Here at Rehab Guru in Omaha we Specialize in treating Plantar Fasciitis – Identifying the condition, treatment options and prognosis
Plantar fasciitis is a common foot condition. It occurs in as many as 2 million Americans per year and 10% of the population over their lifetimes. We provide the best plantar fasciitis treatment available in the Omaha area.
We Offer the Newest Technology and Treatment Options Available for Plantar Fasciitis
Watch Diana Schwahn, one of our Plantar Fasciitis Specialists, using our new treatment for Plantar Fasciitis. The sound wave therapy combined with manual therapy, Graston, Deep Tissue Laser, and Dry Needling provides the fastest path to recovery and pain relief available.
What is Plantar Fasciitis?
The plantar fascia is the flat band of tissue (ligament) that connects your heel bone to your toes. It supports the arch of your foot. If you strain your plantar fascia, it gets weak, swollen, and irritated (inflamed). However, there is hope! Here at Rehab Guru, we specialize in the treatment of foot conditions such as PF. One of the most common symptoms is foot pain with your first steps in the morning. Usually, if this does not resolve, the pain gets worse and is present with walking and gets worse throughout the day.
What causes Plantar Fasciitis?
According to the American Physical Therapy Association, some factors that contribute to the development of plantars fasciitis include:
- Age (over 40 years)
- A job, sport, or hobby that involves prolonged standing or other weight-bearing activity
- Rapid increases in length or levels of activity, such as beginning a new running program or changing to a job that requires a lot more standing or walking than you are accustomed to
- Decreased calf muscle flexibility
- Increased body weight (Body Mass Index greater than 30)
- Tendency to have a flat foot (pronation)
- Plantar fasciitis affects people of all ages, both athletes and non-athletes. Men and women have an equal chance of developing the condition.
What are the Signs and Symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis?
- Pain in the morning when taking the first steps of the day
- Pain with prolonged standing
- When standing up after sitting for awhile
- After an intense weight-bearing activity such as running, walking, shopping.
- When climbing stairs
- When walking barefoot or in shoes with poor support
As your body warms up, your pain may actually decrease during the day but then worsen again toward the end of the day because of extended walking. There are cases where the pain is intense and is constant.
A specially trained physical therapist can be very helpful in decreasing these debilitating symptoms.
Plantar Fascia Treatment Options
When you are diagnosed with plantar fasciitis, your physical therapist will work with you to develop a program to decrease your symptoms that may include:
- Hands-on techniques to improve muscle flexibility, decrease the presence of trigger points and improve ankle range of motion
- NEW! We now offer Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT), also known as sound wave therapy, acoustic wave therapy, or softwave therapy. We are seeing great results with this treatment for plantar fasciitis.
- Deep Tissue Laser Therapy (an improvement over the old cold laser therapy) to help decrease inflammation, loosen muscles and increase range of motion
- Graston Technique to help break down scar tissue and fascial restrictions in the calf and foot
- Dry Needling to relax muscles, decrease inflammation and relieve pain
- Stretching exercises to improve the flexibility of your ankle and the plantar fascia
- Use of a night splint to maintain correct ankle and toe positions
- Selection of supportive footwear and/or shoe inserts that minimize foot pronation and reduce stress to the plantar fascia
- Application of ice to decrease pain and inflammation
- Iontophoresis (a gentle way to deliver medication through the skin)
- Taping of the foot to provide short-term relief
- Hands-on techniques to improve muscle flexibility
At Rehab Guru we have a very high success rate in helping to alleviate plantar fasciitis. There are rare cases that require surgery but studies show that most of the time, conservative treatment is a viable option.
Call today 1-402-740-8400 or use our contact page to set up an appointment or free consult.