Plantar Fasciitis treatment in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

What causes plantar fasciitis?

Repeated small injuries to the fascia (with or without inflammation) are thought to be the cause of plantar fasciitis. The injury is commonly located near to where the plantar fascia attaches to your heel bone.

What can I do to help plantar fasciitis?

• Foot stretches: Cross the affected leg over the other leg. Place the fingers across the ball of the toes; pull the toes towards the shin until a stretch is felt in the arch. Hold the stretch for 30 seconds. Repeat this three times a day.
• Ice: Fill a plastic bottle with cold water, keep this in the freezer. Place the bottle on the floor and use the sole of the foot to roll the bottle back and forth. Repeat five times a day.
• Calf stretches: Stand in a walking position with the leg stretched behind you. Hold onto something secure. Bend the leg to be stretched and let the weight of your body stretch your calf without lifting the heel off the floor. Hold for 30 seconds then relax. Repeat five times.

How can Fit For Life NI help with plantar fasciitis?

We offer shockwave therapy which has been shown to be 50-70% effective in the treatment of plantar fasciitis. Shockwave therapy is a procedure where shock waves are passed through the skin to the injured part of the foot, using a special device. The shockwaves are mechanical and not electric; they are audible, low energy sound waves, which work by increasing blood flow to the injured area. This accelerates the body’s healing process. You will usually require a course of three treatments, one to two weeks apart.

When should I have shockwave therapy?

Shockwave therapy is offered to patients with plantar fasciitis, who have not responded adequately to traditional treatments such as physiotherapy, rest, steroid injection, ice therapy and painkillers. It is a minimally invasive treatment and you can go home the same day.

Visit https://fitforlifeni.co.uk/physiotherapy/shockwave-therapy/ for more information on our service.