How A Foot Massage Can Relieve Your Plantar Fasciitis Pain
Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common orthopedic complaints, and one we hear often at Foot Palace of Athens. Those that suffer from plantar fasciitis usually experience stabbing heel pain and stiffness with their first step out of bed in the morning. This pain can range from mild discomfort to debilitating pain and affects nearly 2 million Americans each year. The pain is caused from inflammation of the plantar fascia tissue, which is a thin web-like ligament that runs across the bottom of your foot connecting your heel bone to your toes. This thin ligament is the foots arch support that helps you walk. The pain from plantar fasciitis normally decreases as your foot limbers up throughout the day, but can return if you spend a majority of your day standing. We dont often think about our feet but our daily lives put a lot of stress on our plantar fascia ligament.
This common orthopedic condition is frequently found in runners. The ligament normally acts as a shock absorber, and putting too much pressure on this ligament can wreak havoc on your feet. However, planter fasciitis doesnt just affect the fleet of foot. You may also be at risk for this condition if you are overweight, late in a pregnancy, menopausal, or wear shoes with inadequate arch support. Maintaining a healthy weight, stretching before physical activity, and wearing shoes with proper arch and heel support may reduce your risk of getting plantar fasciitis.
Here’s What Our Happy Customers Are Saying
VIVIAN IMPERIALE
These offer the ultimate in long-lasting comfort. I used to have pain in my heels and balls of my feet but no more. I have a bunion, hammertoes, wide front foot and narrow heel, low arches but none of that matters with the construction of these shoes.
RON MAAS
I struggle with plantar fasciitis, and I could hardly believe how comfortable and supportive these shoes are. I don’t think there’s a better brand on the market. I will not have to look anywhere else for shoes again.
DR. GERSHMAN, DPM
I have been using Orthofeet footwear and orthotics for my patients for over 15 years, and I can attest that they offer the best solution for people with sensitive feet, including those with foot pain, diabetes and arthritis. These shoes are designed with unique ergonomic features that cannot be found in any other brand. My patients love them, and in fact I wear them myself daily, as they are the most comfortable shoes I have ever worn.
Belmint Shiatsu Foot Massager With Heat
Belmint is an affordable brand which offers one great foot and calf massager which can be easily used by every user. The massager is designed to be light-weight and in ultra-sleek design which makes it a preferred choice of all the travelers.
The users can make use of its 5 different pressure settings for dealing with any type of pain. The different levels also offer different comfort levels to the users which further enhance the convenience of the users.
Deep kneading and subtle vibrations are two of the most important aspects of this massager which ensures the users to get instant relief against their pain. The air pressure pads of this Belmint Shiatsu foot massager can cover the entire area of the feet and calf and thus improves the circulation. You can also use the heat functionality of this massager to relax your muscles and knots.
Another advantage of buying this spa massager is that it can easily be used for any feet size. It comes with wireless remote control through which the users can control the temperature and pressure during their massage.
The sleek design of this massager simply adds to its charm along with delivering the required comfort and convenience to the users. The removable cloth insets keep the hygiene level high for this massager.
Pros:
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What Were Looking For
Type of massager: Whileyou can use an object as simple as a tennis ball to work out muscle soreness in your feet, electric foot massagers are a bit more complicated. And almost all of the experts we spoke to separated them into two main categories: massagers for general foot tiredness and relaxation and more intense percussive massagers for deep muscle pain and achiness.
One benefit of the first category of massagers is that they are hands-free and therefore more like an in-person traditional foot massage. They also make a great gift for people who could use a little pampering. You simply stick your feet inside the machine or place them on top and let the rolling, vibrating, kneading, and pressing begin. Kevin Conlin, a physical therapist and the owner of ARC Physical Therapy, is a fan of this type of massager because they often use heat, which in combination with the kneading movement helps move lymph and blood throughout the body. Its going to help prevent a little bit of fluid stasis. Thats what happens when were inactive or we work too hard, fluid gets stagnant, he says.
On the other hand , spa-type foot massagers cant reach deeper muscle pain the way percussive massage guns can. So if youre looking for something more like deep tissue massage, a massage gun is what you should buy. McEneaney likes that massage guns are handheld so you can determine how much pressure you want, and they have a smaller surface area so you can isolate specific areas on the feet.
Plantar Fasciitis In Children
Children, like adults, may develop plantar fasciitis from wearing unsupportive shoes or from the overuse of the ligaments. As the condition can worsen over time, its essential to see a doctor for accurate diagnosis and treatment.
You can ice your childs heel to reduce any pain, irritation, or inflammation. Massaging the area lightly can also help it heal. Make sure your child rests and avoids running, jumping, and standing for long periods to help their foot heal.
When your child returns to their normal activities, remind them to do warm up exercises and stretches to keep the problem from returning. You should also make sure that theyre wearing properly fitting, supportive shoes.
All in all, plantar fasciitis is one of the most commonly reported causes of heel pain. It involves the inflammation of a thick band of tissue that runs throughout the length of the bottom of your foot and connects your toes to your heel bone .
However, the good news is that there is a wide variety of foot massagers designed specifically to massage out the bottom of your feet and alleviate foot pain. With the amazing and innovative foot massagers for plantar fasciitis available on the market today, you can massage your feet much better than the traditional hand massage.
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The One With All The Power
Amazon
Dimensions: 13.58 x 3.62 x 9.06 inches | Weight: 4.18 Pounds | Heat: Yes
There are a few shiatsu foot massagers that made our list, but this one tops them all thanks to rave reviews, a great price point and a straightforward design that gets the job done. This affordable style has deep-kneading balls that work into your feet while the heat option helps your muscles relax and dissipate tension. The options here are simpleeither massage with or without heatbut the five carefully-placed massagers target common pressure and pain points to deliver relief where its most needed. Plus, the simple design makes it a breeze to turn on and off with the tap of a toe. According to one reviewer, It keeps your feet warm, you can apply just the perfect amount of pressure required and its super durable. Its a perfect way to end a long day on your feet!
Does A Foot Massager Help Plantar Fasciitis
A massager is a powerful tool to heal the problems related to Plantar Fasciitis. You can enjoy lots of benefits of foot massagers sitting in your home. Thanks to the new technology, now you dont need to go for massage therapy every time you suffer from pain. These massaging tools help in the dynamic stretching of various points of the feet so that you can get instant results. There are two basic types of feet massagers available in the market and you have to choose the one according to your requirements. Learn more at www.plantarfasciitisrunner.com.
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Probably My Calves Are Too Tight
They probably are tight. People with plantar fasciitis do have tighter calves a lot more so than people with happy feet, and also more than people with other foot and ankle conditions. That has only been properly shown quite recently, in 2018, but remains debatable. The link was much less certain before then, and tight calves are another classic common sense thing to blame.
Heres a juicy detail: its mainly the medial gastrocnemius muscle that gets tight, and not the lateral. This information will come in handy later.
The big calf muscles can put extra tension on the plantar fascia. This situation might be a predictable effect of wearing high-heeled shoes for many years, or even just thanks to a tendency not to use our full ankle range of motion a cultural tendency, no doubt more pronounced in some folks than others.
Just for interesting contrast the Twa people of Africa grow up climbing trees, which earns them amazingly limber calves that allow their ankles to bend halfway to the shin two to four times greater than the average urban person!
But hang on to your muscle tone, because it turns out that its tricky to even define tight calves, let alone make a villain out of them. They might be plantar fasciitis culprits, but good luck proving it. Why?The answer lies beyond the paywall
Ekrin B37 Best Recommendation
Perhaps one of the most versatile massage guns on the market right now and one of our favorites.
Ekrin launched their company with this gun and so far its been a great device to have. It has so much going for it, and best of all, it has all the proper aspects for a plantar fasciitis massage gun.
For starters, it has an angled handle that makes its ergonomics excellent. This reduces stress and fatigue on the wrist during a massage.
But the best characteristics of this gun come where it really matters performance! It has a 12mm amplitude which is just perfect to relieve foot pain. It doesnt hit too hard, and its not vibrational either exactly as you need it to be.
Remember how we said that you need a bit of pressure for the quads and hamstrings? Well, this percussion massager has up to 56lbs. of stall force. This is enough to apply pressure on those large muscles.
The B37 has a percussion range of 1400-3200 across 5 speeds. We love that range because it means you can start real slow before you crank up the intensity when you need it.
It comes with 4 attachments, including the most effective heads for a good foot massage.
The build is great with quality materials used. It feels premium in hand. Its a quiet massage gun with a more than decent battery that can last for up to 8 hours with a single charge.
If you love brands that take care of you, then youll love Ekrin because they offer a lifetime warranty for all their products.
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How Often Should I Use A Foot Massager
It’s safe to use a foot massager daily, confirms Dr. Jung. However, you should take care to not use it too intensely, too often. You should never use them to the point where they cause muscle or ligament soreness or pain, and if you feel any tenderness in your soft tissue, give it time to recover and lessen your intensity and time next time.
Medmassager Mmf06 11 Speed Foot Massager
This massager can be the perfect companion that you can use if you have plantar fasciitis. This device is so designed that it can offer you the benefits of professional massagers. The quality and features of this model can be totally trusted as it is one of the recommended massagers by the therapists and professionals.
This electric massager is one of the most powerful ones that are available in the market. It comes with 11 varying speed options . This simply means that this massager can be used for acute as well as severe leg and foot pain.
What makes this device stand out is its pressure point targeting surface which tends to improve the circulation during the massage. Along with this, the arch bar available helps in stimulating heels, toes, and arches. You can also use this machine for your calves and shins along with your feet.
Thanks to the full sized oscillating foot pads, this foot massager makes the suitable choice for all types of feet size. It can easily relax the tensed muscles and reduce the swellings as well. The rugged and reliable constructions with gel pads assure its easy usage even on non-carpeted floors.
This MedMassager is the best for those who are suffering from severe pains and cramps because of diabetes and neuropathy along with circulation issues and foot pain.
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Strengthen The Structure Of The Foot
When plantar fasciitis strikes, the fibrous band of tissue has been stretched so taught that it weakens over time, so building back up strength in the base of the foot and lower leg is crucial to gaining back your foot health.
Stretching the plantar fascia and Achilles tendon will help to strengthen the lower leg muscles, which stabilize the foot and heel.
You can stretch your calves and the bottom of your foot with nothing more than a wall and an open space to stand. Stand with your foot directly in front of the wall with your shoe off. Face the wall and place the toes of one foot on the wall with the heel on the ground and lean slightly forward, toward the wall. The ball of the foot should be on the wall, an inch or so off the ground, and youll feel a gentle stretch across the bottom of the foot. Hold the stretch for ten to twenty seconds and then switch to the other foot.
Building up this strength in the foot again will take time, and should be done by gentle stretching along with the adjustments to footwear and consistent deep tissue massage.
How Does A Foot Massager For Plantar Fasciitis Work
One of the most effective ways to alleviate plantar fasciitis is by using a foot massager. This device uses gentle friction and pressure to relieve the symptoms and promote tissue healing. Foot massagers work by using your thumbs to apply pressure to your feet and knead the fascia. This massage can be done with bare feet or with stockings. It should be performed for one to two minutes in each direction.
Foot massagers also improve the range of motion and general dexterity of your feet. Many models offer air compression, which helps reduce swelling. However, before you purchase a foot massager, be sure to check with a doctor to make sure that it will not exacerbate your condition.
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Massaging The Plantar Fascia
A WORD OF CAUTION: It is not a good idea to massage the plantar fascia itself while it is in the acute phase of plantar fasciitis, as you may make the pain worse. You should only massage it in the chronic phase, when the very acute pain has settled down a bit.
What you need:
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Method:
Place the ball under your foot and gently roll it backwards and forwards while applying a downward pressure. Do not press too hard it should be firm pressure, but not painful. You can cause yourself more pain and injury if you bruise your foot.
Dosage:
I suggest that you do it twice a day for two minutes.
When you wake up in the morning, before you take your first step. This will not only help to decrease the pain in the mornings, but will also prevent the sudden overstretch that occurs when you suddenly put your weight on your foot after a nights rest.
At the end of the day when youre done running around. This is the last in my series of four articles on how you can treat your plantar fasciitis yourself. Massage alone will not be enough to fix your plantar fascia pain. So if youve landed on this article first, please consider going back and reading the others as well. This will help you to find the best overall approach to fixing your plantar fasciitis.
Foot Vibe Vibration Massager
Foot Vibe Vibration Massager This massager is ranked very high by users we spoke to. Those who use it feel it is the best massager on the market. They said it truly relieves pain in a comfortable, relaxing way because of its angled position. In other words, you dont have to put your feet flat on the floor to use it. The massager seems to hit all the pressure points on the feet for the full benefit of the process. All the people we talked with, say they would recommend it to anyone. We give them a 4.7 out of 5 rating. It sounds like a great device.
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Theraflow Dual Foot Massager Roller
The TheraFlow is one of the best massagers, popular for its simple design. Its compact in design, so you can bring it wherever you go.
This massager has ten moving rollers designed to maximize the stimulation of your feets muscles. Such rollers are made with nubs and ridges, which are based on the ancient principles of acupressure.
The rollers are also made of wooden materials and weigh about 1.5 pounds. Its also designed with a curved shape to make it simpler.
- Its simple to operate and use
- Made for different sizes of feet
- It offers efficient relief against foot pain, particularly caused by plantar fasciitis
- Its manually operated, so you need to start the motion