spirit.
• Improves Your Body’s Immune System – When you are stressed out or anxious, your body enters its fight or flight mode. This triggers your immune system to reduce its efficiency to avoid expending too much energy.

How Frequently Should You Have Massage Therapy for Plantar Fasciitis?

If you have plantar fasciitis, you ought to have a massage at least once a week. For the most successful results, you can experiment with integrating massage therapy with other forms of treatment, like icing, stretching, and employing supportive insoles and shoes. Make certain to talk with your massage therapist about the ideal frequency for your massage sessions.

How to Choose a Fantastic Massage Therapist

When you are trying to find a massage therapist or foot clinic, the first thing you ought to do is to ask around. Find out if any close friends or family members can suggest a therapist they’ve had a positive experience with. Past that, there are a couple of other ways you can find a great massage therapist:

• It is best to select a massage therapist who specializes in sports massage. Sports massage is a kind of massage that concentrates on the particular requirements of athletes, including joints, muscles, and other soft tissues like the plantar fascia. To be beneficial, a sports massage therapist ought to be trained in biomechanical issues and anatomy.
• Examine online evaluations – You can find reviews for a lot of massage therapists on the internet. Be sure to look for reviews from patients that have comparable issues as you do.
• Inspect your insurance coverage – If you have health insurance, it may pay for massage treatment. Before making a scheduled appointment, check to see if massage therapy is covered under your insurance policy.
• Ask your physician – Your physician knows you best. If you have plantar fasciitis and you’re looking for a massage therapist, ask your doctor for a recommendation.

Conclusion

When you have plantar fasciitis, you can suffer with a great deal of discomfort and pain. One excellent means to ease this aching is by getting on-going massages. Massage treatment can help to dissolve lactic acid crystals, boost blood circulation, and accelerate the recuperation process.